Manchester comedian Jason Manford is starring in Something Rotten, the latest ‘Manchester gets it first show’ to come to the city, in a five-week run from June 16 to July 19.
Speaking during rehearsals in Manchester, he said: ‘I saw the show a decade ago, on Broadway. I thought it was the best thing I had ever seen. I thought – I need this show to come to the UK. It nearly happened, but then lockdown thwarted that. I stayed on it, though and when they did finally decide to bring it here we did it as a concert version at Drury Lane, for just three nights, which went so well. Obviously as a comic I’m used to laughter, but this was unbelievable.
‘It’s bonkers, but brilliant. In short, it’s set in 1590 and I play a playwright, Nick Bottom, who just keeps getting beaten by the rockstar of the day, William Shakespeare. My frustrations lead me to visit a fortune teller, Nostradamus – not the famous one, his nephew, Thomas – but he does have the gift of foresight and he tells me that musicals will be the next big thing, the future of theatre. So with my brother, Nigel, we decide to write a musical and comedy - and disaster - ensues.
‘As a comic, who has done a number of musicals over the years, the reason I have held on to this one – been desperate to do it - is because it’s so rare to find a show that’s genuinely funny. There are great characters, it’s full of heart – to be in it now just feels like a privilege.’
While the show has been on Broadway and seen in concert form in the West End in 2025, this is the first time the full show has been performed in the UK, and comes to the Opera House as part of the Manchester Gets It First programme, an initiative by Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) that positions Manchester as the launchpad city for major new theatre productions, giving local audiences first access before tours or West End runs.
‘When we were discussing where to open, it seemed crazy not to start here,’ Jason says. ‘ Manchester audiences are genuinely the best. It’s like a party night, even on a Tuesday. I think in London it can feel like there’s too much choice – the audience can give the impression that we should feel lucky they have chosen our show. Not so in Manchester; the audience genuinely feels excited – and it feels like a privilege for those of use who live in Manchester to feel like we’re getting these shows from Broadway before they go to London.
‘The other thing you find with a Manchester crowd is they're honest. I said this to the writers. They won’t laugh to be polite. One of the writers told me a joke they were putting in and I said “they won’t laugh at that. London might, but Manchester won’t - they’re just a bit more discerning, they know what funny is.
‘And this show is funny, like really funny.
‘By the time it gets to London next year, hopefully the Manchester audiences will have helped us hone this show to within an inch of its life.’
It can seem like Jason Manford is the busiest man in showbusiness, what with his theatre work, Manford’s Comedy Club, a touring live comedy brand that brings curated stand‑up nights with multiple comics to theatres and venues around the UK and his now annual stint in pantomime at Manchester Opera House, so is he ready to relax a little?
‘I’m writing something at the moment,’ he reveals. ‘with Gary Barlow and another friend of ours, Joe Stilgoe. The Captain Hook origin story. Hopefully that will open next year.’
Something Rotten plays at Opera House Manchester from June 16 – July 19.
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