Singin' in the Rain at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre

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Sat 29 Nov 2025 - Sun 18 Jan 2026

Some might say that the last thing Manchester needs is more rain, whether that reputation is deserved or not. But the city's Royal Exchange Theatre is bringing more wet weather to the city, at least in the form of Singing in the Rain . The musical will be on the main stage, from 29th November 2025 to 18 January 2026.



The romantic comedy focuses on Don Lockwood, whose career is in jeopardy as the silent film era fades with the advent of talkies, especially as his performance style is ill-suited to the new medium.

After a faltering start to their working relationship, Don recruits aspiring actress Kathy Selden as a dubbing artist for the sonically challenged Lina Lamont. Could love be the silver lining that will edge out the dark clouds?

Apart from the titular song, (which famously featured Gene Kelly getting soaked while spinning an umbrella), the musical includes such numbers as You Were Meant for Me, All I Do Is Dream of You, Fit as a Fiddle (And Ready for Love). and Make ‘em laugh.

Betty Comden and Adolph Green, who wrote the screenplay for the 1952 MGM film, decided that many of Nacio Herb Brown and Arthur Freed’s songs, which they had at their disposal, were originally written during the twilight of silent films. They decided that the cinematic story should be set during that changing time in Hollywood’s history.

The Royal Exchange’s stage version will be directed by Raz Shaw, who was behind the theatre’s wickedly camp production of The Producers in December 2018.

It will be interesting to see how a musical so famous on the big screen translates into a theatre-in-the-round setting.

The theatre has also announced its programme, leading up to its end-of-year show

Liberation
27 June – 26 July

The Royal Exchange’s contribution to the Manchester International Festival (MIF25) is a new drama by Ntombizodwa Nyoni. It explores the 1945 Pan-African Congress, 80 years after its residency in Chorlton-on-Medlock Town Hall.

Jamaican social worker Alma La Badie is grappling with the truth behind who must be sacrificed for the cause. And what of the revered Amy Ashwood-Garvey? How does she ensure the voices of Black women are heard?



Among attendees, demanding an end to colonial rule, racial discrimination were Hastings Banda, Kwame Nkrumah and Jomo Kenyatta, who would go on to be the first presidents of their newly independent countries - Malawi, Ghana and Kenya, respectively.

The production includes original music by Ife Ogunjobi from the Mercury Prize-winning Ezra Collective.

Dancing at Lughnasa
10 October – 8 November

Brian Friel’s play is set in the fictional town of Ballybeg in 1936. Michael Evans recounts the rural summer in his aunts' - the Mundy sisters’ - cottage when he was seven years old. The winds of cultural change were blowing in, bringing challenges and opportunities with them.

“I want to dance, Kate. It’s the festival of Lughnasa. I’m only thirty-five. I want to dance.”

The play premiered in 1990 at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. This revival will be directed by Elizabeth Newman as a co-production between the Exchange and Sheffield Theatres.



Away from the main stage, the community-focused Den Festival will take place in Stalybridge Civic Hall in Tameside, every weekend from 9 May - 1 June.



The pop-up mobile theatre space will feature drama, music, workshops, shows, comedy and dance. A play about Tameside - No Such Thing as Ordinary has been created from the stories of the people who live there by writer Rachel McMurray.

Also, on the bill are: Best Mates, Top Bins & Venga Venga, the Royal Exchange’s collaboration with Tameside schools and local writers Lekhani Chirwa and Lauren-Nicole Mayes.

HER Productions are remounting their rendition of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.

The Den will also return to Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley in August 2025, with further details to be announced.

Let's hope that no rain stops play.

For more information click here.

The Theatre, Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann's Square, Manchester M2 7DH
0161 833 9833



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