The People You’re Not     29 January to 27 February     Cornerhouse

This exhibition is a satirical trip through the private and public faces of fame, from the first heady days of idolisation and adoring fans, to dysfunction and the darker side of celebrity.

Grayson Perry: Visual Dialogues February 2011 to February 2012 Manchester Art Gallery

Two new purchases, Jane Austen in E17 and Print for a Politician by Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry, can be seen at the gallery for the first time in this thought-provoking new display.

re:play Festival     18 to 29 January     Contact Theatre

The full programme is confirmed for the Library Theatre Company and Contact’s new collaboration to present Manchester’s fourth re:play Festival - the event that brings together the most exciting new theatre from the past 12 months on Manchester’s fringe for an exclusive second chance to see. Go to www.librarytheatre.com or www.contact-theatre.org for tickets and information.

Mogadishu            26 January to 19 February     Royal Exchange Theatre

This is the world premiere of Bruntwood-winner Vivienne Franzmann’s urgent and gripping new play about a secondary school teacher and pupils caught up in a vortex of lies.

Private Lives          29 January to 19 February     Oldham Coliseum

Noël Coward’s fabulous comedy of manners tells of a couple who discover they are honeymooning in the same hotel as their previous spouses.

Spamalot              7 to 12 February     Palace Theatre

Starring Phil Jupitus as King Arthur and Todd Carty as Pasty, this very silly and very funny musical by Eric idle and John DuPrez is of course the musical version of the Monty Python & The Holy Grail film and was the winner of a Tony Award in 2005.

Hamlet                          8 to 12 February     The Lowry

Olivier award-winner Rory Kinnear plays Hamlet in this new production by The National Theatre, which arrives at The Lowry direct from its London run.

Winterlong               17 to 19 February     Royal Exchange Studio

World premiere of Bruntwood award-winner Andrew Sheridan’s heartbreaking and shattering play – can a bird with a broken wing ever learn to fly?

Calendar Girls          21 to 26 February     Palace Theatre

A whole host of popular actresses and well known celebrities regularly star in this well-loved play – this time the cast includes Jennifer Ellison, Gwen Taylor and Lynda Bellingham. As always it is a heartwarming play based on an inspiring and uplifting true story.

A Doll’s House         24 February to 12 March Library Theatre at The Lowry

Leading TV actor Emma Cunliffe, who has starred in The Lakes, Clocking Off and many other well-known TV shows, will take the lead role of Nora in The Library Theatre’s production of Ibsen’s play directed here by Chris Honer and adapted by Bryony Lavery.

Dan Clark                                             23 January                                          The Lowry Studio

Russell Howard                                    4 February                                          MEN Arena

Michael Clark Company          28 January     The Lowry Lyric

This production entitled ‘come, been, gone’ is set almost entirely to the music of David Bowie with influences from Lou Reed and Brian Eno.  

Flawless                                          4 & 5 February     The Lowry Lyric

Britain’s Got Talent contestants with a brilliant display of breathtaking street dance and stunning choreography.

Strictly Come Dancing Live     8 & 9 February     MEN Arena

If you loved the TV show, then you’ll love this too – the live show features nearly all the dancing celebs from the recent show and some from previous shows. Show-winner Kara Tointon and Pamela Stephenson will be on the tour and Ann Widdecombe will definitely be there performing with new partner Craig Revel-Horwood!

Danish Dance Theatre               8 & 9 February     The Lowry Quays

Established in 1981, Danish Dance Theatre is Denmark’s biggest dance company and is one of the foremost contemporary dance companies in Scandinavia. To mark its 30th anniversary it presents three pieces: Enigma, CaDance and Kridt. 

Lord of the Dance                         13 to 19 February     Opera House

Michael Flatley’s popular dance show returns to Manchester.

Roxy Music                                                       30 January             MEN Arena

Dominic Halpern and The Honey Bees             4 February            Cinnamon Club

Teddy Thompson and David Ford                     6 February            The Lowry

Dylan Howe Quartet                                         11 February           Cinnamon Club

My Chemical Romance                                    18 February            MEN Arena

Sarah Gillespie                                                 18 February           Cinnamon Club

Usher                                                                20 February           MEN Arena        

Ne-Yo                                                                25 February           MEN Arena

Jeremy Sassoon and Friends                           25 February           Cinnamon Club