One final night in Manchester

A one-man show that has won awards and had tremendous success since its first appearance in 2023 comes to its "home town", Manchester, at the end of this month.

Nick Dawkins' A Manchester Anthem plays from July 29-August 2 at Hope Mill Theatre, starring actor Tom Claxton.

Dawkins is an award-winning playwright and dramaturg whose play has won multiple awards, including the Pleasance Theatre's Pick of the VAULT Festival, Vault's Show of the Week and Broadway Baby's Bobby award.

The "joyous uplifting" show, as one critic called it, follows Tommy, a young working-class Mancunian who has been accepted into Oxford. Not only is he the first on his street to go to Oxford, he's the first to get into any university. The play is about his final big night in Manchester before leaving.

Dawkins said: "A Manchester Anthem tries to encapsulate the intense excitement that comes with deciding to leave your home town, as well as the fear that comes with that decision - about how it will change and shape who you are.

"It’s a look at growing up and the family, friends and favourite songs we use to define ourselves. It’s funny, it’s heartfelt, and, I think, really has something in it for everyone."

Tom Claxton has previously been seen in Romeo and Juliet (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre), Kick, and he appeared in One Day, SAS: Rogue Heroes and Doctors on TV.

More info and tickets here