subject: Musicals in Manchester [print this page] Frequently dubbed the 'Capital of the North', Manchester's cultural offerings hold up well to its southern counterpart, including its theatres which stage all the biggest shows of London's West End in addition to the city's impressive home-grown talent.
Manchester has a long and proud association with music in the minds of many, producing the likes of The Smiths in the 80s and Oasis in the 90s, so it's no surprise that musicals are big business at Manchester's venues. From time-honoured classics to modern masterpieces, heading out on the town in Manchester can lead you to some of the finest musical and performing talent in all-singing, all-dancing shows to satisfy audiences of diverse tastes.
The summer season of musicals began in fine form with shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Hairspray, performing at the city's leading music venues of the Lowry Theatre and the Manchester Opera House. The months ahead also offer even more delights for lovers of the art form.
Catch Les Miserables at the Lowry from in August to celebrate the 25th anniversary year of the classic show, before it heads to London's O2 Arena to celebrate the momentous event in October - perfect whether you're a newcomer to the show or a long-time fan.
One of the most talked-about trends shaking Manchester's musicals scene is the introduction of musical sing-along events, where the public are invited - or rather, encouraged - to bellow their favourite songs in time with the classic films, creating a truly electric and inclusive atmosphere. The Lowry Theatre will be hosting two such events in September - namely Sing-a-long-a Rocky Horror and Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music - uniting two highly divergent ends of the musical spectrum.
Another musical being screened in a special sing-along form that could surprise audiences is Sing-a-long-a Wicker Man in October, which promises to be a hair-raising event. While not one of the films that instantly springs to mind when considering the musical canon, the Wicker Man features all manner of quirky and catchy folk tunes that fans are certain to enjoy singing along with while being entertained by the exquisite horror - needless to say, this is not an event for the kids.
Visitors can find many affordable Manchester hotels close to these venues and other theatres in the sprawling city of Manchester, whenever they're planning to visit. These can also situate them in a perfect position to sample the city's other excellent visitor attractions - from taking a spin on the Manchester Wheel to indulging in some retail therapy at the huge Arndale shopping centre.
