Manchester theatre 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 21

Latest

Collabro announce comeback with new album The Return and 2027 UK tour

14-08-26 Matinee favourites Collabro are making their return with a brand-new musical theatre album and a limited UK tour planned for summer 2027. The musical theatre vocal group have announced The Return, their first major musical theatre album in seven years, which will be released on 6 November 2026. The new record will be followed by The Return Tour in summer 2027, marking Collabro’s return to the road with just […]

August 14, 2026 19

Latest

Review: Miss Saigon

Review: Miss Saigon ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Manchester Palace Theatre 13-11-25 by Tiffany Chevis Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary Miss Saigon is one of those bucket-list shows that every theatre-lover has on their list, and has graced stages around the world for over 35 years. This new production by Michael Harrison, in association with Cameron Mackintosh, lands half a century after the end of the Vietnam War – and remains […]

November 14, 2025 68

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 23

General

Review: Spraywatch: A Beautiful Rescue

26-10-25 Kings Arms, Salford by Jamie Griffiths Low Fat Productions’ Spraywatch: A Beautiful Rescue makes a perfect splash at The Kings Arms. Written, composed, and directed by Hywel Evans, this new musical is set between the sun-soaked promise of Santa Monica and a rain-drenched Northern seaside town, and it’s every bit as funny, heartfelt, and gloriously odd as that sounds. Evans and co-writer Abbie Ashall have created a show that’s […]

October 26, 2025 64

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 39