Royal Exchange Theatre

Call Directions Website

Royal Exchange Theatre The Great Hall surrounds the Theatre, and this houses The Rivals where you can grab a coffee, cake or lunch.
(2086)

The unique design means that none of the 760 seats are more than nine metres from the circular stage, with seats placed all around the auditorium, giving views from all angles.

13/10/2026

KING LEAR is taking Manchester by storm 🌪️

Experience the “searing, unmissable theatrical event” (★★★★★ North West End) that’s captivating audiences and critics alike, and discover “live theatre at its best” (All Across the Arts).

“Shakespeare simply doesn’t get any better than this” (★★★★ Stage Struck).

On stage until 15 November.
🎟️ Book now: https://bit.ly/4c3UI18

Set Designer: Anna Fleischle
Associate Set Designer: Cat Fuller
Costume Designer: Cat Fuller
Lighting Designer: Lucy Carter

“Pure theatrical magic” (★★★★ The Times).“David Threlfall is magnificent” (★★★★ The Stage).More rave reviews are in for ...
12/10/2026

“Pure theatrical magic” (★★★★ The Times).
“David Threlfall is magnificent” (★★★★ The Stage).

More rave reviews are in for KING LEAR, hailed as “a masterclass in classical theatre reimagined” (★★★★★ North West End).

Step into the storm midweek, with the best ticket availability and prices on Tuesday - Thursday evening performances.

On stage until 15 November.

🎟️ Book your seats: https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event/king-lear/
📸 Helen Murray

Set Designer: Anna Fleischle
Associate Set Designer: Cat Fuller
Costume Designer: Cat Fuller
Lighting Designer: Lucy Carter

KING LEAR: THE FIRST REVIEWS ARE IN. “a searing, unmissable theatrical event” (★★★★★ North West End)"a truly gripping ma...
09/10/2026

KING LEAR: THE FIRST REVIEWS ARE IN.

“a searing, unmissable theatrical event” (★★★★★ North West End)
"a truly gripping masterpiece" (★★★★★ The Reviews Hub)
"Threlfall is the best King Lear I've ever seen" (★★★★ Stage Struck)

Experience “a classic full of fire" (★★★★ Manchester Theatres) at the Royal Exchange until 15 November.

🎟️ Book now: https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event/king-lear/
📸 Helen Murray

Adapted and directed by Matthew Dunster
Set Designer: Anna Fleischle
Associate Set Designer: Cat Fuller
Costume Designer: Cat Fuller
Lighting Designer: Lucy Carter

The storm is here.Step inside KING LEAR and Matthew Dunster’s dark, unforgiving vision of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy...
09/10/2026

The storm is here.

Step inside KING LEAR and Matthew Dunster’s dark, unforgiving vision of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy, revealed in our first production shots.

Tonight, the Royal Exchange becomes a kingdom in collapse.

Good luck to our extraordinary company, on stage and behind the scenes, for a brilliant Press Night.

🎟️ Book now: https://www.royalexchange.co.uk/event/king-lear/
📸 Photography: Helen Murray

Set Designer: Anna Fleischle
Associate Set Designer: Cat Fuller
Costume Designer: Cat Fuller
Lighting Designer: Lucy Carter

There’s more to MYTHIC REINVENTION than the costumes on display 🧵Alongside our celebration of 50 years of costume and cr...
07/10/2026

There’s more to MYTHIC REINVENTION than the costumes on display 🧵

Alongside our celebration of 50 years of costume and craft, discover the skills and backstage secrets behind the work with a programme of hands-on workshops and tours.

Our Embellishment and Get Gory! Theatre Special Effects workshops have completely SOLD OUT, but there’s still plenty to get involved in.

Due to popular demand, we’ve added INSIDE MYTHIC REINVENTION: THE TOUR. Join Costume Cutter & Maker Sarah White and Exhibition Project Manager Roz Vallejo for a closer look at the costumes and the stories behind them.

Fancy getting hands-on? Explore corsetry with expert costume maker Ness Coupe, whose career spans more than 30 years across the West End, leading UK theatres and television dramas. Deadline for booking is Thursday 8 Oct.

Or, discover what happens beyond the stage on one of our backstage tours - with just a few places left on our October dates.

🎟️ Take a look at what’s on below and book before your favourite fills up: https://bit.ly/47F4Wm3

Meet Michelle Gomez as Desirée Armfeldt.Here's your first look at the official artwork for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, starrin...
06/10/2026

Meet Michelle Gomez as Desirée Armfeldt.

Here's your first look at the official artwork for A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, starring BAFTA-nominated Michelle Gomez as the gloriously complicated Desirée Armfeldt.

This festive season, waltz into Sondheim’s life-affirming fairy-tale for adults, where mismatched couples become entangled in romantic misfires and self-delusions.

This Tony Award-winning musical comedy comes alive with a dazzling company and a magical score, including the bittersweet classic ‘Send in the Clowns’.

Our Artistic Director, Selina Cartmell, returns to direct following her sold-out production of ROAD, with choreography by the iconic Arlene Phillips.

A little romance. A little delusion. A lot of Sondheim.

📅 5 December 2026 - 30 January 2027
🎟️ Book now: https://bit.ly/4xUgnCc

Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
Suggested by a film by Ingmar Bergman
Originally produced and directed on Broadway by Harold Prince
Presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International

📸 David Stewart

05/10/2026

A sold-out first weekend. Standing ovations. The storm has begun.

Hear what our first preview audiences thought of Matthew Dunster’s KING LEAR, as David Threlfall leads an extraordinary company in Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy.

Just a handful of preview tickets remain for this week ahead of Thursday’s opening night.

🎟️ Be among the first to experience it: https://bit.ly/4c3UI18

We’re looking for a Director of Communications to help shape the future of the Royal Exchange Theatre.From pioneering th...
05/10/2026

We’re looking for a Director of Communications to help shape the future of the Royal Exchange Theatre.

From pioneering theatre practice to sharing universal, human stories, our work starts conversations. We’re looking for someone who can build on that ambition, champion our artistic vision and connect more people with what we do.

As part of our Executive Team, you’ll lead our communications and brand strategy, helping us grow and diversify our audiences while playing a key role in the future direction of the organisation.

Are you an experienced leader with a strategic mind and a flair for storytelling? We’d love to hear from you.

🗓️ Deadline: 16 October 2026 | 12pm
🔗 Explore the role and apply: https://bit.ly/47GM6eh

We’ve loved seeing so many of you visit MYTHIC REINVENTION since it opened 🧵There’s still plenty of time to experience i...
05/10/2026

We’ve loved seeing so many of you visit MYTHIC REINVENTION since it opened 🧵

There’s still plenty of time to experience it for yourself. Take a look at this week’s opening times, and make a little more of your visit whilst you're here.

Explore 50 years of costume and craft in our Great Hall, then stop by The Rivals for a drink and one of our special Anniversary Boards - a selection of cured meats, cheeses and seasonal accompaniments to share.

MYTHIC REINVENTION is free to explore until 15 November.

🔗 Book an Anniversary Boards for your visit: https://bit.ly/3UwhMQs

02/10/2026

The storm is here. Brace yourself 🌪️

KING LEAR opens for previews tonight. Before the first sold-out audience takes their seats, get a glimpse of the world waiting for you.

Meet four creative forces at the eye of it all: Director and adapter Matthew Dunster, Set Designer Anna Fleischle, Costume Designer and Associate Set Designer Cat Fuller, and Composer Nadine Shah.

From an environment that surrounds the audience to music shaped from inside the action, hear how they’re reimagining Shakespeare’s tragedy.

Tonight and tomorrow are completely sold out, with fewer than five tickets left across all remaining preview performances.

Want to be among the first to experience it? Opening week tickets are on sale now, with most performances are down to their last few seats.

🎟️ The storm won’t wait. Book now: https://bit.ly/4c3UI18

Address

Royal Exchange Theatre
Manchester
M27DH

Opening Hours

Monday 11am - 5pm
Tuesday 11am - 5pm
Wednesday 11am - 5pm
Thursday 11am - 5pm
Friday 11am - 5pm
Saturday 11am - 5pm

Telephone

+441618339833

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Royal Exchange Theatre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category