Opera House Manchester

The Opera House Manchester offers touring productions of top musical theatre shows, ballet performances, concerts from a variety of artists and a Christmas Pageant. The building itself is a historic Grade II listed building located on Quay Street in the heart of downtown Manchester.

The Opera House opened in 1912 as the New Theatre, was renamed New Queen's Theatre in 1915 and took on its current title in 1920. The building has been through many iterations throughout its history, at one point serving as a bingo hall for 5 years. Today, it's among the premier theatres in the city.

Opera House Manchester - one of the highlights of 11 Best Theatres in Manchester (Read all about Manchester here)

photo by Mike Peel (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

Highlights of the Opera House Manchester

The Opera House is a place where visitors can view everything from Shakespeare to the latest in popular Broadway and award-winning musicals, concerts by some of the biggest global acts, comedy shows and other live performances. It's also famed for its historic importance and architecture.

The theatre is a fine example of the classical style with a symmetrical 15-bay facade, a 5-bay centre and fluted ionic columns. The gable features a bracketed, moulded cornice. A relief of a horse-drawn chariot passing beneath an arch rises above the central bays. Its stage measures 12.8 metres x 11.2 metres, and it seats 1,920.

photo by Mike Peel (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

Things to know about the Opera House Manchester

The theatre offers family-friendly surroundings and atmosphere, though individual shows will determine how suitable any given event may be for younger audiences. It is completely accessible with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating and restroom. Resources for the hard of hearing are also available.

Security is of prime importance, so bag checks are performed, and rucksacks or suitcases are not allowed. Onsite amenities include restrooms and bars where you can get a cocktail before the show or between acts. Car parks are available within a few blocks of the theatre, and all major bus routes stop along Quay Street where the theatre is located.

Location: 3 Quay St, Manchester M3 3HP, UK

Phone: +44 (0)8448 713018

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