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Greater Manchester Fringe 2024

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2024
Image courtesy of Amy Webber/ Greater Manchester Fringe Festival.

Greater Manchester Fringe 2024 at The Fitzgerald, Manchester HOME Manchester, Manchester The Kings Arms, Chapel Street and other venues... 1 — 31 July 2024 Entrance is free — Visit now

This July, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival returns for its 13th year. A huge celebration of theatre and performance in the North, we love that the festival offers a fascinating and diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.

A creative hotbed of new work, the festival brings some of the most up-and-coming writers and performers to the region – many to showcase their work ahead of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Springing up in a number of venues across the city, festival-goers will find an eclectic programme of drama, comedy, music, mime, children’s shows, storytelling, visual arts, spoken word and stand-up on offer. Most pleasingly, the festival comes with affordable ticket prices, offering access to a non-traditional theatre-going audience.

Spilling out across Greater Manchester, performances will take place in several different venues including HOME Manchester, Salford Arts Theatre, The Fitzgerald, The Edge, Chorlton, Whitefield Garrick and The King’s Arms.

Faith by Mike Heath at HOME
Faith, a new play by Mike Heath at HOME. Image courtesy of Greater Manchester Fringe.

Highlights of the 2024 festival include Faith, a brand new play by the award-winning writer Mike Heath, telling the story of a gay couple who clash with a devout Catholic mother at their wedding. We’re also championing Red Brick Theatre’s Moult, a darkly comic monologue revealing the inner workings of a person who has escaped the challenges of modern life by living in a commercial waste wheelie bin. In contrast, we’ve also got our eyes on Amy Lever’s Lost Girl – a fresh new show exploring Jewish-Arab heritage, connection and family – that previews in Manchester before heading to Edinburgh Fringe.

Lost Girl by Amy Lever at the King's Arms, Salford
Lost Girl by Amy Lever. Image courtesy of Amy Lever/ Greater Manchester Fringe.

We’re thrilled that Manchester Fringe audiences are the first in line to see brand-new theatre by some of the UK’s sharpest creatives. Furthermore, many of the Fringe’s past productions have gone on to be performed in some of the North’s established theatres, such as the Royal Exchange, Octagon Theatre Bolton and The Lowry.

With a performance for everyone, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival offers a delightful chocolate box of theatre.

Greater Manchester Fringe 2024 at The Fitzgerald, Manchester HOME Manchester, Manchester The Kings Arms, Chapel Street and other venues... 1 — 31 July 2024 Entrance is free Visit now

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Fringe Theatre in Manchester and the North

Check out our top picks of shows previewing in the North West before heading to Edinburgh Fringe Festival later in the summer.

Where to go near Greater Manchester Fringe 2024

Renae Logo
Manchester
Restaurant
Renae

Opening in stages, renae begins its journey with the launch of its ground-floor neighbourhood music-led bar on Friday 28th March 2025. This laid-back yet stylish space will blend a cosy daytime shop with an intimate bar that flows from day into night, serving craft beers, natural wines, and cocktails at accessible prices.

Chakalaka
Manchester
Restaurant
Chakalaka

The very best of South African cuisine in an intimate, friendly space in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.

The Daisy
Manchester
Restaurant
The Daisy

The Daisy is one of Manchester’s more in-demand basement bars, offering an underground Paris-inspired night out.

Manchester
Restaurant
Sampa

Colourful Brazilian fine dining at Caroline Martin’s intimate restaurant, Sampa.

Hinterland bar and cafe
Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Hinterland

Alcohol-free bar and cafe in the heart of Northern Quarter. Serving mocktails, 0% beer and all your alcohol free favourites.

ibis Styles Leeds City Centre Arena
Leeds
Hotel
Ibis Styles Leeds City Centre Arena

ibis Leeds City Centre Arena is a hotel that’s Yorkshire through and through. Brewed with the very best of Leeds and Yorkshire, this hotel’s bustling and modern like the city.

Welcome to Yorkshire and Oulton Hall & Spa. Perfectly located to explore the whole of Yorkshire, situated only 2 miles from junction 30 off the M62 or Junction 44 off the M1. Standing within the beautiful Yorkshire countryside close to Leeds, Oulton Hall combines all the elegance of a mid 18th century mansion with the modern facilities you would expect for business and leisure, including, Champagne Bar, Drawing Room serving traditional afternoon tea, 2 restaurants, not to mention the 7 individually designed suites and the conference and banqueting facilities for up to 350 guests. An incredible, mid 18th century mansion with breathtaking gardens, that has been lovingly restored and extended to create a hotel with a traditional character and unique charm offering everything a guest needs to ease the stresses of everyday life. Golfers will relish the challenge of the championship Calverley course, or why not treat yourself to a relaxing health and beauty treatment in the Spa at the Oul
Leeds
Hotel
Oulton Hall and Spa

Welcome to Yorkshire and Oulton Hall & Spa. Perfectly located to explore the whole of Yorkshire, standing within the beautiful Yorkshire countryside close to Leeds.

Comprising 147 sophisticated rooms and suites, this Leeds accommodation offers the desirable combination of a city centre location and historical character. All rooms and suites include premium amenities such as free high-speed, wireless Internet, a mini bar, a flat-screen television, air conditioning, and tea and coffee-making facilities. Accessible, interconnecting and family rooms are available as well.Welcome to a brand new concept right on your doorstep. Fire Lake Grill House and Cocktail Bar boasts a Yorkshire style infused menu with a twist. The Grill House and Cocktail Bar serves guests in the heart of Leeds city centre at the Radisson Blu Hotel Leeds. Come absorb the comforting surroundings, coupled with the enchanting smells and woodiness of flavours coming from the kitchen. Enjoy your meal with expertly blended drinks from the cocktail waiters that will take you through the night. Experience an unparalleled dining experience at Fire Lake Grill House and Cocktail Bar. The
Leeds
Hotel
Radisson Blu Hotel Leeds

Comprising 147 sophisticated rooms and suites, this Leeds accommodation offers the desirable combination of a city centre location and historical character.

Hotel entrance
Leeds
Hotel
Hampton by Hilton Leeds City Centre

Conveniently situated in the centre of Leeds, Hampton By Hilton Leeds City Centre provides air-conditioned rooms, a gym, free WiFi and a shared lounge. This 3-star hotel offers a 24-hour front desk and a business centre.

Jurys Inn Leeds
Leeds
Hotel
Leonardo Hotel

At the Leonardo Hotel Leeds they aim to make your stay exceptional. It starts as soon as you step inside the hotel, from the welcoming bar atmosphere and comfortable Costa Coffee lounge, to the relaxed quality of their restaurant.

Originally built as the country retreat for the Vavasour family, Wood Hall still remains a place where today's pressures seem an age away. Set down a long private drive Wood Hall is perched high on the hill set amongst 100 acres, with fine views of the surrounding area.Set apart from the distractions of the office, Wood Hall is the ideal spot for business events, or simply some fresh thinking. The 2 AA Rosette Georgian Restaurant at Wood Hall Hotel creates a special atmosphere in which to enjoy a fine dining experience to mark a special occasion or just for the pleasure of it!Unwind in the spa, tone up in the gym, or step out and make the most of the beautiful Yorkshire surroundings. On sunny days you can dine al fresco with a specailly prepared picnic hamper in the Italian Gardens.
Leeds
Hotel
Wood Hall Hotel

Originally built as the country retreat for the Vavasour family, Wood Hall is set amongst 100 acres, with fine views of the surrounding area.

Gallery
Leeds
Gallery
BLANK_

BLANK_is a Leeds-based gallery, run by the School of Creative Arts at University Centre Leeds. It encompasses a physical exhibition space and a publication that showcases new contemporary visual art…

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What's on: Comedy

Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

from £5.00
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
XS Malarkey

Providing award-winning Comedy since 1997, XS Malarkey is a not-for-profit comedy club, hosted every week by Toby Hadoke.

from £3
Until
ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

free entry

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