Joseph Houston Archives - Matinee Musicals

FIRST LOOK: Jason Donovan and cast in rehearsals for High School Musical

14-08-26 The Wildcats are getting their heads back in the game as first-look rehearsal images have been released from the new UK production of Disney’s High School Musical. Jason Donovan is pictured rehearsing alongside the company ahead of the show opening at Lowry in Salford on 22 August 2026, where it runs until 19 September. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkCdr4cUo-o The production, the first UK non-replica staging of the Disney musical, will then transfer to […]

August 14, 2026 56 10

Latest

Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques: The Musical Returns in Style

Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques: The Musical Returns in Style Updated: 08-11-25 The kettle’s on in Manchesterford again, as Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques: The Musical takes to the stage for a special fundraising concert celebrating ten years of Hope Mill Theatre. Following its critically acclaimed opening in Manchester last week, Victoria Wood’s Acorn Antiques: The Musical in Concert arrives at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre this Sunday (9 November), before heading back to […]

November 8, 2025 26

Latest

Review: Young Frankenstein

Review: Young Frankenstein ★★★★ Hope Mill Theatre 15-10-25 by Jamie Griffiths Hope Mill has struck lightning with Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein, and this time, it is most definitely alive. I have seen the show at Newcastle Theatre Royal and later in the West End, both joyous in their own right, but this new Manchester production surpasses them technically and emotionally. The intimacy of Hope Mill’s space gives the comedy and […]

October 16, 2025 50

Cast News

Cast News: Glorious!

Cast News: Glorious! 19-11-24 Hope Mill Theatre are delighted to announce Wendi Peters as Florence Foster Jenkins in Glorious! The True Story of The Worst Singer in the World, which will open at Hope Mill Theatre on 27 February 2025 for a limited run ending on 30 March 2025. Tickets on-sale Friday 22 November. Written by Peter Quilter (End of the Rainbow) and directed by Kirk Jameson (I Am Harvey […]

November 20, 2024 35

Show Announcements

Hope Mill Makes NINTH Anniversary Announcement

Hope Mill Makes NINTH Anniversary Announcement 01-10-24 On the day it marks nine years since opening its doors, Hope Mill Theatre has announced it will present a new concert version of Nine the Musical, starring Broadway and West End star Ramin Karimloo, at The Lowry, Salford next year. The concert will be in celebration of Hope Mill’s 9th Birthday – and will play for two performances only at The Lowry, […]

October 1, 2024 23

General

Cast News: A Christmas Carol

Cast News: A Christmas Carol 11-09-24 Musical Theatre star Claire Moore is to play ‘Scrooge’ in Hope Mill Theatre’s new production of the magical musical version of A Christmas Carol at The Lowry, Salford for the 2024/25 festive season. Following their critically acclaimed production of Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella in 2022, Hope Mill co-founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton will reunite to co-direct a new version of A Christmas Carol, with […]

September 14, 2024 47

General

Hope Mill reveal cast for Gypsy

Hope Mill reveal cast for Gypsy 02-02-24 Hope Mill Theatre has revealed the full cast that will be joining the already-announced Jodie Prenger in a new one-night concert version of Gypsy, at the Opera House, Manchester on Sunday 25th February. The concert will raise funds for Hope Mill Theatre’s ‘Hope for the Future’ fundraising campaign and will be directed by Joseph Houston and choreographed by William Whelton, the co-founders […]

February 2, 2024 21