JERSEY BOYS | Opera House | 27 October - 7 November
The smash hit musical is coming to town, with a rag to riches tale that blows Cinderella out her fabled water. Far from a fairytale, Jersey Boys is based on the true life story of four disadvantaged boys who swerved a life of crime and poverty by making music and selling 175m records worldwide. Full of heart-warming razzmatazz, this is one emotive stage sensation.
Opera House, 3 Quay Street, M3 3HP (2.30pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £23.90 at atgtickets.com).
GREATER MANCHESTER COMEDY FESTIVAL | Citywide | 1-10 November
The funny Fringe is back with a distinctly international vibe. Icelandic Helgi Steinar, who was arrested in Beijing for performing comedy, has Nothing to Declare in his worldly tales of woe whilst Ignacio Lopez asks if things have moved on since Fawlty Towers’ Manuel. Elsewhere Greek Geordie George Zach (try saying that after a drink or two) continues to dodge his national service. With plenty of additional local talent across ten venues, expect a hilarious humdinger of epic proportions.
Various; check the website.
Ignacio LopezALAN CARR | O2 Apollo | 5-7 November
As Britain’s most popular Chatty Man, it’s fitting that Alan Carr’s new tour is called Yap, Yap, Yap. Since winning Best New Stand Up in 2001, Carr has scaled the laughter ladder and reached dizzying new heights; rubbing shoulders with A-list celebs and winning a clutch of prestigious awards. The Spexy Beast has maintained his affable entertainment appeal, however, and this latest instalment sees him on side-splitting top form.
O2 Apollo, Stockport Road, M12 6AP (8pm; tickets from £34.50 at ticketmaster.co.uk).
GUYS AND DOLLS | Palace Theatre | 10-21 November
Olivier award-winning actress Sophie Thompson leads in this sizzling revival of the New York underworld classic. It may concern gamblers but this dazzling production leaves nothing to chance; with choreography by Cuban ballet star Carlos Acosta and Singin’ in the Rain’s Alan Wright, alongside toe-tapping tunes aplenty and a talented 40+ cast.
Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford Street, M1 6FT (2.30 and 7.30pm; tickets from £15 at atgtickets.com).
Guys and DollsTHE BFG | Bolton Octagon | 13 November - 9 January
The Octagon brings one of Roald Dahl’s best-loved childhood stories to life in all its swishwifflingly scrumdiddlyumptious glory. Expect good dreams, greedy giants, snozzcumbers, frobscottles and even the Queen of England in this festive family special, a treat for young and old alike.
Bolton Octagon, Howell Croft South, Bolton BL1 1SB (various times; from £13.50 at octagonbolton.co.uk).
SLEEPING BEAUTY | The Lowry | 24-28 November
Matthew Bourne’s heart-winning Gothic fantasy reawakens, spelling four magical nights at the Lowry. Fantastical set design and costumes, alongside world-class dancers and Tchaikovsky compositions, sets this potent cauldron bubbling over with talent.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ (2pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £27 at thelowry.com).
Sleeping BeautyINKHEART | HOME | 4 December - 9 January
Join protagonist Maggie on an adventure filled with forbidden villains and unveiled secrets in this adaption of Cornelia Funke’s bestselling novel. It’s well known that books can transport us to a different world imaginatively but what if the boundaries between real-life and fiction were broken entirely?
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, M15 4FN (2.15pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £15 at homemcr.org).
INTO THE WOODS | Royal Exchange | 4 December - 16 January
A Baker and his wife dream of a child, a flash of red captivates a tall furry stranger and a girl with golden slippers is on the run. Each has a journey to make, a path to take, but is it the right direction? Matthew Xia brings an enchanted forest to the middle of Manchester for his sublime, fairy dust-sprinkled debut.
Royal Exchange, St Anns Square, M2 7DH (2.30pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £16 at royalexchange.co.uk).
Into the woods...THE BODYGUARD | Palace Theatre | 8 December - 9 January
X Factor winner Alexandra Burke stars in this bestselling romantic thriller, based on the blockbuster film. When former secret service agent-turned-bodyguard is hired to protect superstar Rachel Morron from an unknown stalker, a power struggle ensues; what they don’t expect is to fall in love. Cue a glitzy, gold-plated show that’ll keep you riveted from start to finish.
Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford St, M1 6FT (2.30pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £18.50 at atgtickets.com).
NOEL FIELDING | The Lowry | Thursday 10 December
Never mind the buzzcocks because he of The Mighty Boosh is going solo for An Evening with Noel Fielding. It may not have the most imaginative name but Fielding’s first live show in five years is anything but drab: expect his unique brand of stand up comedy mixed in with live animation, music and best-known TV characters like Fantasy Man. Bring your nan, fancy dress optional.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ (8pm; tickets from £28 at thelowry.com).
Noel Fielding
