Manchester Theatres and Venues

The Manchester Evening News Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, Manchester, M3 1AR

seating between 7,000 and 20,000 people this venue claims to be the largest multipurpose indoor sports/entertainment arena in Europe. Completed in 1995 the arena stages a variety of international sporting events and also hosts major classical and music events.
Tel: Enquiries and Box Office  0870 190 8000

G-Mex (Greater Manchester Exhibition Centre), Windmill Street, Mancheste M2 3GX

one of England's finest exhibition centres, housed in the city's former Central Station. Opened in 1880, the station had the largest unsupported iron arch after St Pancras Station.Closed in 1969 it was derelict for many years.  In 1986, following a £20 million conversion, G-Mex opened as the country's largest exhibition space with 10,000 square meters of uninterupted space.Ssurrounding land is used for temporary buildings and exhibitions. In the heart of the city, this venue hosts exhibitions and fairs and regular musical, performance and sporting events are staged here.  In 2001 the MICC (Manchester International Convention Centre) opened beside G-Mex.
Tel: 0161 834 2700.   

Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP

seating 2000, this is one the city's largest venues.  The neo-Greek building, originally known as the New Theatre, opened in 1912 as a 'new Shakespearean theatre and Grand Opera House'.  Sir Thomas Beecham made the theatre the northern home of his opera company,and it was renamed the Opera House in his honour in 1920.  Its productions have featured actors such as Sir John Geilgud, Peter Ustinov and Sir Alec Guiness, staged Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, and musicals including South Pacific and My Fair Lady. It closed in 1979 and until 1984 it was a bingo hall until the Arts Council stepped in and the Opera House was reopened. It has continued to stageWest End and Broadway productions.
Tel: Box Office 0870 401 9000.

Royal Exchange Theatre, St Anne's Square, Manchester, M4 7DH

Manchester's leading producing theatre company housed in a futurisic metal and glass structure inside the Great Hall of the Cotton Exchange . Seating 800 it is the world's largest theatre in-the-round.  In 1996 the Royal Exchange was at the epicentre of the IRA bomb that devastated Manchester's city centre.  Reopened in 2000 it now stages around 48 productions a year. Its other theatre, the Studio, features the best of country's touring work. Exhibition area, bookshop, craft shop and café.
Tel: 0161 833 9833

Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6FT

originally The Palace Theatre of Varieties, this venue opened in 1891 and hosted the great names of the Music Hall era.  Following renovation it re-opened in 1913 and staged many revues, pantomimes and musicals. In the 1970s itwas refurbished to accomodate such companies as the Kirov Ballet and the Covent Garden Opera, and the auditorium were restored to their Edwardian glory. re-opening in 1981. A premier provincial venue for major productions.
Tel: Box Office 0870 401 6000

Comedy Store Manchester, Arches 3 & 4 Deansgate Locks, Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5LH

in two converted railway arches in the fashionable Deansgate development. Theatre-style auditorium seating 500, bar, public dining and VIP Ward Room. Stages top-quality shows featuring the best names in the business and showcasing new talent.
Tel: Enquiries 0161 839 9595 Box Office 0870 932 932

Contact Theatre Company Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA

hailed as the 'Young Vic of the North'.  Attached to the University of Manchester, it is one of the most innovative theatres in the city.  The fortress-like building has a colourful interior with 3 performance spaces. Stages modern live performance and participatory work for younger audiences.
Tel: Information 0161 274 3434 Box Office 0161 274 0600

Bridgewater Hall,  Lower Moseley Street, Manchester, M2 3WS

opened in 1996, this award-winning concert hall has enhancde the appearance of the city centre.  Set behind G-Mex, the building has won accolades for its appearance and acoustics.  Home to the world-famous Hallé Orchestra and a base for the BBC Philamonic and Manchester Camerata.  The hall, seating 2340, also has a magnificent Marcussen pipe organ.  Productions range from international classical music to regional light entertainment, popular music and comedy.
Tel: Enquires and Box Office 0161 907 9000

Royal Northern College of Music, 124 Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9RD

entrance on Booth Street off Oxford Road - located beside the University of Manchester's campus and has several aditoriums including a Bruntwood Theatre (626 seats), Concert Hall (463 seats) and Recital Hall (100 seats). It presents a programme of classical music concerts, from solo performances to full orchestral and choral works. Will soon become the home of  the Manchester Camerata.
Tel: Enquiries and Box Office 0161 907 5555

Dancehouse Theatre, 10 Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 5QA

opposite the northern headquarters of the BBC on Oxford Road.  The company and its sister company, the Northern Ballet School, have presented a varied and interesting mix of dance, music, drama and comedy here since 1994. The 430-seater auditorium also hosts visiting companies.
Tel: Enquiries and Box Office 0161 237 9753.

Frog & Bucket Comedy Club,  102 Oldham Street, Manchester, M4 1LJ

claims to be the original home of Northern Comedy and is also said to be Johnny Vegas's favourite club.
Open: Live comedy Mon, Wed-Sat  Tel: Enquiries and Box Office 0161 236 9805

The Green Room,  54/56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5WW

a small theatre, seating 166, located in two Victorian railway arches beneath Oxford Road Station. One of Europe's leading venues for contemporary performance. Cutting edge productions and innovative, emerging artists.
Tel: Box Office 0161 615 0500

Library Theatre, Central Reference Library, St Peters Square, Manchester

the only theatre in the UK to be housed in a library.  Once a lecture theatre, the library's basement auditorium has housed the Library Theatre Company since 1952.  Season of classic and contemporary plays along with its annual family Christmas show and also hosts touring productions.
Tel: Box Office 0161 236 7110.