Handbagged at Lowry

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Handbagged at Lowry
Image courtesy of Manuel Harlan.

Handbagged at Lowry, Salford 18 — 22 March 2025 Tickets from £32.00 — Book now

Get ready for a fresh, funny and fierce revival of this fascinating fly-on-the-wall show. Moira Buffini’s playful and satirical exploration of the relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher comes to Lowry this spring.

Clever and charming, with brilliant theatricality, Handbagged imagines what happened in the private meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher over an eleven-year period, from 1979 to 1990.

Now, 25 years on, the legacies of both women loom large in this fresh interpretation of Buffini’s Olivier Award winner. This new version of the play, produced by Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and Theatre Nation Partnerships, and directed by Alex Thorpe, incorporates original music, a capella singing and remixed ‘80s pop classics.

Image courtesy of Manuel Harlan.

Entertainingly told and generously iced with political humour, the monarch and Her most powerful subject collide as they give their opposing views of Britain’s role in the world. Obviously, no one really knows what happened between the four walls of the weekly meetings between sovereign and minister, but Buffini constructs a completely credible conflict of values between radically different characters.

Comical, perceptive and beautifully performed, the play stars Emma Ernest as ‘Mags’ and Helen Reuben as ‘Liz’, with Morag Cross and Sarah Moyle, appearing as the older versions of the main characters, ‘T’ and ‘Q’. Further casting will see Cassius Konneh and Gerard McDermott multirole the 17 other characters in the play, including Ronald Reagan and Denis Thatcher.

Of the show, Director Alex Thorpe told us, “I am thrilled to welcome this multi-talented cast…as we prepare to embark on the most ambitious TNP tour to date. As we reexamine these fierce and famed women, joining this ensemble company is some of the UK’s most exciting creative talents, realising Moira Buffini’s satirically funny comedy. Performed on Katie Lias’ golden contemporary set and propelled by Kate Marlais’s reworking of 80’s pop classics and the award-winning Ryan Day’s lighting – this truly extraordinary team is not to be missed.”

We recommend getting your tickets quick for Handbagged – incredibly funny, acute and slightly wicked.

Handbagged at Lowry, Salford 18 — 22 March 2025 Tickets from £32.00 Book now

What's on at Lowry

Aakash Odedra: Songs Of The Bulbul at Lowry
DanceMediaCityUK
Aakash Odedra: Songs Of The Bulbul at Lowry

Happening as part of Lowry’s 25th anniversary, Aakash Odedra’s five-star show, accompanied by a live orchestra, arrives in Salford for one special performance this May.

from £16.50
Myra's Story at Lowry
TheatreSalford
Myra’s Story at Lowry

Direct from London’s West End, a critically acclaimed play shining a light on homelessness, addiction and resilience through one woman’s unforgettable story.  

from £28.50

Where to go near Handbagged at Lowry

Manchester
Gallery
Irwell Sculpture Trail

The 33-mile trail, which follows the River Irwell from Salford Quays all the way to Bacup in Pennine Lancashire, has been around for over a decade, but it’s recently been restored and expanded.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Lowry Outlet Mall

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Central Bay

Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

The Quays
Restaurant
The Alchemist Mediacity

The latest offering from the UK-conquering Alchemist has an energetic vibe similar to others in this highly-regarded chain of restaurants.

Salford
Uswim
at Salford Quays

Jump into waters of dock 9 at Salford Quays with Uswim, they bring the benefits and freedom of open water swimming to the convenience of a central location.

Manchester
Restaurant
11 Central

11 Central is a new bar and microbrewery launched by local brewing legends SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO at the Central Bay site in Salford.

Ice Rink
Manchester
MCUK Ice Rink
at Media City

Embrace that most Christmassy of activities and get your skates on outside of the chaotic city centre this winter. The Ice Rink at Media City will be serving festive fun till January 5th.

Manchester
Shop
Booths Media City

The Booths branch at Media City, Salford Quays is much appreciated by TV, radio and media executives who work in the area.

What's on: Theatre

Free Activity at Aviva Studios
Until
ComedyManchester
Free Activity at Aviva Studios

From comedy nights to drop-in family craft sessions, Factory International bring an accessible and inclusive programme of events this spring – the best thing, it’s all free.

free entry

Culture Guides

A woman sits in a car with hands holding the steering wheel.
Cinema in the North

Vintage Alfred Hitchcock and a family friendly film festival are amongst our highlights this May.

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in the North

Dynamic dance, party-performance, high-energy stand-up and a site-specific show set in a pub. All this and more in our newest theatre guide.

Sextile
Music in the North

Open air clubs, new festivals and long-awaited gigs. The North West's live music scene is heating up this spring. 

Laura Ellen Bacon, Into Being, 2025. Photo © India Hobson, courtesy Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Exhibitions in the North

Willow weaving, textile collages, digital arts and ecology - all this and more in our exhibition top picks this month

Image by Jonathan Schofield.
Tours and Activities in the North

We've got many a good time in store this month as we round up the best walking tours, cultural classes and makers markets in the land.

Okechukwu Nzelu
Literature Events in the North

If it's inspiring, inclusive events and avant-garde, experimental afternoons you're after, look no further than live literature this spring – we've got you covered.