Manchester Theatre Shows 26/27
Looking for the best Manchester theatre shows 2026 has to offer?
Join Cady Heron as she navigates the wilds of high school with Mean Girls, or catch the unsung heroes of WWII as one audacious lie helps win a war with Operation Mincemeat. No matter which show you pick, these Manchester theatre shows 2026 are the must-see productions lighting up the city next year. Who needs a trip to London when you've got the best of the West End right on your doorstep?
Manchester Shows 26/27
Operation Mincemeat
16 - 28 Feb
Operation Mincemeat is the 2024 Olivier Award-winning Best New Musical. It's London's biggest hit with 88 Five-Star reviews, making it the best-reviewed show in West End history. Now also a Tony Award-winning musical on Broadway! The year is 1943 and right now we're losing the war. Luckily, we're about to gamble all our futures on a stolen corpse.
Mean Girls
23 Feb - 7 Mar
Get in, losers; we're going on tour! Tina Fey brought the Burn Book to the West End in the Summer of 2024, shortly after, a $105 million-grossing movie was made - and it was like, totally fetch! Now the 12-time Tony nominated musical, which features a Book by Fey, music from Jeff Richmond, lyrics from Legally Blonde's Nell Benjamin and direction from Book of Mormon's Casey Nicholaw invites you to join Cady Heron once again as she heads from the wilds of Africa to the wilds of high-school across the UK...this time with songs!
Luminiscence
14 Jan - 26 Mar
Discover a world of wonder and enchantment at Manchester Cathedral with Luminiscence. A dazzling immersive celebration of light, sound, and story, prepare to be transported by breathtaking 360 visuals that map a vibrant canvas on the stone walls of this great building, supported by live music and storytelling.
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
19 - 28 Feb
An adaptation of one of the most popular Australian movies of all time, Priscilla Queen of The Desert is the hilarious and uplifting story of a trio of drag queens and the chaos they cause as they take to the road for a one-off gig in a remote town in the outback. Filled with humour, heartwarming moments and fantastic disco tunes, this is one trip you'll want to hitch a ride on. Don't miss out as Priscilla parks up at a theatre near you on this much anticipated new tour!
Barnum
10 - 14 Feb
Step right up and enjoy the story of circus impresario Phineas Taylor Barnum, otherwise known as PT. Barnum, the Greatest Showman on Earth. From humble beginnings to his famed partnership with James Bailey, Barnum traces his career, life, and relationships as he strives to create the world's most spectacular circus.
Mamma Mia!
3 - 21 Mar
The ultimate feel-good musical is heading on a brand new UK tour, bringing the sunny climes of Greece to you in 2025! The ABBA-tastic jukebox musical that started it all back in 1999, Mamma Mia! tells the story of single mum Donna and her daughter Sophie as the latter plans a scheme to find out who her real dad is before her wedding. With some of the Swedish pop group's most beloved songs including 'Dancing Queen','I Have A Dream','Super Trouper' and many more to groove to, discover for yourself why Mamma Mia! remains a firm favourite both in the West End and around the world.
The Bodyguard
19 - 31 Jan
Don't miss your chance to see this heartfelt musical love letter to the late, great soul goddess Whitney Houston. The Bodyguard tours the UK, taking its incredible music and unforgettable songs to YOU! Based on the hit TV film, The Bodyguard is a story of love and second chances, set to timeless Whitney Houston hits like Queen of the Night, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, and of course, I Will Always Love You.
Single White Female
10 - 14 Feb
Premiering for the first time on stage, Single White Female is a contemporary adaptation of the gripping psychological thriller that became a 90s cult classic! Inspired by John Lutz's best-selling novel and the film that followed, this new production brings the story into the digital age, where social media makes our personal connections both more accessible and more perilous than ever. Adapted by writer and broadcaster Rebecca Reid and starring Kym Marsh (Coronation Street), the play offers a fresh take on the story, reflecting the anxieties of modern life where privacy is elusive.
Strictly Come Dancing - The Professionals
19 - 20 May
Stepping out of the ballroom and onto a stage near you! Back by popular demand, your favourite Strictly professionals are on the road again in 2026, bringing this electrifying dance-fest with them. Following a phenomenal debut last year, that saw high critical and audience praise, you'll get to see the talented pros as they shimmy, waltz, tango and more in a dazzling live experience. So get rhinestoning your spandex and work on those tans for this Strictly spectacular affair!
Matilda The Musical
26 Mar - 25 Apr
Roald Dahl's much-loved classic of an extraordinary child with magical powers has been reigning supreme at the Cambridge Theatre since 2012 and now sets out on a brand new UK tour! Combining the talents of Tim Minchin and the Royal Shakespeare Company, this extraordinary show has won seven Olivier Awards and has captured the hearts of young and old theatergoers alike, making it one of the most sought-after musicals of the last decade.
Top Hat
31 Mar - 4 Apr
One of the greatest dance musicals of all time! This West End hit musical heads out on tour across the UK, bringing its effervescent old-school charm to a stage near you in 2025! Irving Berlin's Top Hat is a decadent trip down memory lane to Hollywood's golden age brimming with beautiful costumes and dazzling dance routines, set to some of the composer's most beloved songs including 'Putting on the Ritz', 'Let's Face The Music And Dance' and many more.
