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Manchester has always had a thriving theatre scene, and 2026 promises to be a great year, as there are plenty of shows and plays – new and old heading our way.
We have had a look at what’s coming soon, and here are some of the productions we are looking forward to seeing.
What’s on in Manchester’s Theatres in 2026?
Operation Mincemeat at LOWRY
Operation Mincemeat
This homegrown hit began life at Lowry as a tryout, and it has since hit the West and Broadway. It heads back home to Salford with huge plaudits and a big fan base. I caught this in London, and the less you know, the better it will be. It is original, very funny, inventive and unique.
Operation Mincemeat is at Lowry from 16th to 28th February
Little Shop of Horrors at the Hope Mill Theatre
Little Shop of Horrors
This timeless musical has great songs, brilliant characters and a people-eating plant called Audrey II. If you have seen Young Frankenstein, Mame or other musicals at the Hope Mill, you will know that they have a great track record. Expect this one to sell out.
Little Shop of Horrors is at the Hope Mill Theatre from 25th September – 29th November and can be booked here.
Fun Home at the Royal Exchange Theatre
Singin’ in the Rain is currently packing them in at the Royal Exchange Theatre, and they have another marvellous musical heading there next Summer. This one is a regional premiere. This quirky and brilliant small scale musical follows cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s life, growing up in a funeral home. In a world of jukebox musicals, this one stands out.
Fun Home is at The Royal Exchange Theatre from 4th July – 1st August and can be booked here.
The Memory of Water at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton
The Memory of Water
This one takes you back to winter, 1996. The Spice Girls are huge, Dolly the sheep has been cloned and football is tipped to be coming home. Three sister return home on the eve of their mum’s funeral and sparks start to fly. And there is a Corrie connection, as the actors include Charlie De Melo, Vicky Binns and Helen Flanagan.
The Memory of Water is at The Octagon Theatre from 29th January – 21st February and can be booked here.
The Execution of Private Slovik at 53two
The Execution of Private Slovik
The setting is France, 1945 and this play questions the idea of obedience. A group of senior officers are simply following orders, but this begins to go against what they think and feel. In the intimate space that is 53two, this one looks gripping.
The Execution of Private Solvik is at 53two from 21st – 24th January and can be booked here.
The Karate Kid musical at the Palace Theatre
Following the success of Cobra Kai, we had a bit of a Karate Kid revival. And following a long line of films that have been adapted into stage musicals, here comes Wax on, Wax off, the musical. Will we be waxing lyrical about this one? Wait and see.
The Karate Kid – the musical runs at the Palace Theatre from 12th – 23rd May and can be booked here.
Something Rotten! At the Opera House
Jason Manford in Something Rotten!
Jason Manford is currently entertaining families in the annual panto at the Opera House. He returns to Quay Street, in this Tony award-winning hit which features two brothers trying to write a hit musical. This promises to be a celebration of everything stagey and also stars local favourite Richard Fleeshman.
Something Rotten! Is at the Opera House from 16th June – 19th July and can be booked here.
The Lightning Thief – the Percy Jackson musical – HOME
The Lightning Thief – the Percy Jackson
This tale of Greek gods and heroism has been seen in best-selling books, two films and is currently a Disney TV show. Given the musical treatment, this one is on tour and heads to First Street in time for the half-term holidays.
The Lightning Thief – the Percy Jackson musical is at HOME from 11th – 21st February and can be booked here.
To follow what else in store for 2026 on our stages across Manchester, keep our theatre page bookmarked or sign up to our newsletter, as our team will be there on opening night letting you know what is worth seeing.
Happy theatregoing.
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