William Whelton Archives - Matinee Musicals

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

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

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

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

General

Review: Lizzie

Review: Lizzie 03-09-23 Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester by Jamie Griffiths We've played Lizzie, the "true crime rock musical" about Lizzie Borden, for many years on Matinee. Few shows can claim to be a staple of our rock, Pride and Halloween playlists but this one most certainly can. It meant that this fresh new production, the first ever to be built and toured in the UK has a lot to live […]

September 3, 2023

General

Lizzie to Premiere At Hope Mill

Lizzie to Premiere At Hope Mill 01-05-23 Hope Mill Theatre has announced its new production of punk rock musical Lizzie will premiere in Manchester this September, before touring. Lizzie has been a Matinee favourite for some years, since it's release on Broadway records, it explores the life of Lizzie Borden, who was accused of murdering her father and stepmother with an axe in the late summer of 1892. The punk rock […]

May 1, 2023