Royal Exchange Theatre
Royal Exchange
Inside the former hall of what was once the world's largest cotton exchange hangs a glass-and-steel theatre pod called 'the Spaceship'. It is one of Manchester's signature theatres.
The Royal Exchange building, completed in 1874, was once the centre of the global cotton trade, and its grand trading hall, with its dome and trading boards, has been preserved. In 1976, a seven-sided steel-framed glass theatre was built in the centre of the hall. Audiences sit on three sides of the stage, making it the largest theatre-in-the-round in Britain, and it stages Shakespeare and contemporary plays. You can enter the hall free of charge to admire the architecture and relax in the café without seeing a show. It stands beside St Ann's Square, surrounded by shopping streets.
Opening hours
Lobby approx. 09:30 until the end of performances
Nearby sights
- St Ann's Square & St Ann's Church
- Manchester Cathedral
- Manchester Town Hall & Albert Square
- National Football Museum
- Chetham's Library
- Manchester Central Library
- John Rylands Library
- Manchester Art Gallery