Although London’s West End seems to reign supreme when it comes to theatre in the UK, the theatre scene in Manchester is long-standing and well established!! One theatre in particular, which has been open since 1973, and has had such stage greats as Pete Postlethwaite, David Threlfall and Albert Finney, as well as hugh names like Helen Mirren, Ben Kinsley and Michael Sheen grace it’s boards, is Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre!!

The building that stands in St Ann’s Square in Manchester’s city centre, and houses the theatre, is Grade-11 listed, and was originally used as a commodities exchange. Mostly this was the trading of cotton and other textiles, and during Manchester’s industrial era it was the largest trading room in the world!!! The exchange closed in 1968, and remained empty, with the threat of demolition until 1973 when some rather enterprising artistic directors took control of the space and formed the Royal Exchange Theatre Company!!

What is perhaps the most interesting thing about this theatre, is that it is “in the round”! This is to say, the stage is in the centre of the space, and the audience are seated on every side and above the performance area!! To create this almost unique staging, the theatre is inside an enormous steal and glass module, and seating 700 is the largest theatre in the round in Britain!!!

This season the theatre is putting on a wide variety of plays, from Oscar Wilde and William Shakespeare to adaptations of British and Scandinavian novels!!

Kicking off the season, is the northern play TWO! Set in a pub, just two actors play all 14 characters, who entertain with their stories of love and relationships in this hugely funny play!!

Next is an stage adaptation of the famous novel Saturday Night and Sunday Morning, by the Nottingham born, “angry young man”, Alan Sillitoe! It’s another story of the understanding of love, told from the perspective of a young, working-class man!

Another adaption is next, with the Swedish play Miss Julie!! Set in 1894, this story explores love across the class system, when sparks fly between a Count’s daughter and a footman!!

The early summer production is Oscar Wilde‘s fabulous play Lady Windermere’s Fan!! This play made Wilde an over-night success, telling the tale of a selection of London’s high-society in 1980, engaging in gossip and misadventures!! A farce of the finest quality!!

The final play for this season is Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream!! It’s probably unlikely you’ve never heard of this play, but in case you never have, it’s another story of love, dealing with (in true Shakespeare style) several young Athenian couples, a new marriage, a very disgruntled king and queen of the fairies and…… A group of amateur actors!!! A must see!!!

If you needed any other reason to see a play at the Royal Exchange, they have a huge selection of student and under 25′s deals!! The CHEEP programme includes 50% off ticket prices, “Happy Monday” £5 tickets and plenty of other offers to keep you in pocket while you’re entertained!!

The building also has a lovely cafe, a restaurant with fabulous views of St Ann’s Square and craft shopping!! Even if you don’t have time to stop for a play, go and check out the building- inside and out, you’ll be in awe!!! Stay with us at Hatters and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction!!