The Royal Exchange set to celebrate a special birthday

Totally unique - The Royal Exchange Theatre.

MANCHESTER’S Royal Exchange Theatre is 50 next year - and plans to celebrate its landmark birthday with special guests and a programme of mouth watering productions.

Comedian Johnny Vegas is set to appear in Jim Cartwright’s play, Road, and director Matthew Dunster and actor David Threlfall will team up again for what’s being billed as an emotionally charged production of King Lear.

The theatrical gems being served as part of the Exchange’s celebratory season include a production of A Little Night Music by the always wonderful Stephen Sondheim.

The theatre is renowned for the close up and very personal nature of its productions, a sentiment echoed by artistic director Serena Catmell said:

“There is no theatre like the Royal Exchange anywhere in the world.”

It also means something special to me for it was at the RET that I saw my first ever play, The Nerd, back in 1987.

Five years later I wrote my first review of one of its productions and the rest, as they say, is history.

Anyone interested in finding out more should call 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.