A Night to Remember: Celebrating 10 Years of Hope Mill Theatre

As part of Hope Mill Theatre’s 10th anniversary celebrations, audiences were invited to one of three special concerts honouring the incredible achievements of this beloved venue. The evening paid tribute not only to the outstanding productions that have graced its stage, but also to the theatre’s far-reaching community outreach initiatives across Manchester.

The concert featured performances from co-founders Joseph Houston and William Whelton, alongside special guest Grace Mouat. Audiences were treated to a nostalgic journey through some of Hope Mill’s most memorable productions. Interwoven with behind-the-scenes stories, the night shone a spotlight on the theatre's early interpretations of classics such as Aspects of Love, Spring Awakening, YANK!, and Rags. One particularly humorous anecdote recalled the excitement of receiving their first national review—only to discover it was a one-star rating for The ToyBoy Diaries.

Special guest Grace Mouat reprised her role as Cinderella from Hope Mill’s 2022 production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic for one night only. She shared a heartfelt reflection on how joining that production lifted her during a difficult time in her life, describing the love she received from the Hope Mill community as something she will carry with her forever. Mouat later joined Joseph and William on stage in Act Two to reflect on a decade of triumphs, including the residency of musical theatre icon Stephen Schwartz, who spent four weeks at the theatre composing parts of The Prince of Egypt whilst working with the pair on Pippin.

The evening also showcased stunning performances from Hope Mill favourites. Laura Harrison, who starred as the lead in their inaugural production of Parade, wowed the crowd with her powerful vocals, including a touching number from Little Women. Maiya Quansah-Breed, star of one of the theatre’s most celebrated productions, RENT, brought the house down with a show-stopping rendition of ‘Out Tonight’ before switching gears with a number from Lizzie.

While Act One looked back, Act Two turned toward the future. It opened with a lively performance of ‘Puttin’ On the Ritz’ as a teaser for Hope Mill’s next big show: Young Frankenstein. In a Q&A segment with Grace Mouat, the staggering production costs were revealed—so grab your tickets while you can! The discussion provided valuable insight into upcoming projects and reflected on Hope Mill’s ongoing journey.

Highlights included the upcoming transfer of Acorn Antiques to Manchester Opera House, with a run at London’s Shaftesbury Theatre to follow. Looking further ahead, the summer 2026 production of High School Musical—headed to The Lowry—was teased. Joseph and William shared their excitement about the immersive elements being developed, following intense conversations with Disney Theatricals. It promises to be a show to remember.

The evening concluded with ‘Suddenly, Seymour’ from Little Shop of Horrors, set to appear at Hope Mill next autumn, followed by a rousing, emotional finale of ‘Seasons of Love.’

Throughout the evening, messages of love and congratulations poured in from stars such as Tracie Bennett, Russell T Davies, and Olivier winner/Tony nominee Tom Francis - who got his big break in Hope Mill’s production of RENT. The concert was a beautifully curated celebration of love, artistry, and community.

Hope Mill Theatre continues to offer a diverse, ambitious programme featuring stellar casts while maintaining its heartfelt connection to the local community. With a major announcement teased for Wednesday, it’s clear that Hope Mill isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Check out their current programme - and here’s to the next ten years of trailblazing theatre in Manchester.

Hope Mill Theatre will be celebrating their 10 year anniversary over the next two evenings (30th September and 01st October) with limited tickets still remaining.

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