Karate Kid musical kicks off UK tour with Manchester dates ahead of West End run

The 80s cult classic reimagined for the stage will bring martial arts, music and mentorship to Palace Theatre in May 2026

The Musical will make its long-awaited UK premiere in spring 2026, with Manchester's Palace Theatre among the first venues to host the brand new stage production.

Running from Tuesday 12 May to Saturday 23 May 2026, the show will offer fans the chance to relive the iconic 1984 film in a bold, emotional new format before it heads to London’s West End and Broadway.

Written by the film’s original screenwriter Robert Mark Kamen, with music and lyrics by Drew Gasparini, the musical made its world debut in St Louis, Missouri in 2022 to critical acclaim and sold-out shows. Now, the reimagined coming-of-age story will tour key UK cities including Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Birmingham and Cardiff.

Bringing Daniel LaRusso and Mr Miyagi’s legendary journey to the stage, the musical promises to stay true to the original’s core message, that karate is not about fighting, but about dignity, balance and respect. A Tony Award-winning creative team is behind the production, directed by Amon Miyamoto and choreographed by Keone and Mari Madrid.

Kamen, who also co-produced the adaptation, reflected on the franchise’s longevity, saying: “Who knew that 43 years after I wrote the original script for The Karate Kid, we would see these very same characters acting and singing on the British stage in a story that is as fresh and universally relevant as it was four decades ago?”

The original Karate Kid film, which starred Ralph Macchio and Pat Morita, became a global phenomenon and sparked a multi-generational franchise. It has since spawned several sequels, a 2010 reboot with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan, and the hit Netflix spin-off series Cobra Kai, which ran from 2018 to 2025. In 2025, the sixth movie in the saga, Karate Kid: Legends, featuring Macchio and Chan, was released to further fanfare.

The new musical version aims to capture the essence of the story for theatre audiences, combining nostalgic moments with fresh choreography, an original score, and cinematic visuals transformed for the stage.

Producers Naoya Kinoshita, Kumiko Yoshii, John Gore and Kenny Wax confirmed that more UK tour dates will be announced soon. Casting details are also expected in the coming months.

Tickets for the Manchester Palace Theatre performances are available now through ATG Tickets. https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-karate-kid-the-musical/palace-theatre-manchester/