Enjoy a year of unmissable drama's, world class dance productions and family favourite shows at Salford's iconic theatre that is a cultural beacon, Lowry. Lowry has been spreading the joy of art and creativity for 25 years. As a charity, Lowry puts every pound back into fantastic projects across local communities, nurturing young talent and creating a programme as diverse and open minded as Salford itself. 

With something for everyone, from Olivier Award winning dramas, family favourites that bring best-selling books to life, musicals bursting with unforgettable songs, and breath-taking award winning dance performances, now is the perfect time to immerse yourself into the world of theatre with a year of jam-packed spectacular shows. 

Here's Visit Manchester's top 10 must-see shows for 2025:

Dear England: Olivier Award Winner

Dear England

The National Theatre’s Olivier-Award winning smash hit is coming to Salford for four weeks…

Dear England is coming to Lowry for four weeks only from 29th May, following a record-breaking run in the West End. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game? The team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land.

Written by James Graham and directed by Rupert Goold, this ‘back-of-the-net winner’ (The i) is ‘more entertaining than a World Cup final’ (Tatler).

Chicago: Olivier, Grammy, Tony Award Winner

CHICAGO, the "sexiest musical ever" (Metro) is back in Salford on the 25th August 2025.

“Murder, greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and treachery…all those things we hold near and dear to our hearts”. So begins the international multi-award-winning musical, CHICAGO. Set amidst the razzle-dazzle decadence of the 1920s, CHICAGO is the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife and nightclub dancer who murders her on-the-side lover after he threatens to walk out on her. Desperate to avoid conviction, she dupes the public, the media and her rival cellmate, Velma Kelly, by hiring Chicago’s slickest criminal lawyer to transform her malicious crime into a barrage of sensational headlines, the likes of which might just as easily be ripped from today's tabloids.

Created by the musical theatre talents of John Kander, Fred Ebb and legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, CHICAGO’s sexy, sassy score with one show-stopping song after another includes “Razzle Dazzle”, “Cell Block Tango”, and “All That Jazz”. With 6 Tony Awards, 2 Olivier Awards, a Grammy® and thousands of standing ovations, CHICAGO truly is “SUPERB” (Daily Telegraph).

Breath-taking Ballet

Matthew Bourne's The Midnight Bell 01 Jul 2025

Matthew Bourne’s award-winning The Midnight Bell comes to Salford for the first time in 2025. In 1930s London ordinary people emerge from cheap boarding houses nightly to pour out their passions, hopes and dreams in the pubs and fog-bound streets of Soho and Fitzrovia. Step inside The Midnight…

Quadrophenia, a Mod Ballet 15 Jul 2025

Presented by Sadler's Wells and Universal Music UK Meet the new generation… In 1973, guitar smashing rock genius Pete Townshend wrote QUADROPHENIA. Recorded by The Who - it quickly became an iconic and multi-million selling album. Quadrophenia defined a generation and in 1979 inspired the…

Thrilling Drama's

Peter James' Picture You Dead 16 Apr 2025

Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is back, for the seventh Peter James stage adaptation, with the bestselling Picture You Dead. Back home in Brighton, DCI Grace investigates a cold case that leads him to the rarefied air of fine art but beneath the respectable veneer lurks a dark underworld of…

Boys from the Blackstuff 22 Apr 2025

Liverpool’s Royal Court and National Theatre production, presented by Bill Kenwright Ltd Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families. But there is no work and there is no money. What are they supposed to do? Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper…

Family favourites

Room on the Broom 15 Apr 2025

Based on the best-selling book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Iggety ziggety zaggety zoom! Jump on board the broom with the witch and her cat in Tall Stories’ fun-filled adaptation of Room on the Broom, the best-selling picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The witch and…

The Baddies 02 May 2025

Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Meet the very worst Baddies in the world! Don’t you dare to come too close to a witch, a troll and an ancient ghost! The Baddies love being bad. They roar, spook and cast wicked spells to try and scare a girl out of her wits…who…

Discover more unmissable shows...

Modern Life: The LS Lowry Collection 27 Mar 2025

Lowry is home to the world’s largest public collection of paintings and drawings by LS Lowry. A large selection is on display in their permanent exhibition alongside other works on loan from private collections across the UK.  LS Lowry is one of the most popular British painters of all…

NT Connections Festival 27 Mar 2025

Connections is the National Theatre's annual, nationwide youth theatre festival. The programme is 30 years old and has a history of championing the talent of young people from across the UK. Every year, Connections commissions new plays for young people to perform. The programme brings together…

Milton Jones: Ha!Milton 29 Mar 2025

This is not a musical. Milton Jones is tone deaf and has no sense of rhythm, but at least he doesn’t make a song and dance about it. He has more important things to discuss. Like giraffes…and there’s a bit about tomatoes. You might know him from Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo…

How To Fail Live with Elizabeth Day 30 Mar 2025

For the first time EVER, your favourite podcast is going on a nationwide tour. Get your tickets now for How to Fail LIVE and join creator and host Elizabeth Day for an uplifting, hilarious, moving and unforgettable evening. Elizabeth and her very special guest will peel back the layers of pressure…

Murder, She Didn't Write 30 Mar 2025

Don your deerstalker, grab your magnifying glass and get your ‘finger of suspicion’ at the ready because Edinburgh Fringe favourites, Degrees of Error, are bringing back their multiple sell-out show for your sleuthing pleasure. They’ll create a classic murder mystery on-the-spot in…

Homecoming 01 Apr 2025

What happens when your world falls apart? HOMECOMING blends storytelling, dynamic choreography, and cutting-edge technology to trace the journey of a woman on a quest to reconnect with her lost sense of self. Through a stunning live performance interwoven with immersive holographic projections, we…

Find out more...

A magnificent building alongside Salford Quays, inside visitors will find three stunning theatres alongside galleries showcasing artists of local, national and international renown. The Lyric (the largest stage in England outside London) and the more intimate Quays. With a huge variety of…

To find out more about what shows are on or box office details please visit Lowry.

You may also be interested in...

Skipinnish 05 May 2025

Skipinnish

Skipinnish are without a doubt one of Scotland’s most exciting exports. Riding an ever-growing wave…