How Soon Is Now?

An award-winning new indie musical by Box of Tricks, set on New Year’s Eve 1997 in a Manchester nightclub and driven by a live soundtrack of 90s classics.

Award-winning theatre company Box of Tricks presents How Soon is Now?, a brand-new indie musical by acclaimed playwright Siân Owen.

It’s New Year’s Eve, 1997. Manchester. The DJ’s in full flow, and as favourite indie songs blast out into the smoke-filled air of the club, the whole place feels electric.

Set to a live soundtrack of 90’s classics, including The Stone Roses, Radiohead and The Smiths, How Soon is Now? is an indie musical about mates, music and magic – finding a place and finding oneself.

“You open the door into this club. And the noise and the smell and the heat hit you. It smothers you. Jumps all over you. Gets right in.”

Three girls are on the dancefloor. Polly and Angie are ready for a big night. Jean is lost and alone. The future awaits. New Labour, New Year, new horizons. After decades of grey, this is their time. But as midnight beckons, and darkness falls, will they find their light?

There’s a club. Would you like to go?

Dates: 22 Oct 2026 – 24 Oct 2026