Know your theatre:
There was a time in the Seventies when the Palace, on the corner of Oxford Road and Whitworth Street, was a sad, shambling place without much of a future. A chap named Bob Scott and his team poured millions into extending the stage-side area and restoring the Edwardian interior and today, several owners later, Ambas-sador Theatre Group acknowledges its position as the North's major first-run theatre.
Many of today's major musicals began their touring days here – mega hit Hamilton, opening November 2023
is the latest - and the Palace has played host to Houdini, Pavarotti, Nureyev, Nicholas Nickleby, Les Mis and hundreds more.
Rather unfortunately, this history-laden, 1,955-seater’s exterior looks (by common consent) like a gigantic public convenience, thanks to its less-than-attractive cream tiles. But its interior has been well maintained and
there’s no doubting its pre-eminent position on the English touring theatre circuit.
Palace, Manchester
Address:
Palace Theatre, 97 Oxford Street, Manchester M16FT
Phone:
Box Office 0844 871 3019, Groups 0333 009 5390, Access bookings 0800 912 6971
Facilities:
The Palace is one of the ATG chain's major first-run theatres, playing host to the biggest names and touring shows. The mainly Edwardian interior is beautiful but can feel cramped, and has bars and a bistro but like all Edwardian venues, too few loos. There are also several nearby restaurants and cafes.
Parking:
Some on-street parking – metered until 8pm, like most of the city – other-wise there is a large, multi-storey car park behind the theatre in Whitworth Street and a couple of ground car parks behind nearby buildings.
Online box office:
Go here and follow the link to your show.