Playhouse Theatre

The Playhouse Theatre is a Grade II listed theatre in Hulme, Manchester, featuring a traditional auditorium layout. The main hall contains two straight balconies with side sections that reach toward the stage from the upper level, creating a view of the performance space from different angles.

The building opened in 1902 as the Hulme Hippodrome and received its current name in 1905 after trading names with a nearby theatre. It later became a BBC broadcasting studio in 1956, serving the radio and television industry.

From 1991 to 1997, the space hosted the Nia Centre, welcoming artists and audiences from across Europe who came for African and Caribbean performances. The venue became known as a gathering place where visitors could see different art forms and hear music from these cultures.

The theatre sits at the corner of Chichester Road and Warwick Street, making it easy to reach by bus or tram in Manchester. The location is straightforward to find and the building sits in a residential neighborhood with good public transport connections.

The Beatles recorded their first radio broadcast here during the BBC years, making it part of music history. The space also hosted many comedians who became well known, who returned regularly to perform their shows.

Location: Manchester

Inception: 1902

Official opening: 1902

GPS coordinates: 53.46424,-2.24948

Latest update: December 12, 2025 12:03