Manchester Palace Theatre, Manchester

The Palace Theatre is situated on the corner of Oxford Street and Whitworth Street, in the southeast of Manchester’s city centre, close to Oxford Road railway station. Halfway between the city’s two university campuses and the commercial district, the Palace Theatre is one of the city’s oldest and most successful theatres. Opening in 1891, the theatre was originally known as ‘The Grand Old Lady of Oxford Street’, but struggled to live up to that billing in its early years. As the city grew in the Edwardian era, the theatre became much more successful, playing a key part in the great music hall tradition of North West England.

The theatre played host to many of the early 20th century’s biggest stars, including Noel Coward, Gracie Fields and even American film stars like Laurel & Hardy. Damaged by a bomb in World War 2, the theatre fell into decline, before undergoing major regeneration in the 1980s. The theatre now hosts musical theatre, touring plays and even operas on occasion. Upholding the city’s tradition for hosting theatrical firsts, the theatre has hosted the UK premieres of several productions, most notably The Producers in 2007, as well as regional premieres of Mamma Mia and Les Miserables. The theatre’s ticket office is open during usual office hours, and can be found next door to the theatre itself.