WHAT’S ON

Forget about February dark nights and cold mornings by throwing yourself into some of the amazing theatre and music events on offer this February and March. There is a kaleidoscope of colour on stage with shows like The Lion King, dance productions from Dada Masilo and Opera North’s brilliant staging of Tosca.

Family

Dinosaur World Live

The Lowry / Thu 16 – Sat 18 February

Grab your compass and join the intrepid explorer across uncharted territories to discover a pre-historic world of astonishing dinosaurs. Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus!

A special meet-and-greet after the show offers all brave explorers the chance to make a new dinosaur friend.

The Little Prince

The Lowry / Mon 20 February

Based on the world-famous story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Luca Silvestrini’s The Little Prince is winner of the Fantastic for Families’ Best Family Event Award 2020 and was nominated for Best Modern Choreography at the National Dance Awards 2021. The Little Prince is brought to life using Protein Dance’s critically acclaimed mix of dance, humour and spoken word.

The Smartest Giant

The Lowry / Tue 21 – Sat 26 Feb

Another of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s gorgeous books is brought to life on stage in a musical, puppet-filled adventure about friendship and helping those in need. George wishes he wasn’t the scruffiest giant in town. So, when he sees a new shop selling giant-sized clothes, he decides it’s time for a new look. Now he’s the smartest giant in town. . . until he bumps into some animals who desperately need his help – and his clothes!

Sing-a-Long Encanto

Manchester Opera House / Sun 5 March

Enjoy a full sing-a-long experience whilst watching the fabulous film Encanto

Dress up, sing up and enjoy your props bag whilst you learn some new dance moves.

Drama

Spring & Port Wine

Bolton Octagon

Fri 3 February – Sat 4 March

Starring Mina Anwar and Les Dennis, Bill Naughton’s classic play returns to the Octagon. This funny and touching drama follows the Crompton family as they struggle to cope with the ups and downs of life in 1960s working-class Bolton.

Steel Magnolias

The Lowry / Tue 21 – Sat 25 Feb

This funny and heartwarming stage play is based on the uplifting and inspiring film starring Dolly Parton and Julia Roberts and follows the trials and tribulations of six fierce and sassy women as they set the world to rights in their bustling, small-town beauty salon. The fabulous cast includes Laura Main, Harriet Thorpe, Lucy Speed and Diana Vickers as they set up shop in this raucous classic, comedy masterpiece

When Darkness Falls

The Lowry / Mon 27 Feb – Sat 4 Mar

When Darkness Falls is a brand-new spine-chilling ghost story that delivers a twisted, terrifying and thrilling tale inspired by true events. This powerful new production draws us into dark pasts, reveals disturbing truths and explores the power of stories.

Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons, Lemons

Manchester Opera House

Tue 21 – Sat 25 March

Starring Aidan Turner (Poldark, The Lieutenant of Inishmore) and Jenna Coleman (The Serpent, All My Sons), this bold and brilliant play from Manchesterborn Sam Steiner is a tender and funny rom-com about what we say, how we say it, and what happens when we can’t say anything anymore.

Dance

Birmingham Royal Ballet – Swan Lake

The Lowry / Thu 2 – Sat 4 March

The greatest of all romantic ballets returns in ‘one of the world’s finest productions’ (The Observer). BRB revives Peter Wright and Galina Samsova’s glorious journey into Swan Lake with the Royal Ballet Sinfonia performing Tchaikovsky’s superb music live alongside BRB’s spectacular dancers.

Rambert Dance in Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby

The Lowry / Tue 14 – Sat 16 March

Do not miss this truly brilliant dance production written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight and choreographed by Benoit Swan Pouffer. Following its London premier and sell-out performances in Birmingham, this immersive and exciting show has united long-time fans of the TV show and new audiences in their enthusiasm for the ‘vigorous and vibrant performances from the entire cast’ (The Times). There is an energy and vitality that permeates from the stage engaging the whole audience, leaving you quite breathless and in awe of the spectacle you have just witnessed.

Dada Masilo – The Sacrifice

The Lowry / Tue 21 – Wed 22 March

South Africa’s award-winning choreographer Dada Masilo wowed critics and audiences with her stunning re-imagining of Giselle in 2019. Masilo and her company of incredible dancers return to The Lowry with the UK premiere of The Sacrifice – an incredible production featuring musicians live on stage, who interact with the dancers in the most amazing way to ensure this is one of the most memorable and beautiful dance shows that you will see this year .

Opera Opera North

The Lowry / Tue 7 – Sat 11 Mar

The amazing Opera North return to The Lowry with three new productions. The headline show is undoubtedly Puccini’s Tosca with its high-octane score and stunning sets, but don’t miss the sumptuous production of Strauss’ Ariadne auf Naxos or the beautiful Cunning Little Vixen

Music

The Matt Goss Experience

Bridgewater Hall / Fri 10 March

Join legendary Bros front man, Matt Goss, as he celebrates his biggest hits, performs new original music and gives a personal tribute to one of the greatest songwriters ever, Cole Porter. This is an evening of unashamed swing, glitz and swagger by one of the UK’s best showmen who, having headlined Las Vegas for 11 years, is the consummate entertainer and is supported here by some of the best big band musicians in the country and the amazing Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

Death Cab For Cutie

O2 Apollo / Sat 25 March

Death Cab For Cutie are back with tenth studio album Asphalt Meadows, the follow up to 2018’s Thank You for Today, reaffirming their lasting artistic legacy.

The Sunday Boys

The Lowry / Sun 2 April

The Sunday Boys present an evening of songs and stories of HIV past, present and future, including well-known songs from stage and screen – an exploration of HIV’s influence on society, culture and music from 1981 to the present day and beyond.

Musicals

The Lion King

Palace Theatre / Until 11 March

This is a truly beautiful musical featuring over 200 amazing puppets, fabulous songs and sets all combining to make this a unique and memorable theatre experience.

My Fair Lady

Palace Theatre / 22 March – 1 April

This glorious production of Lerner & Loewe’s world-famous musical features the much-loved classic songs I Could Have Danced All Night, Get Me to the Church on Time, Wouldn’t It Be Loverly and On the Street Where You Live Michael D. Xavier stars as Henry Higgins, Charlotte Kennedy as Eliza Doolittle and EastEnders’ Adam Woodyatt plays the role of Alfred P. Doolittle with soprano Lesley Garrett playing Mrs Pearce.

Audience With

An Evening with Priscilla Presley

Manchester Opera House / Sun 2 April

Priscilla is the former wife of Elvis Presley and star of many classic film and TV series, including Naked Gun and Dallas. In intimate conversation with Radio and TV presenter Edith Bowman, she will be sharing personal stories from her illustrious career, life and marriage to the ‘King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’. Audiences will be treated to never-before-seen home footage of Priscilla and Elvis Presley.