Opera House, Manchester

Opera House, Manchester
Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP Street map

Buy Tickets: 0844 847 1722 - or use the online links below

Spring Summer 2008 Season at The Opera House, Manchester:

The Solid Silver 60s Show
Wednesday 16 April 2008

Dave Spikey
Friday 18 April 2008

Indiana Chuckles and the Kingdom of the Mythical Sulk
Saturday 19 April 2008
In a faraway land that time forgot, the ancient treasures and mysteries of an old and forgotten tribe lay in hiding for only the brave (and the mistaken) to find...! One day Paul and Barry see a job advertisement in the paper. But they can't read the print very well as someone has spilt tomato ketchup on the article. They think it reads ‘Reward for anyone brave enough to travel’. The rest of the article is smudged and can’t be seen. Paul says: "We can do that!" Barry replied: "Oh dear oh dear, something isn't right!" And so it was that our hapless heroes set off on another adventure full of mistakes, pitfalls and danger! Guaranteed fun and thrills for all the family from 3 to 103 is promised when The Chuckle Brothers visit The Opera House Theatre Manchester - book early to avoid disappointment.

Thomas & Friends Live! On Stage
Friday 25 to Sunday 27 April 2008
Peep! Peep! All aboard as everyone’s No.1 Engine makes tracks to Manchester to appear on stage at The Opera House Theatre in this all-new musical production. The show includes both new railway-themed songs, as well as much loved classic sing-a-longs such as Roll Call and Good Morning and tells the story of Thomas and his engine friends as they work together as 'Really Useful Engines' to get the railway ready for Sodor's Magic Lantern Festival.

Revenge of a Black Woman
Saturday 3 May 2008

Fureys & Davey Arthur
Tuesday 6 May 2008
The legends of Irish Music, The Fureys and Davey Arthur, celebrate their 30th anniversary with the release of a live DVD and CD. They have tours booked on all continents where they will bring their music, songs and storeys to generations who have enjoyed them over the years. So don't miss this opportunity at The Opera House in Manchester when you can hear them sing all their hits including When you were sweet 16; The Green Fields of France; The Old Man; Red Rose Café; From Clare to Here; Her father didn't like me anyway; Leaving Nancy; Steal Away; and many more.

Sandra Bernhard
Friday 9 May 2008
One of America's greatest icons, the star of Roseanne and The King of Comedy brings her new show to the UK for one night only: a 20th anniversary reworking of the classic Without You I'm Nothing, a unique mash-up of outrageous diatribes, lethal satire and sizzling rock'n'roll. With support from Tina C.

Playhouse Disney Live! On Tour
Friday 16 to Sunday 18 May 2008
Blast off to adventure with your favorite Playhouse Disney pals when Playhouse Disney Live! comes to the Manchester Opera House Theatre this May! Climb aboard and get ready to explore with the Little Einsteins Leo, Annie, Quincy and June on an important musical mission; say 'Meeska Mooska Mickey Mouse' and sing along with Mickey and the gang at the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse; and stop by Sheetrock Hills where Handy Manny always has the right tools for fun fix-it adventures! Get ready to laugh, sing and play along at a live show that lets kids join in on the fun!

David Essex
Thursday 22 May 2008
Relive the magic of David Essex live in concert at The Opera House Theatre Manchester this May. Since the 70s right up to the current day, David has been a national treasure and has captured many thousands of hearts as an accomplished stage and screen star as well as a chart topping singer. This concert brings together all the favourite hits including Hold Me Close, Gonna Make You A Star and his debut hit Rock On, together with tracks from his latest album.

Rockin On Heaven's Door
Friday 23 May 2008
Rockin' On Heaven's Door sends shivers down the spine with spookily convincing portrayals of musical giants Presley, Orbison, Holly, Cochran and The Big Bopper. They are joined on stage by guest artiste Jerry Lee Lewis, whose piano bursts into 'flames' during 'Great balls of Fire'. Now in its 10th fantastic year, Rockin' On Heaven's Door comes to the Manchester Opera House for one night only backed by a superb five piece band. This show promises to delivers the feel-good factor from start to finish.

Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs
Saturday 24 May 2008
Based on the bestselling children's book and top rated television show Harry and His Bucket Full of Dinosaurs is the adventure of a life time for 3-8 year olds. Harry couldn't have timed his discovery better, as five years old is EXACTLY the right age to discover dinosaurs! It happened two days ago, in the attic with Gran. It was a moment that Harry would remember for the rest of his life. Harry shone his torch inside a dusty old box, that must have lain untouched for millions of years, and there staring back at him were his six new best friends. Six toy dinosaurs! This brand new show takes us into the imagination of five-year-old Harry, whose toy dinosaurs are as real to him as the bucket he carries them in.

My Dream (One Thousand Hands Bodhisattva) the Chinese In Britain Forum
Friday 30 and Saturday 31 May 2008

Tony Stockwell
Tuesday 3 June 2008

Glitz, Blitz and Hitz
Wednesday 4 June 2008
Featuring Showaddywaddy who became one of the biggest groups of the 70's and dominated the British charts, spending an impressive 209 weeks in the top 40s. Joining Showaddywaddy on this spectacular bill is one of the biggest glam-rock bands of the era, Sweet - the quintessential 70's glam rock band who've had 17 charting hits and spent over 3 years in the UK charts alone. Completing this classic bill, will be the Rubettes (featuring Alan Williams) who made No.1 in 1974 with their very first single, 'Sugar Baby Love', and after which they had a further 15 international hits establishing themselves, with their flamboyant Gatsby appearance, as one of the icons of the 70's Glam Rock era.

Cole Page: an Evening of Swing and Big Band
Friday 6 June 2008
Don't miss Manchester born Cole Page with his individual style and soothing voice, perfect for swing music. Cole's ability to negotiate the wonderful songs that he performs and communicate with an audience is second to none and is what separates him from the rest.

Leonard Cohen
Tuesday 17 to Friday 20 June 2008
SOLD OUT

Evita
Monday 23 June to Saturday 5 July 2008
A brand new national touring production of the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd-Webber musical comes to the Opera House Theatre in Manchester this June for a two week season. Featuring some of the most famous and inspiring stage music ever written, including the classic songs Don't Cry For Me Argentina; On This Night of a Thousand Stars; and Buenos Aires. Evita brings to life the dynamic persona of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron. With more than 20 major awards to its credit and featuring one of the most coveted roles in musical theatre, this brand new production of the smash hit show truly promises to be the theatrical event of the year!

Remember When
Tuesday 12 August 2008
An afternoon concert of songs made famous by the likes of Doris Day, Bing Crosby, Julie Andrews, Max Bygraves, Vera Lynn and many more. A wonderful feelgood show of music nostalgia and good old fashioned fun.

Lazytown Live!
Thursday 21 to Sunday 24 August 2008
Welcome to LazyTown Live! - The Show with Go! The funniest and freshest, award-winning show of the moment, packed with moves, music, fun and a great story, all set in this amazingly colourful, fast-paced, upside-down world. LazyTown may have the laziest name on Earth, but it's packed with action, energy and a powerful message that will energise and inspire children everywhere. Featuring an all new UK cast. Running time approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes including one 20 minute interval.

Don Cossacks State Dance Company
Thursday 11 September 2008
Direct from Russia, the Don Cossacks State Dance Company are appearing at the Manchester Opera House as part of their first UK Tour. This sensational, internationally acclaimed company company of 40 dancers and muscians is widely acknowledged as Russia's premiere Cossack Dance Troupe.

Barney Live! the Let's Go Tour
Saturday 13 September 2008

An Evening of Clairvoyance with Colin Fry
Monday 22 September 2008

Level 42
Saturday 4 October 2008

Witches of Eastwick
Monday 13 to Saturday 18 October 2008
When three desperate housewives in small town America wish for the man of their dreams they get more far more than they bargain for. All hell breaks loose – quite literally – when Daryl Van Horne arrives in their sleepy town. Marti Pellow stars as the devilish Daryl Van Horne in The Witches of Eastwick, a bewitching musical based on the Warner Brothers motion picture starring Jack Nicholson, Michelle Pfeiffer and Cher.

That'll Be the Day
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Back at The Opera House by overwhelming public demand, the legendary That'll Be The Day returns with a brand new 2008 show. Established as the Nations Favourite Rock'n'Roll variety show, this all new production features classic gold hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s combined with feel-good comedy routines to make this show bigger and better than ever!

Russell Howard
Wednesday 22 October 2008
Russell was nominated for The If.Comedy Award at the Edinburgh festival in 2006 and The Barry Award at the Melbourne comedy festival in 2007. Things have been pretty hectic since then. In 2007 his Spring and Autumn tours sold out before they had even begun and his sell-out Edinburgh Festival run could not add extra shows fast enough to keep up with demand. This is your chance to see Russell Howard when he comes to Manchester as part of his Autumn 2008 Tour.

Paddy McGuinness
Saturday 25 October 2008
Paddy hits the road again with his eagerly awaited brand new show 'Paddy McGuinness Plus You' which comes to the Opera House Theatre in Manchester this October. Paddy's last tour 'The Dark Side' was the fastest selling of 2006 taking in 115 sold out dates selling more than 160,000 tickets. His following live debut DVD entered the comedy charts at No 1 and has currently sold in excess of 250,000 copies. Please Note: Recommended for over 16's only.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Tuesday 28 October to Saturday 1 November 2008
Set in Oregon in 1850 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers is the story of Adam, the eldest of seven brothers, who goes to town to get a wife. He convinces Milly to marry him that same day. They return to his backwoods home. Only then does she discover he has six brothers - all living in his cabin. Milly sets out to reform the uncouth siblings, who are anxious to get wives of their own. Then, after reading about the Roman capture of the Sabine women, Adam develops an inspired solution to his brothers' loneliness... kidnap the women they want! Featuring classic songs including: Bless your Beautiful Hide; Wonderful Wonderful Day; Goin' Courtin'; Sobbin' Women; Lonesome Polecat; Spring, Spring, Spring; Love Never Goes Away; and We Gotta Make It Through the Winter. A glorious romp, brimful of hand clapping effervescent energy, dazzling dance routines and sixteen smash hit showstoppers by Johnny Mercer and Gene de Paul, it perfectly integrates song, dance, and story. Colourful costumes, fabulous sets, sassy performances, this breathtaking production is guaranteed to put a spring in your step and a tune on your lips. It’s toe-tapping good!

For the Love of Mrs Brown
Tuesday 4 to 8 November 2008
We've followed Agnes Brown through many family traumas in Brendan O’Carroll’s hilarious Mrs Brown Trilogy comedy of the Last Wedding, Good Mourning Mrs Brown and Mrs Brown Rides Again. Well now it's time for part four of the trilogy with the brand spanking new For the Love of Mrs Brown which comes to the Oper House Manchester this coming November. Having discovered the internet, Agnes Brown accidentally sets up a date with a man she only knows as HairyHarry25. Despite some of her family's protests, Agnes is determined to see her date through. We follow Agnes as she prepares for her 'big date'. Her preparations include learning all over again how to date a man – but this time in the 21st century, where men expect rather more from a first date than they did in her day. So with the help of Winnie, Cathy, Maria and Betty, and despite the objections of the boys in the family, Agnes gets ready for her Valentine's night date. This includes a radical diet, sex lessons, dressing for the occasion and self defence. Is it a case of 'Love is in the air', or will Hairy Harry be sent flying? You can find out by coming along to the Manchester Opera House Theatre - be sure to book now!

Footloose
Monday 17 to Saturday 22 November 2008
Footloose the Musical It tells the story of City boy Ren who moves to a small American town where dancing is banned. All hell breaks out as he cuts loose. Soon the whole town is on its feet. Based on the movie starring Kevin Bacon, Footloose is a fast paced show packed with electrifying dancing and classic 80s hits including Holding Out For A Hero; Almost Paradise; Let's Here It For The Boy and of course the title track, Footloose.

Tosca - Ellen Kent International
Wednesday 26 November 2008

La Boheme - Ellen Kent International
Thursday 27 and Friday 28 November 2008

Carmen - Ellen Kent International
Saturday 29 November 2008

Aladdin
Saturday 6 December 2008 to Sunday 4 January 2009
This year's Manchester Opera House's traditional family pantomime will be Aladdin. Last year's pantomime, Cinderella, broke all box office records for a second year running so make sure you book early for thi year's panto! Alladin will be doing all he can to win the heart of the beautiful Princess, but the evil Abanazar will be trying to thwart his plans. With all your favourite characters including Wishee Washee, the Emperor, Chinese Policeman and of course the ultimate pantomime dame - Widow Twankey! Aladdin provides all that is expected of a Manchester Theatre pantomime, glittering sets and costumes, amazing song and dance routines, romance, comedy, bags of audience participation, a real magic carpet and the most important ingredient of all – a sprinkling of pantomime magic.

Lord Of The Dance
Tuesday 22 to Sunday 27 September 2009
Already seen by over 50 million people in 40 different countries, The Lord of the Dance comes to the Manchester Opera House Theatre for a strictly limited one week season in September 2009. Much of the secret to Lord of the Dance's phenomenal success is that it speaks to all, crossing boundaries of age, gender, and cultural diversity. Its timeless, universal appeal has made Lord of the Dance one of the modern day wonders of the world, a myth to a living legend.