This competition is now closed. Congratulations to Gary Hartley & Family!

Not a winner this time? Try our competition to win a Family Ticket for The Snowman (Lowry) and check back for more offers soon!

Do you always get the post Christmas blues in January? Well, you could win a family ticket to see Shane Richie as Scrooge (pictured left) at the Palace Theatre in Manchester, which will leave you with a spring in your step.

The Offer:
Shane Ritchie stars in this great musical at the Palace Theatre. One lucky winner will receive one family ticket (admits four) to see the show for free on Wed 2nd January (7.30pm). Scrooge is the ideal show to chase away those New Year blues as it is a heart-warming treat.

The Pitch:
To celebrate its great reviews, the producers of the hit show are offering one lucky winner the chance to take their family to see Shane Ritchie playing the title role in Scrooge, which is playing until Saturday 12th January. (more…)

Venue: The Lowry
Date Reviewed: 17th December 2007

The great thing about pantomimes is that they give well known actors the chance to send up their media personas. Here, Pele Productions have cast musical star Darren Day; more well known recently for the column inches devoted to his love life. This likeable and warm performer plays the role of King Rat for all it’s worth; scaring the kids one minute, making them roar with laughter the next. He is is an expert at ad-libbing his way out of trouble and wins the audience over, as a result. (more…)

Venue: The Lowry, Manchester
Date Reviewed: 14th December 2007

Dad’s Army brings back such fond memories for its fans, that you would be forgiven for thinking that this stage adaptation has disaster written all over it. But, “Don’t Panic!” because due to the warm direction of James Robert Carson and the willingness of the cast to throw themselves into the war effort, it ends up being a lovely treat.

This nostalgic, witty delight is subtitled “The Lost Episodes.” Writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft mounted a global search for six lost 30 minute treasures. They found four and here they are recreated for theatre-goers to enjoy all over again. (more…)

With so many shows on in Manchester this Christmas, there are plenty of reasons to turn the telly off and escape! But where do you start? There are pantomimes galore, revivals, musicals and even lost episodes from a national treasure of a sit com to choose from. Allow WOS Manchester to share our five festive tips:

1) An Ideal Husband - Royal Exchange- 11 Dec- 26 January

This might not be as Christmassy as most of the fare on offer, but it does have the lovely Joanna Riding (pictured) as Mrs Cheveley. The Royal Exchange has a great track record when it comes to Oscar Wilde and with Braham Murray at the helm once again; this one looks set to be another cracker. This play also has the advantage of being a classic. (more…)

Booking has just opened for some exciting new shows at the Palace Theatre and Opera House, Manchester. Marti Pellow (pictured) returns to musicals, Connie Fisher tours and Joseph is back!

Joseph & His Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat returns to the Palace Theatre in April.

Meanwhile, the actress/singer famed for winning Lord Webber’s reality television search for a musical star; Connie Fisher (star of The Sound of Music and winner of BBC 1’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria) arrives at the Opera House for one night in June next year. (more…)