Manchester

Canal Street?

Different sort of drama. 

Avoid. 

Sean will definitely be there... Todd might be too. Sophie perhaps, with the one from the factory (the daughter) and the creepy army one who's telling fibs. Oh, and Billy...

But not Emily. She's in Peru.

None. They don't. 

Well, Taurus Bar has a little space where they put on the odd production. But apart from that the village about getting tanked up with a bit of drag thrown in.  

manchestertheatres.com gives all of the places on one website except for The Hope Mill for some reason. 

You should pop over to Liverpool. In my opinion they have better theatres and productions there.

The huge Liverpool Empire theatre (one of the biggest in the country) has all the touring musicals and is worth seeing for the auditorium alone, The Royal Court (where Judy Dench made her professional debut) does Scouse humoured in-house comedies that are a hoot (13 pounds a ticket too), the huge Echo Arena is home to concerts, comedians and the odd huge Christmas musical, The creative Playhouse and Everyman theatres (home of Blood Brothers, Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine) take smaller tours like 39 steps and also produce their own high end work (like The Royal Exchange in Manchester) then you have the theatre at LIPA, The George Epstein Theatre, The Unity theatre (used for more experimental/student work) and finally the breathtaking Philharmonic Concert Hall with its sensational Art Deco design.

Liverpool is the place to be! 

Lol. 

But rather smaller. It's actually just half a street, with buildings on one side and a canal on the other.

If you need a Friday matinee, To Kill A Mockingbird is on at the Bolton Octagon.

The gay village comprises of several streets. Just as soho is more than Soho Square, or Old Compton street. The village is not as big as soho but it is more than Canal Street. 

So have just completed week mini tour and heading home. But adding to this thread to thank board members for their suggestions.

Dirty Dancing***. (Dartford)
Did I have the time of my life? No. Was it terrible? No
Just a load of old fluff, with performances that are consistent for touring theatre.

The Entertainer*** (West End)
Had a spare afternoon before my jaunt up north, wouldn't of seen anything that afternoon, but won the lottery and a £15 ticket too good to turn down.
Not overly convinced and a lover of Kenneth Brannagh though.

The Sound of Music*** (Oxford)
Bill Kenwright has cheapened a classic piece, the Von Trapp children have been culled to 6 now.
However how poor the production was, still means the piece is brilliant and from the most prolific stable of musical theatre, composers: Rogers and Hammerstein, who with their excellent perception of composing redefined the musical landscape.
I was hoping that the Curve production was being used here, It was the Christmas show, a couple year back.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang*** (Birmingham)
Saw this at Christmas in Leeds with Jon Robyns and thought he was a very weak lead, this has improved with Lee Mead who was a lot better value for money. Still disappointed that Chitty sails and flies, but doesn't go forward.The production is very projection heavy, which can be giddy at times.

To Kill A Mockinbird**** (Bolton)
An excellent production and very well acted, especially Rob Edwards, who is a great Articus Finch.

Thanks to meso77 who suggested this, I wouldn't have seen it otherwise

Cats*** (Stoke On Trent)
Saw this several times at the New London and didn't fall in love with it, due to no story, however seeing the latest offering at the Palladium made me see this through a different lens and enjoy the intricacies of the piece - However seeing the tour wasn't mind blowing and quite insipid, this had no comparison that played the West End recently.
However Marianne Benedict who played the important minor role of Grizabella, delivered Memorys with great verve and passion, so all was not lost.

Brasses Off*** (Oldham)
The acting standard was no where near the standard of Mockingbird, however it was endearing to see a story about the area, played out in the local community, made the provenance of the show was special. About brass bands that were formed in the many collieries and a certain lady that wants to join. As a bonus there was a real brass band that played with all their heart.

Thanks benny20 for your suggestion, wouldn't have seen it otherwise.

A Streetcar Named Desire***** (Manchester)
Suppose the Royal Exchange is the Northern Donmar Warehouse?
Here you had a Northern Lass playing a Southerm Belle and Maxine Peake gives on of those extraordinary affecting performances that will be remembered.

Matilda***** (West End)
Train back from Manchester I detoured on the way to catch the 3pm performance today. I haven't seen this for a long time, but must have seen it, at least 8 times and still notice new bits The young lady playing Matilda played her very last performance today, cue tears at the curtain but saying that I still cannot comprehend how an actress so young and this is the Matlilda's collectively can be so skilled and talented at such a young age.
Also thought Craige Els who played Miss Trunchball was incredible and Charlotte Scott the understudy for Miss Honey was outstanding.