From biographical theatre to enchanting magic shows, Manchester becomes a cultural melting pot this year, offering a range of performances that challenge, entertain, and inspire.

A Tapestry of Creativity: Celebrating Diverse Performances at The University of Manchester

The curtain rises for Siegfried & Joy: With glowing energy and golden euphoria, the king tigers of the magic scene storm the stage to enchant everyone! With fabulous tricks, wild stories and, above all, charm, humour and a great love of magic, the two Berlin disco magicians are now coming to Manchester.
Hardly anyone has been able to escape the magic of the two new superstars of magic in recent years - whether on the Internet or in theatres around the world: When Siegfried & Joy float across the stage or spread out their magical golden cloth, they destroy all magic show clichés and not only make the disco balls go crazy. 

Las Vegas in Manchester

The University of Manchester

We are excited to welcome Laura Lootens to the stage this summer, emerging as one of the most exciting voices of the classical guitar. 

Named one of Classic FM's Rising Stars of 2024, Laura Lootens’ critically acclaimed recital programme Diabolico is sweeping across the UK this June. Gramophone calls it "fearless intensity" — pure theatre, pure drama, exceptional command. The programme journeys from Paganini's grand bravado through Rodrigo's Spanish lyricism and Rochberg's modern complexity, culminating in the darkly thrilling Capriccio Diabolico. Witness a truly exceptional artist at the height of her powers.

A musical prodigy, Laura began her university studies at just fifteen. After winning First Prize at the 2022 Andres Segovia International Competition, she joined the faculty of the University of Music and Performing Arts Munich at the age of just twenty-two. 

Diabolico

Manchester-based grime artist, rapper and performer Hypes is one of the leading figures in the northern urban music scene, known for his complex lyrics addressing topics such as mental health, education and the legacy of the Windrush generation. He is currently developing a new multi-media music theatre show – The Treatment – exploring hyperactivity, the ADHD brain and adult diagnosis.

Music and Mental Health with Hypes

In partnership with SICK! Festival 2026 we are welcoming IN BED WITH MY BROTHER to the stage for their three-act biopic, Philosophy Of The World. 

Ridiculed then revered, The Shaggs defied categorisation. IN BED WITH MY BROTHER attempt to wrangle their story into a three-act biopic. Part tribute act, part feminist reclamation, part rambling flight of ideas. PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD is about fate, freewill, power, patriarchy, band t-shirts, daddy issues, and the best worst album ever made. It’s about who holds the power to define you - who gets to say whether you’re a legend or loser - who owns the right (and the rights) to tell your story. 

Philosophy Of The World

If you go down to the woods today, you’re sure of a big surprise…

After committing a violent act with her partner, Jake, feminist Jen becomes obsessed with a survey asking women if they’d rather be alone in a forest with a man or a bear.

Bears Bears Bears is a wild and electric drama that explores power dynamics within relationships, nature vs nurture, and what it means to be a feminist.  It is written by Natalie Beech, directed by Connor Goodwin, and produced by Divided Culture Co.

Winner of the 2025 DCC Playwriting Prize - expect horror, comedy, performance art, and a lot of bears.

Visiting for a strictly limited run from 6-16 May, don’t miss your chance to catch this explosive world premiere.

Bears Bears Bears

A hilarious circus and musical romp - combining queer theatre, cabaret, circus and illusion.

Trompe l'Oeil is an American drag queen's journey through a surreal Wizard of Oz / 2016 American landscape - with drag kings and queens, jaw-dropping sex fiends and flying bats and trampolines!  

Not to be overlooked is the show’s lyrical virtuosity, where hidden messages are impossibly written within. Now in its 6th year, with Off Broadway and London shows to its credit - Trompe l'Oeil is more cultish, prescient - and necessary - than ever!

Trompe l'Oeil

Step into Soul Safari, an immersive concert with singer Macharia, blending her own original compositions with Kenyan coastal and Kikuyu folk traditions. With music in Swahili, Kikuyu, and English, Macharia invites the audience on a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and cultural storytelling. Call-and-response moments, visual elements inspired by Kenyan heritage, and heartfelt narratives create an intimate, reflective, and celebratory performance.

Soul Safari - Macharia

This enchanting stage show is brought to life by the undeniable talent of Shelley-Davina, along with two remarkable singers, two captivating dancers, and a mesmerizing aerialist.

Diva of the Decades

Contact

Join them as they blow the dust off the classics to stage a multi-art form political occupation of stories steeped in racism, patriarchy and violence.

Who The F--k Is Shakespeare?

Sathnam’s seminal 2021 bestseller Empireland revealed how Empire continues to shape life in Britain today. Its inspired sequel Empireworld, published in 2024, takes a significant step further in examining the wider global significance of British Imperial power. Sathnam and Alan’s conversation will reflect on just how deeply British Imperialism remains baked into our world today.

How Has British Imperialism Shaped The Modern World?

Tooth fairies, Olett and Pebbles, are issued with a tooth recovery order. Their late night mission leads them to a prison, and to a cell shared by Mason and Lewis. Perplexed by the sight of these mythical 'grown-ups' and the shocking conditions in which they live, the fairies take the radical decision not to leave the traditional coin and instead leave something that they think will be more practical.

Befuddled

Join acclaimed poets Ilisha Thiru Purcell, Princess Arinola Adegbite and Jeremy Pak Nelson (and special guests) for an immersive, multimedia exploration of the meaning of Home, Sleep and AI.

Ai, Home, Sleep And Me

Now celebrating its tenth year, the Allusionist presents a brand new live show, Souvenirs, telling the story of a friendship torn apart by… a font.

The Allusionist Presents Souvenirs

Third Space is a brand new piece of work created by an entirely neurodiverse company, specifically for a neurodiverse audience.

Third Space

North West Powerlifting presents the SBD Manchester Open for the second year at Contact in Manchester.

Manchester Open 2024

Join us for the official homecoming launch event for Blue Machine, Dr Helen Czerski’s exploration of the “ocean engine”—the physics behind the ocean’s systems—and why it matters.

Dr Helen Czerski: Blue Machine: How The Ocean Shapes Our World

Our annual sampler evening of new performance returns to Contact with a trio of new works-in-development from artists Christian Asare, Jade Williams, Kellie Colbert — searching for identity on the tightrope of our histories, amidst the isolation of our immediate pasts and within the armour of our presents.

Works Ahead 2023

We're thrilled to be welcoming The Big Tiny back to Contact's castle for another year of Pantomime fun following their hilarious (and critically acclaimed) 2025 show Rumpelstiltskin. 
Get ready for even more magic, mirth and mischief, as we bring Sleeping Beauty to the stage for another fairy tale ending.
It's never too early to think ahead, so book your 2026 tickets today! Whether that's a Christmas gift locked and ready to go, or a festive treat lined up for yourself… you'll be ready a year in advance. Do your future-self a favour, and get the tickets booked today!

Contact

10 - 31 Dec, 2026

Sleeping Beauty Pantomime

9 - 10 Nov, 2026

Las Vegas in Manchester

Jun 18, 2026

Diabolico

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