Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Royal Exchange Theatre

    4.7 (55 reviews)
    Closed 9:30 am - 11:00 pm

    Royal Exchange Theatre Photos

    Recommended Reviews - Royal Exchange Theatre

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    wonderful funny show!
    Belinda A.

    Me and my good friend of ten years went to see this amazing show in this wonderful theatre to watch little shop of horrors. what a marvelous funny entertaining show this was! i would never have thought i would watch just a amazing show in this unusal theatre as am so used to watching shows in the palace theatre and opera house were your all sat facing the stage waiting for the red curtains to go up. inside this wonderful theatre you are sat in a circle and you would think that the person across from you would distract you from the show but actual you are so engrossed in what going on that you dont notice any one else in the room. The stage is only small but the way they produced the whole show was done so well on very little staging moving props and setting went un noticed and all very well timed. you can get hot drinks inside this place as they have coffee shops and bars although you might struggle to find seating. we both started of with lattes that were £2.10p each when they had a small interval we got soft drinks and a large muffin that came to just over £9 for the both of us overall a very enjoyable show in a nice theatre were just looking out now for our next show here!

    Katie H.

    I love this theatre. It is the best in Manchester and even go so far as to say, one of the best in the country. Have paid all sorts of types of visits over the years. Most visits have been to plays (where I have sat on all levels) and have never come away feeling disappointed. It always amazes me how it is so open and really lays the actors' talents bare. I feel like such a grown up when I watch a play here. Because of the way the theatre is laid out, the main hall with the bar/cafe is shut during performances. I've also been on several occasions to the Special FX free entertainment on a Friday night. There's comedy, singers, musicians, all sorts and it's free. It's also pretty unique, as far as I am aware, in theatres. On some occasions, I have bought last minute tickets for the plays, on others I have come with pre-booked tickets as a place to meet prior to the main event and last, but not least, I have also sometimes come purely for the entertainment - It's a great, and slightly different, way to start a weekend off. My third kind of visit is to the cafe. You can visit the cafe without a ticket to a show, which is nice. The cakes are nice as is the tea, which is reasonably priced. The architecture is amazing. I like that some of the old features, such as the price board back from the days of its' original use, are still there. But with an incredibly modern theatre in the middle. If you haven't been here then what are you waiting for - there is something for everyone of all walks of life, ages and budgets.

    Beautiful building
    Ellie B.

    This is the first theatre I've been to in about 8 years, due to a lack of culture in Spain / Gibraltar, so you can imagine my excitement when I got tickets to see one of my BBC 6 Music heroes, Stuart Maconie, talk about his top 50 'People's Songs'. If you think Manchester's old cotton exchange building is impressive from the outside, wait til you take a step inside: WOW. They've kept the original period features, including the old board showing the exchange rates, illuminated pillars and large windows in the high ceilings, it's a seriously stunning place to watch a show! And unlike any of the theatres I've been to in the past, the auditorium is housed in a modern, intmiate dome-like space within the main hall. It's very odd and not what I expected at all but then I have been living in an (almost) third world country for the best part of a decade, so perhaps this set up is the norm in UK theatres these days? Apart from my seat being a bit uncomfortable and having to wriggle every few minutes to find a better position, I really enjoyed the show. The audience seating is set in a circle, so everyone gets a good view of the stage. After the show I went straight home but next time, I will stick around for a bit longer and perhaps sample a vino or a bite to eat in their cafe/restaurant area, which looks lovely, although perhaps a bit pricey.

    The cast
    Ying L.

    I watched the matinee show of Around the World in 80 Days. I have never laughed so much in ages. What a delightful show. From start to finish the production was funny, great costumes, quirky moments, energetic, innovative and the cast was very engaging and talented as the eight cast members had numerous roles and costume changes. Passepartout was an audience pleaser who stole the show and Mr Fix was a great villain. Great show and the cast never stopped moving! The story itself was wonderful and entertaining and had the audience enthralled. The cast made use of all their surroundings. They used the first floor to point out where Fogg was on his journey by sticking a marker on the map and stayed in character when doing so. On the ground floor the cast enter though all the doors and have strategically placed props. Surrounding the theatre, you can see the props on display. A show for kids and adults of all ages, not to be missed. The venue itself is original, colourful and they were still making improvements. There is a craft shop and display cabinets surrounding the whole place. I also like the fact that they have recycling bins as well.

    Scuttlers stage post play
    Oonagh C.

    A really excellent space with great productions. With an octagonal stage there isn't a bad seat in the house. I've been to some really good plays here and they're not afraid to put on something a bit more challenging eg The Skriker that's currently on which I highly recommend. They'll also show crowd pleasers like a Noel Coward romp or Shakespeare. There's a second smaller stage but I've never seen anything there. There's 2 bars as well as tea, coffee and snacks available for the interval. The cafe runs during the day too. Plus a shop with expensive jewellery and knick knacks. Prices vary but check out the special offers for students and the under 26's. Also anyone can queue on the day for a front row banquette seat for £10. If it's not wildly popular (like Maxine Peake in Hamlet) you can also phone the box office for these. Box office opens at 10.

    Soya latte and empty seats... Tragic combinations!
    Baz H.

    I would like to rate this as 2 places, a coffee shop/bar and a theatre. During the day this is a hidden gem if you are looking to have a social coffee with a friend and just want a quiet chat, its a beautiful environment with plenty of space to relax. That aside, the Royal Exchange is a multiplex of culture, from the quirky couture gift shop to the upper art gallery. The multiple areas for entertainment and the Round restaurant. Basically, if you were so inclined, this place can be your all in cultural day out in the city. The main attraction is obviously the shows, which are chosen to perfection and the primary shows are performed in one of the most intimate and imaginative staging areas 'The round'. I have seen so many amazing actors grace this stage and bring a lack of walls to life. Don't wait for a play you think you will enjoy, just go to any or all of them, I have yet to see a poorly executed show here. For me personally, I am currently awaiting the next Noel Coward.

    the beautiful royal exchange theatre building
    Chris T.

    The Royal Exchange Theatre in the heart of Manchester City is really as good as it gets!! Its set in such a beautiful building even if you're not going in to see a show go and take full advantage of this place or have light lunch or a coffee there. We have seen many plays and musicals in this wonderful theatre including Sweeny Todd and most recently Blindsided with Julie Hesmondhalgh it tends to get more plays than musicals though but it does get big names in the shows. The Theatre is so intimate that i think that every seat in the place gets a great view as the stage in in the round. We will keep returning to see shows in this wonderful place. Really recommend even if you're not into theatre go and see a show as it will change you're aspect altogether.

    Sophie C.

    One of those places that you wish you visited at least a couple of times a month but never do. I saw a production of Twelfth Night here which had a beautiful moment in which the actress came down from the ceiling swimming. The lights were blue. We were underwater. The same production had moved Shakespeare's classic to fascist Italy and did it with aplomb. The real bonus at the Royal Exchange is found in the inventive ways that the theatre companies and players make use of the 'theatre in the round' set up. This works best when characters are running on and off the stage through various doors as in an English farce that I saw last Christmas. This set up can lend itself to many genres of theatre and there is a heightened sense of camaraderie within the audience. You can see people's reactions from across the stage. Some lucky few are a metre or so away from the action with no cricked necks from looking up to a stage. The interior is beautiful and there are plenty of drinks and ice cream pots to keep families happy. Another delight is their gigantic costume department from which you can hire luxury fancy dress or costumes for theatre or TV by appointment. The fittings can take up to an hour but they are sure to have what you're looking for. Plus they are apparently popular with re-enactment societies..

    Thomas B.

    This place is cool, enter the mighty building and your taken into a humongous hall. It's all very old and Victorian style then you look to the centre of the room and see this strange orb like structure with stair cases jutting out of it. Wander into the orb and you find yourself in the main stage, with a sort of coliseum feel as the seats rise up higher and higher around this tiny centre piece. Acts are varied and lots of famous folk bash out some great plays. I saw punk rock here; very entertaining the funny part is I don't really do theatre so it must have been good. Apparently the hall was where all the cotton trading of Manchester took place till 1968! Kind of cool really. The stage is set so that everyone can have a more intimate experience of the drama that unfolds and so many folk rate this place very very highly...... I can see why.

    Lucy H.

    My first trip to the Royal Exchange Theatre was brilliant. Must admit, I'm not quite a play junkie but I'm not totally adverse either. The Comedy of Errors would have cost me £26, except I got a freebie from a friend with connections. Yes. Upon entry the atmosphere hit me. I liked. However watching the production whilst there was still sun shining wasn't so great as I could see the little runners backstage with the lighting. However from 7.05pm until 9.30pm I was gripped. With no interval I was still pleased to be amongst the crowds, in the Exchange and enjoying Shakespeare himself. The theatre did good to host such a great play. I'm quite happy of my theatre experience and glad that The Royal Exchange hosted.

    See all

    9 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 4
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chris T.
    1158
    333
    2633

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sophie C.
    6
    360
    370

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Thomas B.
    8
    355
    355

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Li F.
    13
    509
    384

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andy H.
    169
    340
    2440

    10 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Rachel W.
    10
    351
    396

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Sam R.
    10
    674
    673

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    18 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Review Highlights - Royal Exchange Theatre

    y. The thing that's different about going to see a play at the Royal Exchange is watching theatre in the roun

    Mentioned in 18 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    The Lowry - Yachts, 1959 (watercolour) by LS Lowry

    The Lowry

    4.2(53 reviews)
    2.1 miSalford Quays
    ££

    This is the outlet at the Lowry. We hadn't been here in a few years certainly long before wu flu…read morestruck. I'd guess it's now half empty store wise. Key shops like M&S Clothing, Black & Decker, Tefal and many more all long gone. Harry Ramsden's fish & chips still there along with subway. A chicken shack of sorts, an independent Indian and a BK. The Indian has most food pre cooked and heated on order so no thanks. When there's a Harry's I'm afraid this sort of competition has no chance with me. They used to have a spud u like but it's gone as has an ice cream parlour. The Cadbury alleged chocolate shop is still there but prices are rip off with supermarkets offering identical products much cheaper. Costa coffee is still there and they are now advertising the fact that they are selling M&S food so at least that's quality food. I'm not sure I'd make another trip back here but they still do the artisan market days so that would bring me back.

    A wonderful modern theatre in Salford at the Lowry Centre. The Lyric Theatre is the biggest of the…read moretwo theatres inside of the huge Lowry Centre. It hosts many amazing plays, musicals and many other entertainment options. I have been to see two National Theatre productions here which include the amazing War Horse and recently the Curious incident of the dog in the nighttime. It also has a couple of restaurants and cafes and amazing views to go with it. I have sat in many places in the Lyric theatre and there really isn't one bad seat plus the seats are really comfortable! All the staff who work here are really friendly and they seem to love there job. So take a look at the Lowry website to see if theres a show coming your way soon. Even if you're not sure that you might like the theatre, give it a go you may love it! The Lowry also hosts many art exhibitions which currently has Behind the Mask, the biggest collection of BAFTA-winning actor portraiture ever assembled, which has come to The Lowry for its first time out of London which is worth the trip out of town alone! You can easily get to the Lowry from the city centre of Manchester on one of the Metrolink trams which head towards Media City UK!

    Photos
    The Lowry - Image courtesy of The Lowry website

    Image courtesy of The Lowry website

    The Lowry - Interior, Lowry Gallery by Ben Blackall

    Interior, Lowry Gallery by Ben Blackall

    The Lowry - The artist, LS Lowry, drinking a cup of tea

    See all

    The artist, LS Lowry, drinking a cup of tea

    HOME - Buffalo Chicken Pizza // zero buffalo taste but cheese was great

    HOME

    4.0(23 reviews)
    0.5 miOxford Road Corridor

    I really like the new Home. The cinema rooms are much better than they were at Corner house, and…read morethe food is just fantastic. Home offers a range of discounts, including advance bookings made online, as well as ticket price reduction for members.

    So HOME is pretty cool!…read more It kind of feels like the old cornerhouse in general vibe and outlook on life but in a big flashy new skin away from the rest of Manchester. In fact this does seem to be the new way of doing things by the council - let's build things on brown field sites and aim to create a new urban hub around it. With very little passing traffic, it's going to take a while to really become a mainstream destination but it is very easily reached with Deansgate and Oxford Road stations around 5 mins walk. On this occasion I was looking for somewhere to work for a few hours and sat upstairs in their cafe bar grabbing a couple of flat whites and a bacon bap . Not bad all round and pretty quiet on a Monday morning. It did get much busier at lunch time so it's good to see peeps really enjoying this offering! You can sit outside on deck chairs and tables and there's a cafe downstairs just selling drinks and cake.

    Photos
    HOME - Middle floor cafe bar

    Middle floor cafe bar

    HOME - First floor cafe and bar, love the floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful on a nice day, and most likely even better on a rainy day

    First floor cafe and bar, love the floor to ceiling windows. Beautiful on a nice day, and most likely even better on a rainy day

    HOME - Absolutely love the dimensional flow with the wooden planked staircases, very chic

    See all

    Absolutely love the dimensional flow with the wooden planked staircases, very chic

    Z-Arts

    Z-Arts

    4.3(6 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    £

    Hulme has always had a raw deal. Once a dumping ground for slum dwellers, the dreaded Bull Ring…read morewhich I recall all too well never gave these creative people a chance to demonstrate their unquestionable talent. Following property investment and expansion Hulme now not only looks better but is a more humane environment for any individual to exist in. However, the most important addition to Hulme in my eyes is The Zion Arts Centre. I can actually become quite emotional writing about this place because within its walls, creativity is developed and young minds are inspired. This is a multi- art form venue which allows Arts Council funded residencies the opportunity to hold classes in disciplines such as street dance, drama, comedy and Caribbean dance. Community legends like Crystallize and Visceral educate 11-19 year olds on all factors of the music business and workshops are run which motivate our youngsters. Gospel choirs grace the hallowed halls of The Zion with their heavenly voices and comedy nights and exhibitions are held here- entry fees for such events here are minimal. The Zion Arts Centre is developed by the community for the community and should be supported by us all.

    ZION IS A DOUBLE BUILDING, HOUSING ARTS, CRAFTS DANCE AND COMMUNITY PROJECTS FOR KIDS AND YOUNG…read morePEOPLE. It is also a community mental health centre which does absolutely amazing work in the community free of charge. There are a number of self help groups for issues such as depression and anxiety, counselling service, arts therapy, light box therapy, womens groups, mood food cafe serving whole foods at ridiculously low prices and all the above services are free. It is well worth a look if you have a mental health issue and need to meet like minded people or get some much needed support. It is also a fantastic place to meet people generally in the community groups if you are new to manni. To access the mental health services you must live in neighbouring areas hulme and moss side i think (but check first), but anyone can access the community groups. A great contribution to manchesters inner city community.

    Photos
    Z-Arts - Image sourced at www.zionarts.com

    Image sourced at www.zionarts.com

    Z-Arts - Image sourced at www.zionarts.com

    Image sourced at www.zionarts.com

    Z-Arts - Image sourced at www.zionarts.com

    See all

    Image sourced at www.zionarts.com

    Royal Exchange Theatre - theater - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...