This upcoming season, the Grand Opera House York promises an unforgettable array of performances that span from classic pantomime to soul-stirring operas. The calendar is packed with enchanting shows like Beauty and the Beast, emotional musical tales such as Blood Brothers, and exhilarating live concerts including The Simon and Garfunkel Story. With award-winning productions like Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors and Ellen Kent's mesmerizing operas, this season offers something for every theater enthusiast. Join us as we delve into the highlights of these extraordinary events that promise to captivate, entertain, and inspire audiences of all ages.

Grand Opera House York: A Spectacular Season of Theater and Music

A tale as old as pantomime itself is coming back to York! Prepare to be enchanted by the timeless charm of Beauty and the Beast, bubbling with all the "It's behind you!"s, pointless puns and pop culture satire you'd expect from a Christmas panto of this calibre. 

With a script written by British Pantomime Award Winner Jon Monie, expect fun, laughter and more in this spellbinding production.

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Beauty and The Beast

Grand Opera House

The enviably fresh-faced Jamie Cullum has navigated the jazz and pop landscape for the last two decades and still maintains his youthful persona and energy. Since the release of his self-funded Pointless Nostalgic, his Jazz credentials have morphed further than standards, seeing this singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist collaborate with diversely different artists, such as John Legend, Lady Gaga, Burt Bacharach, and more. In addition to performing, Cullum has hosted a radio show on BBC Radio 2 since 2010, which has become an institution for jazz fans.

Jamie Cullum

York Barbican

Following a smash-hit debut tour in 2021, Fairytale of New York returns for 2023, offering another opportunity to indulge in an all-out, all-Irish Christmas extravaganza! Expect to hear some of the season's best-loved songs, including of course, the iconic Fairy Tale of New York, alongside some of the Emerald Isle's biggest hits, such as Galway Girl, The Irish Rover, Wagon Wheel, Danny Boy, Dirty Old Town and many more.

Fairytale of New York

Grand Opera House York

See Britain's best loved sea shanty group, Fisherman's Friends, live on tour in the UK in 2024! Long before the recent Wellerman Tiktok craze, the Cornish singers were arguably the first modern group to bring shanty singing back to the mainstream. Singing old sea songs together in their Port Isaac hometown since the mid-90s, the group unexpectedly signed a million-pound record deal with Universal in 2010 and were catapulted from their lives as fishermen and coastguards who loved to sing, into national folk music superstars.

Since then they've made regular huge festival appearances (including on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury), toured regularly and now even have a movie and musical telling their story. Expect a night of joyous harmony, infectious folk songs and more than a barrel o' laughs to go with it.

Fisherman's Friends

Eight-time Tony and four-time Olivier Award-winning musical smash hit Hairspray spreads its toe-tapping magic across the UK once more during a hotly anticipated regional tour in 2024! Based on the 1988 feature film, the effervescent production first wowed audiences in Seattle in the early 2000s, with acclaimed Broadway and West End runs following soon after. 

Hairspray

Following on from the success of their brilliant adaptations of Gangsta Granny, Billionaire Boy and Demon Dentist, Awful Auntie" class="css-u850">Awful Auntie is set to be another rollercoaster romp. Set in 1933, join Stella Saxby, the newly orphaned heir to Saxby Hall, as she pits her wits against her titular Awful Auntie Alberta, who'll stop at nothing to steal Stella's inheritance! Another classic Walliams' adventure, expect laughs-a-plenty, spectacular effects, ghosts, schemes, twists, and more, including a particularly big owl as Stella battles her Awful Auntie to win the day!

Awful Auntie

Oh Jason! That's right, 80s soap and musical theatre legend Jason Donovan* is donning the corset and fishnets of Dr. Frank'N'Furter and stepping onto the stage in this limited run of Richard O'Brein's The Rocky Horror Show!

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

After quite a few years since we bid farewell to Del Boy, Rodney and the gang from Peckham, the disaster-prone, fortune hunters are back, but this time in a hilarious musical! Based on the hit TV show enjoy your favourite characters like never before in this unique and hilarious event.

Only Fools and Horses - The Musical

Are you a self-proclaimed Swiftie? Didn't get tickets to her Eras tour? Worry not, Taylormania might be the night you've been waiting for. This award-winning production pays tribute to one of the most highly regarded pop artists in modern history.

Taylormania

Get ready to swing like the King at the best Elvis Tribute Concert in the business! There'll be much shimmying and shaking as four revolving Elvis sound and lookalikes take to the stage to perform legendary songs like Blue Suede Shoes, Hound Dog, A Little Less Conversation and Love Me Tender. If you closed your eyes, its the closest thing to an audience with the King!

The Elvis Tribute Artist Spectacular

The rollicking animal adventure 101 Dalmatians is going on tour! Based on the classic children's story by English novelist Dodie Smith, the reimagined version of the 2022 Regent's Park production will feature book by Johnny McKnight, stage adapted by award-winning playwright Zinnie Harris and music is by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Douglas Hodge.

101 Dalmatians

Perfect for youngsters and their families, David Wood OBE's family production will delight and entertain. There'll be plenty of chaos, magic and sing-along songs to keep the cubs entertained as the Tiger travels around the UK! Since its publication way back in 1968, it has sold over four million copies worldwide and has been translated in over 20 different languages.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

A lofty adventure awaits those who climb the ladder up to this incredible tree house. With 13 stories of fun, including a see-through swimming pool, an underground bowling alley, and much much more, it's the perfect home for Andy and Terry, who're ready to bring their brand-new play to stages across the UK. The only problem? They've not written it yet! Join these two on their zaniest adventure yet as they attempt to craft a show for the ages - with your help!

The 13-Storey Treehouse

George is tired of being the scruffiest giant in town, so when he sees a shop with spiffy giant clothes in the window, he is overjoyed that he is finally the smartest giant! But when he meets a group of animals who need his help (and his clothes) it's time to choose between looking good and helping others. A glorious musical of kindness and friendship, The Smartest Giant in Town is the latest

The Smartest Giant In Town

Are you someone who loves singing along to the soundtracks of your favourite musicals? Well now you can do it at the theatre with a crowd of others! Massaoke - Sing The Musicals is an unforgettable karaoke experience, in which a live band and character vocalists

Massaoke - Sing The Musicals

Following sold-out shows in North America, The Simon and Garfunkel returns to the UK! A theatrical-style concert experience, this show traces the life and times of the influential 60s act with video projections and vintage clips, and of course, live performances of loads of the duo's greatest hits, from 'Mrs Robinson,' to 'The Sound of Silence.'

The Simon and Garfunkel Story

While the real golden-haired crooner might be ensconced in a Las Vegas casino, this stunning production is here to offer the top Rod Stewart tribute concert experience, courtesy of the Roddest Rod, the impeccably talented Paul Metcalfe.

Exuding the look, sound and raw energy of Stewart, Metcalfe and band are back to take you on a fantastic journey through Rod's storied five-decade career, offering a feast of his biggest hits, including early highlights such as 'Handbags & Gladrags', 'Stay With Me' and anthemic bangers 'Maggie May','Do Ya Think I'm Sexy?' and many, many more.

Some Guys Have All the Luck - The Rod Stewart Story

Yorkminster Park Baptist Church

Leading British theatremaker Ellen Kent presents the 2025 UK tour of them most romantic opera in the world, Puccini's La Boheme. The hotly anticipated production promises a full orchestra, lavish costumes and sets, as well as internationally acclaimed singers, a brass band, whirling snow effects and rumour has it, a real dog!

Ellen Kent's La Boheme

Experience the bittersweet wonder of Puccini's beloved masterpiece once more in this glorious production from esteemed director Ellen Kent. Back on tour in 2025 due to popular demand, it's a mesmerizing and sumptuous affair that highlights Puccini's greatest score with spectacular sets and costumes including a breathtaking Japanese garden.  One of the most popular works in the repertoire, prepare to be swept up in the story of a young Japanese woman and her heartbreaking relationship with a dashing American Naval Officer.

Ellen Kent's Madama Butterfly

, the legendary hit takes to the road this year on tour, bringing the emotional tale of two brothers torn asunder by fate to you. Including modern classics such as 'Tell Me It's Not True', 'Marylin Monroe' and 'Bright New Day' among many more, discover once more (or for the first time) the heartwrenching yet uplifting journey that is this special show.



Blood Brothers

Liverpool Empire

The award-winning Horrible Histories return to the stage in February, taking their Awful Egyptians live show on tour around the country! Leaning into their brand message of 'history with the nasty bits left in', this show takes a look at the egregious escapades of the ancient Egyptians, from monstrous mummies to Pharoahs and pyramids! With special effects, live actors and a whole heap of horrible fun, this is history - but not as you know it!

Educational, hilarious, and always full of horrible, gory details, the HH team never fails to disappoint with their iconic stage shows. Don't miss this newest iteration, as it heads to a town near you in 2025!

Horrible Histories: Awful Egyptians

The award-winning Horrible Histories heads out on tour in 2025 with their newest show based on everyone's favourite HH book; Terrible Tudors! Leaning into their brand message of 'history with the nasty bits left in' this newest jaunt will tackle the infamous Tudor dynasty, from Henry VIII's punch-up with the pop and predilection for murdering his wives, to Evil Elizabeth and the madness of the Spanish Armada, this is history - but not as you know it!

Horrible Histories: Terrible Tudors

Year after year the legacy of Fleetwood Mac only gains more and more fans and this all-new tribute show is no exception!

Celebrating their iconic Rumours lineup, Go Your Own Way offers an authentic and exciting 'Mac experience re-created by a hugely talented ensemble of performers, taking on some of the band's most beloved tunes, including Dreams, Don't Stop, Everywhere, Rhiannon, Gold Dust Woman, Little Lies, Big Love and much more!

Known as much for their infamous relationship dynamics as their music, Fleetwood Mac was formed in 1967 and made up of a fusion of British and American musicians. With multiple lineup changes over the years, it was the Lindsay Buckingham, Stevie Nicks, Christine and John McVie era that truly cemented their status as rock and roll legends.

Go Your Own Way

Plenty of us fondly remember rushing down to the shops to pick up each new release of "NOW, That's What I Call Music!", the thrice-yearly compilation of Top-10 hits that has become a mainstay in British culture since the 80s. Now, from comedian Pippa Evans and director and choreographer Craig Revel Horwood (Strictly Come Dancing) comes a brand new musical inspired by the classic compilations! Premiering in Autumn 2024, NOW That's What I Call A Musical 

NOW That's What I Call a Musical

Since its publication in 1934, Agatha Christie's iconic locomotive whodunnit Murder On The Orient Express has thrilled and chilled readers and audiences with subsequent stage/screen adaptations over the decades, including a Hollywood blockbuster or two. In a new staging by Ken Ludwig, director Lucy Bailey and Firey Angel Productions don't miss this elegant tale of murder and mystery as it

Murder on the Orient Express

After thrilling London audiences back in 2020, Sally Cookson's innovative staging of C.S Lewis' seminal novel heads out on a new UK tour! A captivating production that uses ingenious stagecraft in the place of flashy effects to tell the story of four evacuee siblings who discover an enchanted realm at the back of a dusty old wardrobe and the epic adventure that awaits...

The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

Whip-Crack Away! Carrie Hope Fletcher is steppin' into Calamity Jane's cowgirl boots for this brand-new tour of the classic musical! A free-wheelin' musical set in the Wild West, the show follows the romance between frontierswoman Calamity and folk hero Wild Bill Hickock, as they work together to restore order to Deadwood City. Soundtracked by toe-tappin' musical numbers like 'It's Harry I'm

Grand Opera House York

Dec 7, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025

Beauty and The Beast

5 - 6 Feb, 2025

The Smartest Giant In Town

Feb 8, 2025

Massaoke - Sing The Musicals

Feb 12, 2025

The Simon and Garfunkel Story

Feb 14, 2025

Some Guys Have All the Luck - The Rod Stewart Story

Dec 7, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025

Beauty and The Beast

Nov 12, 2024

Jamie Cullum

Articles & News

Grand Opera House York