Royal Exchange Theatre

Royal Exchange Theatre Bringing theatre in-the-round and in communities The Great Hall surrounds the Theatre, and this houses The Rivals where you can grab a coffee, cake or lunch.
(2090)

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.

Behind every costume is a story of imagination, craftsmanship and creative collaboration. From the first design to the f...
05/09/2026

Behind every costume is a story of imagination, craftsmanship and creative collaboration. From the first design to the finished piece, each detail helps transform an actor, shape a character and bring an entire theatrical world to life.

On Sunday 13 September, join award-winning stage and costume designer Leslie Travers and the Royal Exchange’s Head of Costume, Tracy Dunk, for Making the Myth: 50 Years of Costume and Craft.

Alongside theatre designer Johanna Bryant and theatre historian and heritage expert Dr Rachel Walker, they’ll uncover stories from our extraordinary archive, explore the artistry behind some of our most memorable productions and reveal how our major new exhibition, Mythic Reinvention, was conceived and curated.

Sunday 13 September, 2.30pm
🎟️ Individual talk £10
🎟️ Weekend Pass £30 for all four conversations

Every ticket includes exclusive early access to Mythic Reinvention, our major new exhibition celebrating 50 years of costume and craft.

🔗 Book tickets: https://bit.ly/4ibNNae
🧀 Make a day of it with our celebratory Anniversary Boards in the heart of the Exchange: https://bit.ly/3UwhMQs

04/09/2026

The countdown is on. KING LEAR opens in one month.

For the first time, hear from the cast about how rehearsals are unfolding - and what audiences can expect when this extraordinary production opens at the Royal Exchange next month.

Matthew Dunster brings together a remarkable company for a major new adaptation of Shakespeare’s most elemental tragedy, led by David Threlfall, returning to the Royal Exchange after 27 years.

A play about power, language and identity, KING LEAR remains as urgent today as when it was first written.

With every preview performance now down to its final few tickets, don't miss your chance to be amongst the first to experience Manchester's major theatrical event this autumn.

KING LEAR
2 October – 15 November

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

For five decades, the Royal Exchange has championed bold new voices, launched the careers of some of the world’s most in...
03/09/2026

For five decades, the Royal Exchange has championed bold new voices, launched the careers of some of the world’s most influential playwrights and played a crucial role in shaping the UK’s theatre ecology.

On Saturday 12 September, playwrights Simon Stephens, Rory Mullarkey, Daisy Miles and Tolu Okanlawon come together for Writing the Future - a celebratory discussion of 50 years of groundbreaking new writing at the Exchange.

Together, they’ll revisit the plays and playwrights that have defined generations, reflect on the importance of creating space for new voices and consider how the Royal Exchange can continue to nurture the writers who will shape theatre’s next chapter.

Saturday 12 September, 4.30pm

🎟️ Individual talk £10
🎟️ Weekend Pass £30 for all four conversations

Every ticket includes exclusive early access to Mythic Reinvention, our major new exhibition celebrating 50 years of costume and craft.

🔗 Book tickets: https://bit.ly/3UQKgEA

🧀 Make a day of it with our celebratory Anniversary Boards in the heart of the Exchange: https://bit.ly/3UwhMQs

50 years. Five decades. One extraordinary theatre 🧡Between 2006 and 2015, a new generation of theatre-makers stepped int...
03/09/2026

50 years. Five decades. One extraordinary theatre 🧡

Between 2006 and 2015, a new generation of theatre-makers stepped into the spotlight.

The launch of the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2005 marked an exciting new chapter in the Royal Exchange’s commitment to championing new voices. Together with the opening of our Studio in 2006, it created a vital platform where unknown scripts could move from page to stage and emerging artists could take bold creative leaps.

Across the wider programme, celebrated performers and rising talent continued to bring extraordinary stories to life in the round.

For the fourth chapter of our countdown to the theatre’s 50th birthday, we’re revisiting a decade of remarkable discoveries and unforgettable performances.

Did you see any of these productions? Which performances have stayed with you? Share your memories in the comments 👇

50 years ago, a radical architectural vision transformed one of the world’s largest rooms into an extraordinary space fo...
02/09/2026

50 years ago, a radical architectural vision transformed one of the world’s largest rooms into an extraordinary space for performance. Suspended within the historic Great Hall, the Royal Exchange’s iconic theatre reimagined the relationship between artists and audiences.

On Saturday 12 September, join Victoria Turner, Director at Levitt Bernstein (the architectural practice behind the original theatre), alongside former Artistic Director Greg Hersov and actor Shobna Gulati.

Hosted by our Co-CEO and Artistic Director Selina Cartmell, Building the Exchange will uncover the bold vision, architectural challenges and creative possibilities behind our unique in-the-round theatre and explore how its design continues to inspire artists today.

Saturday 12 September, 2.30pm
🎟️ Individual talk £10
🎟️ Weekend Pass £30 for all four conversations

Every ticket includes exclusive early access to Mythic Reinvention, our major new exhibition celebrating 50 years of costume and craft.

🔗 Book tickets: https://bit.ly/4zTa3vM
🧀 Make a day of it with our celebratory Anniversary Boards in the heart of the Exchange: https://bit.ly/3UwhMQs

For Matthew Dunster, homecoming runs through every part of KING LEAR - uniting returning Exchange artists, longstanding ...
31/08/2026

For Matthew Dunster, homecoming runs through every part of KING LEAR - uniting returning Exchange artists, longstanding collaborators and creative relationships spanning decades.

Central to that vision is his collaboration with David Threlfall, bringing their Royal Exchange stories together for the first time.

Featuring an archive interview with Dunster about his 2010 production of 1984, our new blog explores why this homecoming matters now.

KING LEAR | 2 OCT – 15 NOV
🔗 Read the full story: https://bit.ly/4gOAvhM

🎟️ Book tickets: https://bit.ly/4c3UI18

50 years. Five decades. One extraordinary theatre 🧡As a new millennium began, so did another remarkable chapter in our s...
28/08/2026

50 years. Five decades. One extraordinary theatre 🧡

As a new millennium began, so did another remarkable chapter in our story.

From Shakespearean tragedy and modern classics to groundbreaking contemporary drama, these archive images capture the extraordinary range of work staged at the Royal Exchange between 1996 and 2005.

For the third chapter of our countdown to the theatre’s 50th birthday, we’re looking back at ten years of compelling stories, memorable performances and transformative theatre.

Did you see any of these productions? Which performances from this decade have stayed with you? Share your memories in the comments 👇

The storm is gathering… 🌪️This week, the company of KING LEAR stepped into the rehearsal room for the very first time.Wi...
25/08/2026

The storm is gathering… 🌪️

This week, the company of KING LEAR stepped into the rehearsal room for the very first time.

With David Threlfall in the title role, work has now begun on Matthew Dunster’s powerful new reimagining of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy.

KING LEAR
2 Oct – 15 Nov

🎟️ Tickets selling fast, with several performances already close to selling out.
🔗 Book now to secure your seats: https://bit.ly/4c3UI18

50 years. Five decades. One extraordinary theatre. 🧡Our story continues…From 1986 to 1995, the Royal Exchange welcomed a...
21/08/2026

50 years. Five decades. One extraordinary theatre. 🧡

Our story continues…

From 1986 to 1995, the Royal Exchange welcomed a thrilling mix of bold new writing and reimagined classics, brought to life by celebrated actors and emerging talent.

For the second chapter of our 50th birthday countdown, we’re delving into the archive to revisit another decade of unforgettable performances in the round.

Did you see any of these productions? Which performances from this decade have stayed with you? Share your memories 👇

There are only a few days left to apply to become our new Marketing Officer.This is an exciting opportunity to join the ...
20/08/2026

There are only a few days left to apply to become our new Marketing Officer.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Royal Exchange Theatre and help us connect audiences with our programme of productions and events.

You’ll plan and deliver integrated marketing campaigns that drive ticket sales, build audience engagement and raise awareness of our work. We’re looking for someone with at least two years’ marketing experience, excellent communication and organisational skills, and experience across social media, email marketing and paid advertising.

⏰ Applications close at 12pm on Monday 24 August.

Find out more and apply: https://bit.ly/3RVNfKX

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