Alice In Wonderland | Bolton Octagon | Until Sat 10 Jan
The intimate in-the-round theatre space will be transformed to create a spectacular Wonderland packed full of magic. In her pursuit of a rabbit in a hurry, Alice tumbles into a world of adventure - where March Hares and Mad Hatters take tea, and a grinning Cheshire Cat appears and disappears like magic.
Christmas Carol | The Great Northern Playhouse | Mon 1 - Fri 19 Dec | £35
Pop-up Deansgate theatre space, Great Northern Playhouse, are hosting an interactive 'Christmas knees-up' and two course feast in the parlour of Mr bah-humbug himself, Ebenezer Scrooge. From the critically acclaimed team behind Beulah and Sherlock Holmes: A Working Hypothesis, The Flanagan Collective are inviting guests to join them around the dinner table and 'take a journey packed with ghosts, ghouls and spirits galore, right into the heart of Christmas'.
Great Northern Playhouse
Shrek The Musical | The Palace Theatre | Tues 2 Dec - Thu 11 Jan
Based on the award-winning DreamWorks animation film, Shrek The Musical, has touched down in Manchester. The story of the unlikely hero features all new songs as well as cult Shrek anthem I'm a Believer. Shrek the Musical brings all the much-loved DreamWorks characters to life on stage, including the Three Fat Pigs, the Gingerbread Man and Pinocchio, in an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza.
Snow White | Opera House | Fri 5 Dec - Sun 4 Jan
Priscilla Presley will be starring as the Wicked Queen in Snow White, while joining her as Prof the Dwarf is one of the UK's ‘biggest exports' (really?), Hollywood superstar Warwick Davis (Harry Potter, Star Wars, Idiot Abroad). As far as pantomines go, this one could be called 'star studded'. Priscilla, who is probably best known for co-starring with Leslie Nielsen in the Naked Gun Series and being married to The King, will be making you boo and hiss as she tries to become the fairest of them all.
Cast Snow White
Dawn French: 30 Million Minutes | The Lowry | Thu 4 - Fri 5 Dec
Dawn French, the Queen of British comedy, has announced her first ever solo tour. The award-winning actor, best-selling novelist and all-round very funny lady has written a new show based on her life and career called 30 Million Minutes. The show will consist of 'various delights and riches, with the odd irksome tribulation thrown in, as Dawn takes audiences through the various lessons life has taught her'.
Dawn French
Little Shop Of Horrors | Royal Exchange Theatre | 5 Dec - 31 Jan
This Christmas, a charming, kooky and hilarious 1950s musical sci-fi spoof. Fuelled by Faust and fertiliser, with music by the legendary Alan Menken - best known for his numerous Walt Disney film scores - Little Shop Of Horrors is a cult film and one of the longest running off-Broadway shows of all time.
Little Shop Of Horrors tickets
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time | The Lowry | Thu 18 Dec - Sat 10 Jan
Christopher, fifteen years old, has an extraordinary brain - exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears' dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world. Winner of seven 2013 Olivier Awards, this highly acclaimed National Theatre production arrives at The Lowry as part of its first ever UK tour.
Mrs Barbara Nice | Dancehouse | Fri 19 Dec
Barbara Nice is the comedy creation of Janice Connolly who is best known for her role as Holy Mary in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights. Her upcoming tour is described as unpredictable with 'no two shows the same', but all shows result in one thing – a life-affirming live experience.
Barbara Nice
Lemony Snicket's Latke Who Couldn't Stop Screaming | The Lowry | Mon 22 Dec - 24 Dec
This adaptation of the absurdly funny Lemony Snicket story is vividly brought to life in theatre company Tall Stories' unique physical style - think live music, lots of laughs and a screaming potato pancake. For those unfamiliar, the story begins in a tiny village more or less covered in snow, where Hanukkah Latke, a fried potato pancake, is born screaming - yep, it's a weird one.
Russian Ballet Christmas Festival | Bridgewater Hall | Fri 26 Dec
Star soloists from the Russian State Ballet of Siberia are set to perform in Manchester as part of a Christmas festival. Formed in 1981, The Russian State Ballet of Siberia has now established itself as one of Russia’s leading ballet companies. Both the soloists and the corps de ballet have been highly praised by critics, and never fail to delight audiences with their breathtaking ability and dazzling costumes.
Russian State Ballet
