What’s On

There are some amazing new shows to enjoy in June and July, including the brand-new, must-see musical Identical (based on The Parent Trap) and the long-anticipated return of Derren Brown with his new show Showman after six years away from the stage. The glorious event that is Manchester Day is back too and world-class musical stars, such as Kerry Ellis and Keala Settle, are here to entertain us in the theatre

Drama

Blood Harmony

The Lowry: Fri 10 – Sat 18 June Award-winning theatre company ThickSkin makes a thrilling return to the stage with this highly visual and musically charged production. Soaring music by Atlantic Records artists The Staves combines with dynamic movement and bold new writing in this compelling, intimate reflection on grief and the invisible bonds within families. Blood Harmony is a play with songs that’ll make you want to pull your family a little closer and hold them a little tighter.

We Should Definitely Have More Dancing

Oldham Coliseum: Fri 17 June – Sat 2 July Written by Clara Dancy and Ian Kershaw, the production is based on Clara's astonishing real-life story and performed by the actress herself with friends, We Should Definitely Have More Dancing explores the things that define us, that fill us up and make us who we are – a cautionary postcard from the edge of life, stuffed full of heart and love and dancing.

Cluedo

The Lowry: Mon 27 June – Sat 2 July Based on the classic detective board game loved by generations and the hit 1985 film Clue, the brand-new stage play of Cluedo stars Michelle Collins and is directed by Mark Bell, director of the award-winning The Play That Goes Wrong and A Comedy About a Bank Robbery and just like the game, it promises audiences of all ages a nostalgic, fun and thrilling evening of entertainment.

Children & Family

Sing-a-Long-a Encanto

The Lowry: Sat 11 June From the producers of Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music and Sing-a-Long-a Frozen, this is the brand-new smash hit film musical of 2021 about the Family Madigral – complete with lyrics on screen – that everyone can’t stop singing. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged and full audience participation essential. You, the audience, are the stars!

Fireman Sam

The Lowry: Sun 19 June Join Sam, Penny, Elvis, Station Officer Steele and Norman in an all-singing, dancing and action-packed show. You can become a firefighter cadet and then watch the magic of the circus. So, come along to Pontypandy and watch the adventures unfold!

Manchester Day

Sun 19 June | manchesterday.co.uk Back for its first outing since 2019 with a fabulous parade accompanied by music and dance in the city centre squares – don’t miss this brilliant free day out in Manchester.

In The Night Garden

The Lowry: Sat 25 June You’ll see all your favourite characters beautifully brought to life with full-size costumes, magical puppets and enchanting music. This show lasts just under an hour and your little ones will be amazed when they see a very special visit from the amazing flying Pinky Ponk.

A Fright In The Museum

Stockport Plaza: Sat 25 June An hilarious comedy slapstick adventure for all the family starring Clive Webb, Danny Adams and Mick Potts. Magic, mayhem and laughter.

The Gruffalo

The Lowry: Sat 30 July – Sun 21 August Spend some time over the summer on a daring adventure through the deep dark wood. Songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged three and up and their grown-ups in the much-loved show that’s toured Britain and the world! There is a Relaxed Performance on 11th August, BSL on 6th August and Audio Described on 13th August – visit thelowry.com for more details.

Dance

Oti Mabuse – I Am Here

The Lowry: Wed 22 & Thu 23 June Prepare for a night of electrifying choreography as Strictly star Oti Mabuse takes us on a whirlwind celebration of the influences and inspirations that are part of her journey, from growing up in South Africa to following her dream. From mesmerizing jives and pumping sambas to South Africa’s exhilarating kwaito, this is an explosive night of dance and music to set your heart racing.

Anton Du Beke & Giovanni Pernice – Him & Me!

The Lowry: Sun 26 June Strictly Come Dancing professionals Anton and Giovanni join forces in for their first-ever tour together. The ‘King of Ballroom’ and the two-time Guinness World Record holder will be joined by a world-class cast of dancers and singers. A true dance extravaganza!

Musicals

Anything Goes

Palace Theatre: Thu 9 – Sat 18 June Starring multi-award winner Kerry Ellis and Olivier Award winner Denis Lawson and featuring a 50-strong cast and a

full-sized live orchestra, this uplifting production of Anything Goes features heartwarming romance, farcical fun and spectacular, show-stopping dance routines. Cole Porter’s joyful score includes I Get a Kick Out of You, You’re the Top and the irrepressible Anything Goes.

Sister Act

Palace Theatre: Mon 27 June – Sat 9 July This eagerly anticipated, brand-new production of the Broadway and UK smash hit musical features an all-star cast, including national treasure and comedy legend Jennifer Saunders as Mother Superior and The Greatest Showman’s incredible Keala Settle. With original music by Tony and eight-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (Disney’s Aladdin, Enchanted) and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, this heavenly musical is joyous and uplifting in equal measures.

South Pacific

Manchester Opera House: Sat 16 – Sat 23 July This powerful love story, set on a South Pacific island during World War ll, is brought thrillingly to life in an epic new production directed by Chichester Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Daniel Evans. With a sensational cast of over thirty, led by Julian Ovenden and Gina Beck, and a full orchestra, this fabulous musical boasts one of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most memorable scores, featuring songs such as Some Enchanted Evening, I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair and Bali Ha’i.

SIX

The Lowry: Tue 2 – Sun 14 August The international smash hit musical SIX makes its royal return to Salford. Multi-award-winning, with a spectacularly successful soundtrack storming charts across the globe, this sell-out Tudor take-off sees the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st-century girl power. Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE!

Identical

The Lowry: Fri 19 August – Sat 3 September This fabulous new musical is based on the novel The Parent Trap by Erich Kastner and probably best known for the ever-popular Disney movies, which made stars of Hayley Mills in 1961 and Lindsay Lohan in 1998. This world premiere is directed by Trevor Nunn, responsible for some of the world’s greatest musicals, and comes from the producer of Top Hat, The Play That Goes Wrong and the international hit musical SIX.

Identical has music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe, the multi-award-winning writers of the West End hit Honk!, who also created a new score for the international smash-hit Cameron Mackintosh/Disney production of Mary Poppins and a book by Stuart Paterson. Age guidance 8+

Circus

Kundle Cru – Blame Game

The Lowry: Thu 23 June By fusing breakdancing, juggling, Chinese pole, krump and house dance, Kundle Cru have created a textured and surprising movement language. In their new work, Blame Game, they combine this physically brilliant style with humour and music in an energetic and explosive event, which celebrates urban dance and circus.

An audience with

Graeme Hall The Dogfather

The Lowry: Sun 12 June Graeme Hall from Channel 5’s Dogs Behaving Very Badly brings his wisdom, charm and puppy prowess to The Lowry stage in a 90-minute show filled with memories, surprises and an exclusive Q&A. A must for all dog owners!

The Guilty Feminist Live

The Lowry: Fri 17 June Hosted by Deborah Frances-White and featuring world-class guests, The Guilty Feminist is part comedy, part deep-dive discussion and part activism.

Derren Brown – Showman

The Lowry: Tue 5 – Sat 16 July The multi-award-winning master of mind control and psychological illusion Derren Brown is at his very best on stage. His one-man shows have received wide critical acclaim and more Olivier wins and nominations than any other in history! Now, with his first brand-new theatre show in six years, Derren Brown returns to astonish and amaze audiences up and down the country. The content of Showman remains a closely guarded secret, but if you’ve seen him before, you know you’re in for a powerhouse treat.