The highly acclaimed M.E.N nominated show, Susan & Darren returns to the Contact Theatre in a new version. First seen last year, this “event with dancing” is co produced by Company Fierce with Quarantine, Contact and Queer Up North.

Darren Pritchard, a former dancer and the artistic director of Company Fierce, performs with his mum, Susan Pritchard. The play won praise for its naturalistic performances, especially from Susan, who is untrained and works as a cleaner.

We, the audience are invited to the odd couple’s council house as they prepare for a party. If you fancy a play with a difference, you can help prepare the food, during the show or have a dance afterwards!  

Susan and Darren is on at the Contact Theatre 25th- 29th September

It continues touring the UK, stopping off at Belfast, Coventry, Edinburgh, Taunton and Aberystwyth.

For more details click here

After the usual Summer season drought, there is plenty to look forward to in Manchester over the coming months. Many of the theatrical happenings will be covered on the main site. But now, with the addition of this Manchester micro-site, we at whatsonstage.com will be bringing you more from this great city.

Next week sees the arrival of two musicals; South Pacific and Godspell. They open at the Opera House and the Palace, respectively.

The Rambert Dance Company return to the Lowry from Wed 26 Sep with their inventive moves.

Mark Ravenhill’s Chatroom opens on 9 Oct, also at the Lowry.  

If you want to know what’s worth seeing in Manchester, make this your first stop, as I will also be passing opinions on gigs in the area, living up the to the title of whatsonstage. If it’s on, it will be here in some form.

If you have any comments/suggestions, you can leave a comment here at the site, or email me: glenn@whatsonstage.com 

Lip Service, Manchester’s popular comedy duo Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding return to the Library Theatre from 9-20 October.

The whacky double act who have spoofed Wuthering Heights, Little Women and the horror genre- now turn their attention to James Bond, in their new show Jane Bond.

Jane leads a double life; supermum by day and superspy by night, fighting her enemy Blowdry and his fluffy white rabbit, Bunny Galore.

Mark Chatterton directs the funny pair. Expect lots of costume changes, cross dressing and Bond puns.

For further details go to: www.librarytheatre.com

Stephen Gately has come a long way since singing with boyband, Boyzone. He has appeared in Chitty Chitty Bang and Joseph and now he is set to tread the boards at the Palace Theatre in Godspell. Stephen took some time out to talk about the show.

First things first - tell us about Godspell?
It¹s based on the Gospel according to St Matthew, but it¹s updated in that it brings in certain aspects of what’s happening in the world now. It features biblical characters and I play Jesus. It’s got loads of great songs which people will recognise, Day by Day which was a huge hit and Prepare Ye The Way of the Lord and it’s quite rocky so it’s different for me, which is why I wanted to get involved in it. It’s going to be a great challenge.

How did you land the role?
I was asked to do it and initially I didn’t think I was going to be free. But its such a great show that I really wanted to do it and in the end it all worked out thankfully.

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