HANDBAGGED | The Lowry | 15-19 September
It’s been called a ‘clever, mischievous pleasure’ and received national acclaim on its West End release. Now Olivier award winner Handbagged is all set to get northern audiences chuckling with the bitchiness, banter and badinage that only two powerful woman can bring. Liz versus Maggie; one destined to rule, the other elected to lead. Who will emerge victorious? As Moira Buffini’s celebrated comedy reveals, when the stiff upper lip relaxes and the gloves come off, what goes on behind palace doors is in a class of its own.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ (2pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £16.50 at thelowry.com).
ANNIE | Opera House | 15-26 September
Set amidst the turmoil of 1930s New York during The Great Depression, with a score of best-loved tunes like Hard Knock Life and Easy Street, this inspirational classic comedy is not to be missed. With BBC’s Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood waltzing up to Manchester to star as the tyrannical Miss Hannigan for a dozen fab-u-lous performances, this will be anything but a disaster darling; you can bet your bottom dollar on it.
Opera House, 3 Quay Street, M3 3HP (2.30pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £15 at atgtickets.com).
AnnieSWAN LAKE | The Lowry | 23-26 September
Swan Lake is stunningly interpreted by Birmingham Royal Ballet in this lavish take on the timeless classic surrounding Princess Odette, who is cursed to spend her days as a bird. Tchaikovsky’s legendary score accents the darkly atmospheric fairytale throughout, widely acknowledged as one of the world’s finest ballet productions and a jewel in Russia’s cultural crown.
The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ (2pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £15 at thelowry.com).
NEW STUFF | The Comedy Store | Sunday 27 September
This excellent showcase of brand new material by veteran laugh factory The Comedy Store is guaranteed to get you guffawing; a perfect pick-me-up as winter descends. The night’s compère is Toby Hadoke, whose stand-up career of fifteen years quite literally stands him in good stead for a night of wisecracks and witticisms that’ll enliven even the most lacklustre crowd.
The Comedy Store, Arches 3 and 4, Deansgate Locks, Whitworth Street West, M1 5LH (7.30pm, tickets from £4 at thecomedystore.co.uk).
Toby HadokeED BYRNE | Middleton Arena | Wednesday 30 September
With a TV repertoire including Mock the Week and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, if Ed Byrne’s new show doesn’t incite a good few chuckles, we’ll eat our hats. The master of observational comedy, who has already produced three hit live DVDs and three sell-out UK tours, makes his debut at Middleton Arena with new mirthful masterpiece Outside, Looking In. Expect irony and ire at the modern world as Ed ages (ungracefully) into his forties.
LCpl Joel Halliwell VC Way, Middleton, M24 1AG (8pm; tickets £19 at purchase.tickets.com).
DYNAMO | O2 Apollo | 6-18 October
He’s walked on water, levitated above the Shard, walked down the LA Times Building, predicted the World Cup outcome and taken a trip on the side of a bus. Now, 'Magician Impossible' Dynamo announces his biggest challenge to date as he embarks on his first ever live tour. Considering the illusionist has been preparing for two decades, sparks will most certainly fly (and who knows what else). This is one show you really will have to see to believe.
O2 Apollo, Stockport Road, Ardwick Green, M12 6AP (8pm; tickets from £38 at o2apollomanchester.co.uk).
DynamoAN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE | Bolton Octagon Theatre | 8-31 October
This sinister drama set in a Norwegian spa town explores the evil underbelly of corruption to compelling effect. As scientist Dr Thomas Stockmann finds, when the agendas of those in power oppose it, the truth really does hurt. Henry Ibsen’s gripping story was adapted by Arthur Miller in the mid 1950s during the repressive climate of the McCarthy witch hunts; David Thacker’s adaptation forms part of the American playwright’s centenary celebrations.
Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB (2pm, 5pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £10.50 at octagonbolton.co.uk).
DISNEY ON ICE: WORLDS OF ENCHANTMENT | Manchester Arena | 14-18 October
The nation’s Disney favourites come to life in this dazzling family-friendly special. Ariel, the Toy Story gang and, of course, Frozen’s icy entourage are just some of the characters you can expect to see whizzing across the ice, performing thrilling stunts amidst a wintery wonderland of magical mayhem.
Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (7pm; tickets from £17.60 at eventim.co.uk).
Disney on Ice
HAIRSPRAY THE MUSICAL | Palace Theatre | 26-31 October
The sugary smash comedy with a societal commentary at its heart is back with bigger hair than ever before. Tracy Turnblad finds her dreams become reality when a lucky audition sees her dancing her way to national TV stardom, bagging local heartthrob Link Larkin on the way. Let your hair down and join the inspirational protagonist as she uses her newfound fame to address equality in a 1960s America rife with injustice.
Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford Street, M1 6FT (2.30pm and 7.30pm; tickets from £15 at atgtickets.com).
MICHAEL MCINTYRE | Manchester Arena | 29-31 October
Being a household name in comedy takes a serious amount of work and Michael McIntyre knows it; having performed across the globe, released the fastest selling DVD of all time (eclipsed by himself with second stand-up release Hello Wembley) and matched Rihanna’s audience record at London’s O2 Arena. His latest tour Happy and Glorious promises a laugh a minute and we don’t doubt it.
Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, M3 1AR (8pm; tickets from £41 at eventim.co.uk).
Michael McIntyre
