New repertory theatre to open in Manchester

A new theatre is to open in Manchester, housing the first rep company in the city in over 50 years.

The theatre is a warehouse space which will feature a main house and a studio space, and is a collaboration between Great Northern Warehouse and Northern Rep. The studio space will focus on new writing in the north and the theatre will present work by Northern Rep and also mid-scale touring companies.

The theatre opens for a limited engagement from 20 March, before opening permanently from May 2017.

The launch production will be a club-land re-imagining of A Midsummer Night's Dream which opens in previews from 21 March. The first three productions in the theatre are immersive shows.

The director of Northern Rep, Thomas Moore said: "The opportunity to bring rep theatre back to Manchester after an absence of over 50 years is such an honour. There is no place better in the country than Manchester and we’re incredibly excited to be able to bring an independent theatre mindset to the very heart of the city centre."