American Idiot, Palace Theatre, now until Saturday April 9

Credit: Darren Bell
Credit: Darren Bell

As the winner of two Tony Awards and the 2010 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Show Album, American Idiot tells the story of three boyhood friends each searching for meaning in a post-9/11 world.

Featuring the music of Green Day with lyrics from lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong, Armstrong also created the book alongside Michael Mayer.

The show stars Amelia Lily and Matt Thorpe and includes hit songs such as 'Boulevard of Broken Dreams', 'Wake Me Up When September Ends' and the titular track, 'American Idiot'.

Heartbeat, Opera House Manchester, April 25-30

Despite no longer being on the screen, long-running television drama series Heartbeat still has an incredibly loyal following and is set to be brought to life on stage at the Opera House later this month.

Based on the Constable series of Nicholas Rhea novels, the show ran for 18 years in a regular Sunday night slot, regularly exceeding 10 million viewers and being one of the top five television programmes across all of the channels.

TV regulars David Lonsdale and Steven Blakely will come to the stage with the new production, joining a cast comprising of Matt Milburn, Gina Ward and Bernie Scripps.

With a brand new script and original storyline, the show promises to offer an exciting opportunity to go back to the 60s, with the music that featured prominently in the TV series.

Origins, The Lowry, April 28-29

As The Lowry's first Developed With production of the year, Origins comes from Manchester company Animikii Theatre and will premiere in The Studio at The Lowry at the end of the month.

Based on the story of Cain and Abel, the show follows the world's first murderer as he confronts and reflects on some of life's most primeval questions: faith, death and immortality.

Murdering his brother in cold blood, we meet Cain living away from his homeland after being exiled. Afflicted by his memories and haunted by those he once knew, Cain must retrace his steps back to Eden to find answers.


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
find me on and follow me on


Tagged in