There is a revolution happening in Manchester's theatres. Young creatives are producing extraordinary work that is political, provocative, and hugely inspirational. Contact Theatre have been a main contributor to this exciting surge in youth theatre, with their drive towards providing opportunities for emerging young artists. Their recent collaboration with Brazilian activists, ColetivA ocupação, proved that... Continue Reading →
What’s On in Manchester – June 2019
It's June! Summer has officially arrived, although somebody should tell that to the British weather! Festival season has kicked off, with Glastonbury, Download, and the Isle of Wight Festival all happening within the coming weeks. If camping in a muddy field isn't your idea of fun, you can always visit the theatre instead. At least... Continue Reading →
Pride in Trafford: Celebrating identity and LGBTQ+ life in Trafford
Inspired by the success of Nathaniel Hall's First Time, and the popularity of subsequent activities marking World Aids Day, Sale Waterside Arts made plans for a series of events that celebrate and explore LGBTQ+ life in Trafford. They worked in collaboration with Trafford Council, Creative Industries Trafford, Contact Theatre, and many others, to create a... Continue Reading →
When It Breaks It Burns – ColetivA Ocupação Bring Brazilian Political Activism to Moss Side
"Let's occupy the schools. Let's occupy the streets. Let's occupy the theatres. Let's occupy everything." ColetivA Ocupação is a collective group of students from various districts of São Paulo. Their lives were drastically altered by the high school occupations of 2015 and 2016 across Brazil. Combining dance, live music, political activism and performance, they bring... Continue Reading →
No Kids – Contact Theatre (Lowry)
Choosing to start a family and to have children is a monumental, life-changing decision. For LGBT couples, this is further complicated by having to choose how to have a baby, whether through adoption, fostering or surrogacy. There are a host of different choices available to aspiring parents, but which one is best? In No Kids, real-life... Continue Reading →
What’s On in Manchester – March 2019
Deal or no deal? Will there be a People's Vote or a delayed Brexit? March 2019 is a month that will decide Britain's future, but who knows what that it will bring? There are still so many uncertainties surrounding Brexit. But one thing is certain - Manchester has some cracking theatre in March that will... Continue Reading →
What’s on in Manchester – February 2019
Sick of hearing about Brexit? I know I am! If you need an escape from hard borders, Irish backstops and this cold weather, how about a trip to the theatre? Here are some of the shows you can watch in Manchester theatres throughout February. Obviously, this is not the only theatre available. Manchester is one of the most exciting places for... Continue Reading →
The Forest of Forgotten Discos – Contact Theatre (Hope Mill Theatre)
What happens to your teddy bears when you grow up and forget about them? According to playwright Jackie Hagan, they live in a forest with other forgotten things. This is no ordinary forest though. It is a forest where discos used to happen all the time, but are now as forgotten as the bears. The... Continue Reading →
Elmi Ali: Water Seeds Not Stones – Contact Theatre (Z-Arts)
If you take a walk down Manchester's Market Street, you will not fail to notice the street pedlars, pushing their mobile carts. Selling everything from fidget spinners to balloons and umbrellas, these mysterious street vendors are an integral part of Manchester's high street. In Water Seeds Not Stones, Elmi Ali, a writer, poet and spoken... Continue Reading →