What's On at 53two
TESTING TESTING
With Toby Hadoke
SUNDAY 25th JANUARY
Tickets £10 INCLUDING A £5 drinks voucher
PWYC Tickets Available
Free Carer Tix - email venue.
DOORS 7pm - SHOW 7:30pm
Presented by Toby Hadoke, top circuit comedians try out their new material in the arches of 53two. Who turns up, you never know but an evening of sheer quality is guaranteed.
ACTS TO BE ANNOUNCED!
Comedy at it's finest beneath the iconic brick arches of 53two.
Grab a pie and a pint before the show for just £10!
Testing, Testing is not quite like other gigs. We do things differently here. The acts have come for a safe, fun space to try their new stuff. They don’t need your “help” - so, thank goodness, you can leave your heckles at home. Also, the gig’s really good - so you don’t need your phone, and we ask you to respect your fellow audience members and the acts by taking any conversation you may wish to engage in outside. Toby’s an affable chap but he has zero tolerance for bad manners : comics like to do this show because he’s made it nice. Don’t be the one to make it not nice. Thank you!
XS MALARKEY
Every Tuesday*
(Check dates to confirm)
Doors: 7:00pm - Show: 8:00pm
Tickets £6
(£3 for members - become a member!)
XS Malarkey is a not-for-profit comedy club, hosted every week by Toby Hadoke, and eagerly maintained by a group of minions who do his bidding on a regular basis.
Despite our low door price, we put on shows with professional comedians and rising stars of the comedy circuit, also giving newcomers a chance to practise their material in front of a supportive and quite frankly fantastic audience, many of whom are just as obsessed with comedy as we are. We feed our audience’s comedy obsession by running a membership scheme charging a ludicrously cheap £3 per ticket. We don’t do group discounts, because to be honest – we’re cheap enough already!
DIVINA DE CAMPO - BACK ON THE ROAD
16th January
7:30pm
Drag Race UK star and powerhouse vocalist Divina De Campo joins Ric 'the Piano Guy' Neale for an evening of soaring songs, signature humour, and sparkling cabaret. With effortless vocals, playful chemistry, and a show never the same twice, it's unplanned, unpredictable, and utterly unforgettable.
The Execution of Private Slovik
21st - 24th January 2026
7:30pm / 2:30pm Saturday Matinee
£12
France, 1945. Private Eddie Slovik's life hangs in the balance. In the hours before his execution, a group of senior officers must weigh their orders against their own humanity. Trapped together, loyalties splinter, tempers flare, and every man is forced to confront what justice, duty, and mercy truly mean.
The Execution of Private Slovik is a tense and unflinching play about the human cost of obedience. Inspired by true events, it forces us to ask: when the line between right and wrong blurs, who carries the weight of justice, and who lives with the consequences?
“A powerful achievement… ★★★★” – The Reviews Hub.
Run time - 80 mins
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Origin Story
1st & 2nd February
7:30pm
£7.50 (£4 Conc) - Exc Booking Fee
Three friends, Kurt, Dan, and Emily.
One morning, Kurt brings a gun into the flat and declares he’s bulletproof. He says this is his origin story. Dan, his flatmate and emotional enabler, keeps to the regular routine: banter, dry wit, the usual script. Then Emily arrives with a coffee and realises something’s seriously wrong. Or was it always like this?
As the morning unfolds, secrets emerge. There’s a grief nobody’s processed, a missing person no one’ll mention, and a friendship that’s started to spotlight as a codependent double act. Kurt wants to be someone (something) more interesting than who he is. Dan doesn’t know how to stop playing along. Emily’s tired of being the only one not playing for laughs.
Origin Story is Cups On Strings Productions' first production. Three friends, a gun, and a stolen story: what happens when grief and guilt are turned into spectacle.
Content Warnings: The piece includes sensitive topics such as depression, mental health struggles, and suicide.
Runtime: 1hr 30 mins - Interval: 15 mins
STAYIN' ALIVE
presented by One Madam Productions & Girl Gang Manchester
Stayin' Alive- Written by Victoria Oxley
Directed by Megan Marie Griffith
5th & 6th Feb
7:30pm
£15 (PWYC Available)
Maggie’s Nan is dead, her therapist is useless, and her sister is threatening to knock her out. Maggie? She’s still in her Nan’s house. The walls are closing in - but somewhere between the Blue Anchor pub and an Elkie Brookes record and a broken Alexa, she might just learn how she ended up here… and how to find a reason to stay.
Told with biting wit and brutal honesty, Stayin‘ Alive is a whirlwind through grief, sisterhood, survival - and a few of dodgy tribute acts. Maggie takes us inside a mind unravelling and rebuilding - one ritual, one memory, and one song (she'll never sing) at a time.
Commissioned by The Unity Theatre's talent development programme and premiered at Liverpool's Royal Court, Victoria Oxley’s unforgettable writing debut is raw, honest, and impossible to ignore. Told with a nostalgic soundtrack foregrounding the North West, don't miss the chance to connect with fierce and fragile Maggie in this "powerful, darkly comic dive into grief and self-discovery."
Starring Victoria Oxley as Maggie and Emma Bispham as Our Anne-Marie, Me Mum & Rob the Therapist plus a whole host of guest appearances.
Sound Design by Serafin Dinges
Enjoy a rapid round of North West Trivia with Sean Hyland in our post show fundraising pub quiz on Thursday and "donate to sing" karaoke classics on Friday to help us secure a future for the show!
Show running time approximately 1 hour 15 mins
Myra DuBois LIVE
8th Feb
6:00pm
Sold Out!
The siren from South Yorkshire, Ms Myra DuBois performs live at 53two with support from "comedian" Frank Lavender.
Rotherham's own renaissance woman, venerated televised personality, energy worker, wellness facilitator, intellectual, and empath MYRA DUBOIS lands for one evening at Manchester's swinging 53two for an intimate evening of song and chat.
"Bust a gut funny" - Graham Norton
"Acid tongued, funny to the bone" - TimeOut London
"Myra DuBois is hilarious, if you don't believe me ASK HER" - Bianca Del Rio
DuBois is supported by last remaining straight man in show-biz, "comedian" FRANK LAVENDER.
"Not up to the job" - Chortle"
SLAMCHESTER
15th February
7:30pm
£6 Advance - £8 on the door
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE
SLAMCHESTER is a raucous evening where the City’s best poets will compete over two scored rounds for the title of Slamchester champion and a cash prize. Expect punchy performances, passionate voices, and an atmosphere like no other.
“This is slam poetry at its best.” Four stars, The Reviews Hub
Adding to the excitement, there will be a special performance from the reigning slam champion Loll The Poet, who will showcase the razor-sharp writing and captivating delivery that earned them the crown.
Plus, the night features the much-loved Lucky Dip open mic section, offering fresh new voices the chance to share their words on the SLAMCHESTER stage.
SITUATIONSHIPS
18th & 19th Feb 2026
8:30pm
£10
The Greater Manchester Fringe Award nominated comedy play that offers an eye watering look into the world of modern dating.
Situationships is a comedy play that follows two women with very different ideas about dating; one, a hopeless romantic, the other a serial dating man eater, as they meet up for cocktails to discuss the men in their lives, only for chaos to unfold, secrets to spilled and relationships ruined. Situationships offers an honest, cringe inducing, laugh out loud exploration into the ever changing world of modern dating. Due to popular demand, these performances will feature a brand new second act, with even more dating horror stories, numbered boyfriends and drunk tarot readings.
NON SA FAR I PAPPILLON
21st Feb 2026
3:00pm
£10
Join Daniel Brennan in Non Sa Fare I Papillon (or how I only ever really wanted to be in a musical) accompanied by the brilliant Tom Guest on piano. A fundraiser evening for 53two, join us for a night of gorgeous music, laughs and a celebration of what might just be Daniel's true passion?
One night only!
All proceeds going to 53two Charity (1179418)
Run Time: 70 mins.
International Women's Day 2026- A night of celebration and collaboration
4th March 2026
7:30pm
£10 (Exc booking fee)
Join us for a fun evening of women showcasing their work in a supportive and relaxed environment celebrating International Women's Day 2026.
After the success of last two years event, In Parallel Productions is bringing back a night of celebration and collaboration!
The Em Show: Tales From A Little Laughing Lesbian
5th March 2026
7:30pm
£14.00 / £12.00 Conc. (Exc Booking Fee)
PWYC Available
Tales from a Little Laughing Lesbian is an electrifying one woman show packed with stand-up, improv, and clowning, all delivered through Em’s signature energy and joy. From therapy to parenting, marriage to motorbikes—no topic is off-limits in this hilarious journey of self-discovery. Uplifting, bold, and wildly funny, this is a show for everyone (yes, even non-lesbians!). So, are you ready to laugh, reflect, and maybe even see yourself in a whole new way?
Em Stroud is The Comic Coach. She’s an entrepreneur, performer, clown, speaker, emcee, best-selling author and two times TEDx speaker - having done one dressed as a banana! Produced by Manchester based artist Charlie Ayers this evening promises to be a night of laughter and joy.
Run time - 60 mins
My Name Is Rachel Corrie
18th - 21st March 2026
7:30pm
2:30pm Sat 21st
£20.00 / £17.00 (Exc Booking Fee)
Take Back theatre and 53Two are excited and honoured to be co-producing the Manchester premiere of this rarely performed, multi award-winning play, based entirely on a young American peace activist’s diaries and emails. Taken from the writings of Rachel Corrie, edited by actor Alan Rickman and journalist Katharine Viner.
In 2003 Rachel Corrie, profoundly affected by events in Palestine, was compelled to travel to live and work with the people in Gaza.
Originally produced by the Royal Court in 2005, Ian Kershaw will direct Harriet Bibby in this new production of this deeply human, funny and moving piece described by the Guardian as “a stunning account of one woman’s passionate response”.
Ian Kershaw is an award winning writer, whose work for theatre includes The Greatest Play in the History of the World (Royal Exchange, Traverse, Trafalgar Studios and UK tour), We Should Definitely have more Dancing (Oldham Coliseum and Edinburgh Festival), Bread and Roses, Starcross’d, Mist in the Mirror, Union Street (Oldham Coliseum) as well as many pieces for Take Back. He is a Bruntwood award winner, with many TV credits, including Coronation Street, Shameless, Casualty, Cold Feet, Death in Paradise and Castles in the Sky. My Name is Rachel Corrie is his directorial debut.
Harriet Bibby is best known as Summer Spellman in Coronation Street, a role she has played since 2020. Originally from Market Rasen in Lincolnshire, she trained at ALRA North. Other credits include- Brassic and Doctors for TV and Blackbird at Royal Court Liverpool in 2022. This is her first time working with Take Back.
IAIN LEE - IMPOPSTER SYNDROME
19th April 2026
7:30pm
£15 (Exc Booking Fee)
TV's Iain Lee invites you to commemorate his 30 years in showbusiness. He used to have impostor syndrome, believing he didn't deserve his success. Now at 52, Iain is starting to question his long held belief and consider the possibility that maybe he was actually decent.
Join him as he watches clips from the 11 O'Clock Show and provides a commentary letting you know what was going on behind the scenes and what people like Gervais and Sacha Baron Cohen were like to work with.
You'll also find out what makes Iain really angry as well as songs, jokes and plenty of indoor language.
After that there will be an interview and Q&A hosted by David Turners (The Compute Game Show).
Holmes & Watson; The Curious Case of The Masked Magician
8th April 2026
2:30pm
£15.00 / £12.00 Conc.
Family - £45 (Exc Booking Fee)
When (mid-show) the Masked Magician disappears, completely, magically and seemingly forever, Sherlock Holmes (with Watson in tow) plunges into a secret world of Edwardian Magic to solve the mystery of the missing Magi. A brand new Holmes and Watson adventure for all the family filled with Mayhem, Mirth, Mystery and…Magic!
"TELL ME EVERYTHING, HOLMES"
1t’s 1906 - the Golden Age of Magic. The Masked Magician, bestrides London’s world of Magic like a colossus, UNTIL..one night, mid-performance, the Magician vanishes. Dead? Kidnapped? In hiding?
After a month Scotland Yard is completely baffled (obviously) and calls in Sherlock Holmes to help solve the mystery of the Masked Magician’s disappearance. Holmes, with an excitable Watson in tow, plunges into the secret world of Edwardian Magic only to find that the Masked Magician’s identity is Magic's best kept secret.
As they meet, and question, the Magician‘s peers (seeing a lot of Magic), the mystery of his identity and fate deepens. As they unravel clue after clue, Holmes comes to share Watson’s wonder and discovers that it can sit alongside his logical outlook.
Run Time: 70 mins
NorthWave Presents - Jain Edwards: She-Devil
30th April 2026
8:00pm
£20.00 (Exc. booking fee)
Join award-winning comedian and viral sensation Jain Edwards as she brings her sell-out, five star Fringe show to Manchester.
Jain Edwards is an award-winning comedian who isn't like other girls. She's worse. But she's finally ready to Lean In (and receive a little forehead kiss from hubby).
A cult comedy legend and online sensation, Jain is one of the most exciting voices in comedy.
The sell out show of Fringe 2025, She-Devil is a show about conspiracy theories, autism and men turning on you.
Expect silly, subversive comedy from literally the best comedian.
The Guardian Top Ten shows to see at the Fringe 2025
Winner of the Neurodiverse Review Actually Autistic Award 2025
Sell out show Edinburgh Fringe 2025
A Sudden, Disturbing To Do List
13th May
8:00pm
£12 (Not inc. Booking Fee)
Phoebe is 28, a journalist, has OCD and is the queen of lists. On her mirror, on the fridge, all over her hands and…everywhere basically.
Her favourite lists are: 1) shopping, 2) favourite stationary, 3) least favourite numbers, 4) past jobs ranked in order of wanting to staple her earlobes to the table, 5) the missed opportunities folder in her emails.
She’s pretty sure keeping them is her healthiest habit, propelling her on towards being the most productive, best version of herself. So, when her lists are spawning lists and lists and lists and becoming an overwhelming listathon, and a pink fluffy monster appears under her duvet and starts spooning her while she sleeps: she’s sure there isn’t a problem.
Phoebe wonders if she needs her space: but the monster is a really good cook, plus they do all her washing for her. So why is she suddenly listing all the ways she might die?
Phoebe takes 'monster to do list' to a whole new level.
Funeral Teeth
16th May
7:30pm
£12 (£10 Concession) Not inc. Booking Fee
PWYC Tix Available
Maybe you’ve lost your marbles… Or maybe you’ve found the most transformative piece of theatre that you’ll see this year. Probably both. Nominated for a London Pub Theatres award in 2025 and debuted to rave reviews, the Succulent girlies are making waves on the scene with 'Funeral Teeth'.
What and who are we allowed to grieve? And does that really matter?
Loss is the only truly universal experience. Whether it’s coming to terms with the passing of a loved one, tucking the first tooth you’ve lost under your pillow, or realising that you have no idea where your wallet is after spending a blurry night boozing at the pub - we’ve all been there. What’s more, we’re going to keep coming face to face with loss. Lose yourself (geddit?) in the latest piece by Succulent Theatre, unpacking what loss looks like to them, what it looks like to you, and what it could look like for all of us.
Following the success of their debut show ‘NASTY: ‘Big’ girls being gross, mean and sexy’, the Succulent team bring another queer, autobiographical, confessional piece of theatre that’s gut-busting and gut-wrenching in equal measure.
Death, grief and loss can be scary to talk about, but if we don’t - we just feel alone. And grief already makes you feel alone. It’s not all doom and gloom, though. This feel-good tragicomedy will remind you that life is a celebration and every loss you experience is an opportunity for you to grow. Drugs, sex, love, family and friendship are at the centre of this contemplative work which really puts the ‘fun’ in funeral.
The stories shared are painfully true, often painfully funny, and will hold a mirror up to your own experiences in a way that you might not expect. In their signature style, Succulent dexterously guides you through their losses from cradle to grave. Come watch them pick at a brand new scab and see what comes oozing out.
Run time - 70 mins
Grindr The Opera!
AUGUST 2026
Check booking site for full times and dates
£15.00 Early Bird
£35.00 General Admission
£130.00 VIP Table
Grindr: The Opera! puts the most notorious gay hook-up app into the exaggerated world of opera.
With musical styles ranging from baroque to contemporary pop, Grindr: The Opera! is a daring, humorous look at the changing landscape of gay relationships, and the greatest catalyst for the shift: Grindr. We meet GRINDR, a mythical siren from remote antiquity who has been awoken from its millennial slumber by technology. Its power, which is derived from human lust, is exhibited as it manipulates its gay devotees in a soaring soprano.