What’s on at The Royal Exchange: Spring 2025

MCRJourno

Spring 2025 at the Royal Exchange Theatre kicks off with female-driven stories of contemporary classic plays directed by two powerhouse directors.

Sarah Frankcom returns with two revolutionary Caryl Churchill plays, ESCAPED ALONE and WHAT IF IF ONLY and Natalie Abrahami makes her debut at the venue with Mike Leigh’s iconic contemporary classic ABIGAIL’S PARTY.

Greater Manchester audiences will be able to access theatre on their doorstep as the

Exchange's pop-up theatre The Den will take up residency in Leigh and Tameside this year developing two unique festivals this spring and summer.

The Royal Exchange also continues its partnership with Manchester International Festival with a world premiere to be announced early next year.

ESCAPED ALONE and WHAT IF IF ONLY

By Caryl Churchill

Directed by Sarah Frankcom

7th February - 9th March

These two short plays are brought together in one evening of theatre at the Royal Exchange.

ESCAPED ALONE and WHAT IF IF ONLY are beautifully intricate meditations on life, and these

stunningly crafted, complex and funny plays star stage and screen actor Annette Badland, Maureen Beattie, Souad Faress, and Margot Leicester.

Completing the WHAT IF IF ONLY cast are Bea Glancy (Game of Thrones) as Child, Danielle Henry (Twelfth night by RSC) as Someone, and Lamin Touray (Waterloo Road) as Present.

The production also includes eighteen members of the Royal Exchange's Elders Company which Elders Producer Andy Barry take on the role of Associate Director.

ABIGAIL’S PARTY

By Mike Leigh

Directed by Natalie Abrahami

4th April - 17th May

Mike Leigh’s modern classic has garnered cult status across the decades.

Award-winning Director Natalie Abrahami makes her Royal Exchange debut with this ground-breaking tragicomedy classic drawing on the unique in-the-round stage to create an intimate party that audiences won’t want to miss.

At the height of 1970s suburbia, social class and ambition, Beverly Moss, the Hostess with the

Mostess, is inviting you to her exclusive cocktail party which descends into chaos and sexual tension.

LOCAL EXCHANGE - THE DEN FESTIVAL

The Den returns this year bringing the pop-up mobile theatre to Tameside and Leigh to offer bespoke community festivals in each area.

Building on established relationships and forging new connections The Royal Exchange will use the theatre to provide workshops, performances and affordable access to the arts.

Pay What You Can tickets will be available on every standard show as well as Under 30s tickets and Banquette Seats from £10.

Access performances are also available for productions within the theatre space, including Sensory Adapted (SA), Audio Described (AD), BSL-Interpreted (BSL) and Captioned (C) performances, with all tickets for Sensory Adapted performances from £15.