Know your theatre: Built in 1903 and possibly the most beautiful theatre in the north of England, Buxton Opera House was designed by legendary architect Frank Matcham (also designer of the Palladium and Coliseum in London, Hackney Empire, Richmond Theatre, Blackpool Tower Ballroom and Grand Theatre and many more). Buxton has near-perfect acoustics for classical opera, which makes it the ideal venue for the region's only hive of top class in-house professional opera productions (and other attractions), the annual Buxton International Festival in July. The rest of the year features popular touring shows, amateur productions and occasional ballet - the modestly-sized stage has one of the steepest rakes in the business; some dancers say they fear cart-wheeling into the stalls. Since the last refurb in 2007, the 902-seat auditorium has glittered with gold leaf; the only disappointment following the work being that Matcham’s clever air-conditioning system (a circle of gas burners high up in the central dome to draw air through the theatre) is no longer allowed in the usual, tedious name of health and safety... Opera House, Buxton Address: Opera House, Water Street, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6XN Phone: Box office 01298 72190 (Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, 8pm on performance days), general admin inquiries 01298 72050. Facilities: The theatre has several bars serving locally produced beers, wines and chocolates. Snack boxes for adults and children are also available. Several local restaurants offer pre-and post-show meals. Disability access is as good as the building allow; only the stalls are accessible to wheelchairs. Call box office for details. Parking: Free parking after 6pm in the car park behind Pavilion Gardens, a short walk from both venues. Free street car parking after 6pm close to the theatre (but avoid residents-only areas. Go here and follow the booking route to your show choice. The Opera House also offers online and phone booking facilities for the nearby Pavilion Arts Centre cinema. Online box office:

About us There's a ton of theatre in the great theatres of the north. It can't all be great all the time, can it? Unfortunately your pocket is often the final judge. We hope to help you not waste your money, or perhaps suggest shows you wouldn't otherwise have tried, using the judgment we have hopefully sharpened over decades of reviewing thousands of shows. Yes, we've all been around a long time. Does that make us unqualified to give an opinion in an age of youth, experiment and change? Of course not: the things that make theatre great , rather than merely apposite or trendy, are potentially in all shows - namely great writing (text and music), great directing and great performing. There is little difference whether you are doing the latest anti-Trump polemic or Julius Caesar – well, except Shakespeare probably did it better. ​ Writers Reviewer Alan Hulme Former Theatre Editor, Manchester Evening News. Seen everything. Mostly enthusiastic, but reserves rave reviews for those that deserve them. Reviewer Robert Beale Music and theatre reviewer for the MEN and several national outlets. Been writing about music since Beethoven was a lad. Reviewer Paul Genty Former theatre/arts editor for the Oldham Evening Chronicle – the former Oldham Evening Chronicle, that is. A lot older than he believes he is. Reviewer Kate Goerner Gamekeeper-turned-poacher. Former PR chief for the biggest theatres in Manchester, then likewise for national tours by ever such famous people. Reviewer Jeffrey Wainwright Former northern theatre reviewer for The Independent , and a respected poet, critic and translator. Reviews carry no rhyming couplets, promise... Reviewer Jenny Daniel Doctor Jenny Daniel is a senior lecturer in musical theatre at Liverpool's Edge Hill University. So yes, she really does know what she's talking about... Reviewer Peter Ruddick BBC Breakfast TV reporter Peter would probably rather be known as a theatre man, after years as an amateur actor or theatre admin pro... Reviewer Heather Edwards Always a bit of a drama queen, Heather has enjoyed theatre and writing from an early age and throughout her career in print, broadcast and PR. Reviewer Linda Isted Has worked for everybody, including the BBC and a big Manchester PR company. Also, as you can see, an international woman of mystery... Reviewer Richard Evans Richard is a long-time educator who now looks critically at theatre, opera and dance after years of visiting for pleasure. It's knocked the smile off his face, we can tell you... Reviewer Joan Davies Not only a Manchester city councillor and devoted theatregoer, Joan is also a knowledgeable member of the city centre 's Green Badge tour guides.

Know your theatre: Part of the redevelopment of the previously derelict Salford Docks. Completed in 1999 at a cost of £106 million, The Lowry is named in honour of Salford-born artist L S Lowry. A huge success, considerably extending the range of shows on offer in Greater Manchester and a tourist destination in its own right. At its core are two theatres and a drama studio. The Lyric has 1,730 seats, while the Quays has 466 (and a word to the wise, if you must book circle seats in the Quays, make them row 'A' if you can). The two theatres host a wide range of touring plays, comedy, musicals, dance and opera, and the Lyric, impressively, has the largest stage in the UK outside London. The building has not only an art gallery, restaurant, snack bars, bars and shop, but also the one thing so many older theatres lack – plenty of loos. The Lowry, Salford Address: Pier 8, The Quays, Salford, M50 3AZ Phone: Box Office: 0843 208 6000, Groups: 0843 208 6003, Restaurant: 0161 876 2121 Access Line: 0161 876 2183 Facilities: The Lowry offers theatre, dance, opera and special-entertainment shows, an art gallery, a cafe, a gift shop and a restaurant/bar. The Lowry plaza offers a good alternative selection of restaurants. Parking: No street parking, but a large multi-storey car park is across the theatre plaza. Online box office: Go here , and follow the show links.

Know your theatre: Liverpool Playhouse The oldest repertory theatre building in England is a structure of two main parts, so highly regarded it is Grade II star listed, with sections dating back to 1844. The main theatre was built in 1866 as the Star Music Hall. Many alterations over the years gave way to the most radical change, in 1968, when a modern extension was added to house new foyers, bars, dressing rooms and a workshop. The Liverpool Repertory Company was established in 1911– one of the first – and bought the theatre for the equivalent of around £3m to make it the first rep to own the building’s freehold. Members of the acting company have included Richard Burton, Rex Harrison, John Thaw, Anthony Hopkins, Patricia Routledge, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Artistic director David Scase’s reign from 1963 – 67 is viewed as a magical period that featured Anthony Hopkins, Patrick Stewart and Warren Clarke, but most legendary is probably the "Gang of Four" – Alan Bleasdale, Chris Bond, Bill Morrison and Willy Russell – whose dazzling four years from 1981 premiered many hits, including Russell’s ever-present Blood Brothers . In 2000 the Playhouse joined forces with the Everyman to become Liverpool & Merseyside Theatres Trust, which now runs both. As well as the Playhouse's three-level, 677-seat auditorium there is a small upstairs studio seating 80. Address: Playhouse theatre, Williamson Square L1 1EL Phone: All inquiries: 0151 709 4776; email inquiries: boxoffice@everymanplayhouse.com ​ There is an easy way to find the Playhouse from virtually anywhere in Liverpool: look for the Radio City tower (it's at the back in the picture, left ) and the theatre is right under it... Being an old building there isn't much room for eating (the Everyman has a restaurant), but there are the usual theatre bars. The Playhouse offers relaxed, audio-described, BSL-interpreted and captioned performances at various times (check with box office or see here ); some stalls rows have level access (as do two seats in the circle) and there are five wheelchair spaces Facilities: Parking: Navigation: use L1 1EL to find the Playhouse. Williamson Square is a pedestrian zone not directly accessible by car. Theatre-recommended car parks are Queen Square, L1 1RH (£2.90 5pm-9am), and St Johns L1 1LQ (£2.50 after 6pm, closes at midnight). Other transport methods are covered here. Online box office: Tickets can be bought online by finding the show here and following the links. The link clovers both theatres ​

Know your theatre: The Grade II-listed 1912 Opera House in Quay Street, Manchester, is one of two major commercial theatres (with its sister Palace Theatre) in the centre of Manchester. The 1,915-seater plays host to major musicals, ballet, concerts and a Christmas pantomime. Distinguished by an ornate green and gold interior with highly-decorated plasterwork and brass, the Opera House seems more bygone-age (and if you want to read that as "cramped", be our guest) than its sister, though their capacities aren't very different. Notable productions include the European premiere of Oklahoma! in 1947 and the European premiere of West Side Story in 1958. The post-London staging of My Fair Lady ran for 205 performances in 1963/4, seen by 430,000 happy punters. In 1979 it became the plushest bingo hall in the country, but returned to live theatre in 1984 with Michael Crawford in Barnum . The Phantom Of The Opera opened there in 1993 and ran until 1995 - still a UK record regional run. Opera House, Manchester Address: Phone: Manchester Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HP Box Office 0844 871 3018, Groups 0333 009 5390 The Opera House tends to play ATG's touring musicals, pantomimes concerts and returning touring shows, though the programme is largely interchangeable with the Palace. Facilities-wise, there are several bars, all ornate and several rather cramped. There is some disabled access but theatres such as this impose severe access limitations. More info here . Facilities: Parking: Some on-street parking if you're early enough, otherwise Great Northern (not Great Northern 2) and Spinningfields NCP car parks offer discounted parking with a ticket validated within the theatre . Online box office: Go here and follow the link to your show.

Know your theatre: The former West Yorkshire Playhouse sits on Quarry Hill, at one end of Leeds city centre. As West Yorkshire Playhouse it opened its doors in March 1990 under artistic director Jude Kelly. Donald Sinden had turned the first sod in November 1987, Judi Dench had laid the foundation stone in March 1989 and Albert Finney had then performed the topping-out ceremony in September that year. From the start, the Playhouse has encompassed classics and contemporary British and European drama and inter-national modern theatre, and has implemented a vigorous new writing policy as well as pioneering community engagement work. Many of its produc-tions are toured. The building houses The Quarry (750-850 seats) and The Courtyard (400). The Bramall Rock Void studio theatre, seating around 100, is a new under-ground space mainly for new work. After a impressive £15.8m, 12-month renovation and changing its name to Leeds Playhouse – the name of the original company that operated before the move to Quarry Hill – the 30-year-old theatre re-opened in October 2019. The elevated site previously presented access problems but now, as well as the new studio theatre, remodelled restaurant and bars, new city-facing entrance with cafe open from 8 am, new seating in the two main auditoria and excellent (and plentiful) new loos, offers new lifts to every level of the multi-level site and a general raising of standards throughout. Leeds Playhouse Address: Phone: Playhouse Square, Quarry Hill, Leeds LS2 7UP Box office 0113 213 7700. Groups call 0113 213 7700. General inquiries 0113 213 7700. Facilities: Access to the refurbished theatre is now at street level through a new cafe entrance. The new Quarry auditorium seating is extremely comfortable, and the auditorium has an excellent curved rake and huge stage. Sight lines are superb and disabled access is excellent throughout. The Courtyard Theatre is below stairs (or lift) and very similar in size and style to The Lowry's Quays. A large main restaurant and bar serve the whole building and there are lots of nooks and spaces scattered about for coffee or wine. Great view across the city centre Parking: This is a city centre theatre, so parking isn’t ideal. The nearest is opposite, at John Lewis, called Victoria Leeds – very expensive during the day but £3 after 5pm. Very good for evening shows but bad for matinees. Other car parks can be found in the city centre, some cheaper if you are OK to walk a little way. Online box office: Go here and follow the booking route to your show choice

Know your theatre: Storyhouse is a theatre, cinema, central library and renowned restaurant. The theatre is in a new extension, behind the screen of the original Odeon, and is enviably flexible – from an 800-seat proscenium for touring shows and concerts, to a 500-seat thrust stage for in-house productions. There’s also a 150-seat studio and a linked bar. A 100-seat independent cinema is suspended in a box above the kitchens, restaurant and bar. Add the major library, meeting rooms, story-telling spaces, informal performance areas and a big screen that can be lowered from the original proscenium arch and it is unique, amazing and multi award-winning. Storyhouse was built in 1936 as an imposing, Art Deco Odeon cinema. Despite a couple of conversions to multiplex screens, the main internal fabric and proscenium arch remained intact. The building was listed Grade II in 1989, but closed in 2007 and remained unused until Storyhouse was completed in 2017. Chester lacked not only a cinema but also a professional theatre following the demise of the Gateway in 2007, and in 2012 the decision was made to revitalise the buil ding . The structure couldn’t accommodate a theatre, so an office block was bought to make way for what would be an integrated cultural hub. Sto ryhouse thus became one of the UK’s largest regional arts projects and, at £37m, the biggest capital development in Chester for 50 years, opened by the Queen in 2018. Around 150 community groups use Story-house and it had more than a million customers in its first year. Storyhouse also runs the popular Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre each summer. Storyhouse, Chester Address: Storyhouse, Hunter Street, Chester, CH1 2HH Phone: All calls: 01244 409 113 (booking, option #1; £2.50 phone booking fee). Facilities: As we suggest above, Storyhouse is far more than a theatre and comes equipped with all the supposed essentials of modern cultural life, from The Kitchen restaurant (which also serves as a daytime cafe and snack bar) and Garret rooftop bar, to full disabled access and parking (check here ) . Parking: Many of the areas surrounding Storyhouse are pedestrianised, or have narrow streets with difficult access. The nearest car parks are: Market car park , (CH12BB), and Delamere Street car park (CH22AY) Online box office: Go here and follow the booking route to your show choice Picture: cPeter Cook

It's a Mother****ing Pleasure with FlawBored Blackpool Grand new season Shed: Exploded View Cavalleria Rusticana & Aleko Examining the Guildford Poltergeist The Gap Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening! The Salon The Sequel Welcome to Theatre Reviews North ​ We're a small group of professional theatre reviewers from local, regional and national newspapers and journals, bringing you news and reviews from across the region in a daily theatre news blog ​ Enjoy reading - love theatre! Latest reviews... Joan Davies 2 days ago Shed: Exploded View Robert Beale 2 days ago Cavalleria Rusticana & Aleko Robert Beale 3 days ago The Gap Linda Isted 4 days ago Drop the Dead Donkey: The Reawakening! Read more reviews Latest news... It's a Mother****ing Pleasure with FlawBored 16 minutes ago Blackpool Grand new season 1 day ago Examining the Guildford Poltergeist 2 days ago The Salon The Sequel 5 days ago Read more news

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.

Know your theatre: The Royal Northern College of Music is the biggest and arguably best music conservatoire in the country. Built in 1972 in Oxford Road’s academic quarter in Manchester, and since considerably expanded, it was always planned as an arts centre as well as an educational institution, so has many concerts by students and touring performers, and its student opera productions have turned up many future stars. Facilities include a big concert hall with theatre-style technical kit, a recital room and two theatres, the 650-seat RNCM Theatre and a smaller subterranean studio theatre. The larger theatre was created with opera in mind and has a stage the size of that at Covent Garden, with superb backstage and technical facilities and a large orchestra pit. Audience seating is in one near-rectangular block with a good rake, so all areas have excellent sight lines. Once inside you are often amid the buzzing centre of a large student community and may have to fight off young bohemians to get near the bar - but they have a nice restaurant on site as well as canteen-style light refreshments at most performance times. RNCM, Manchester Address: Phone: RNCM, 124 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9RD Box office 0161 907 5555 (11am-6pm Mon-Sat, later on performance nights, also from one hour before Sunday performances. General inquiries 0161 907 5200 Facilities: The RNCM building is relatively modern and thus comes with modern facilities and access, including bars and a restaurant (named after former principal Adolph Brodsky). Disabled visitors can get to all halls, and can call 0161 907 5300 to reserve a disabled parking space. Parking: Parking near the venue can be a problem, though there is an RNCM underground pay-park open evenings and weekends only. Two other car parks are nearby. See here for details Online box office: Go here and follow the booking route to your show choice

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