W H AT ’ S O N | A u t u m n 2 0 1 3
theatre | dance | spoken word | comedy
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contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0600 |
@contactmcr |
/contactmcr
A word from our Artistic Director S
Photo © Jonathan Bean Photography
As Contact’s new Artistic Director, I’m really excited to welcome you to our Autumn 2013 programme. Based on Manchester’s vibrant Oxford Road corridor, Contact is a dynamic professional theatre that combines performance spaces, digital facilities, exhibition spaces and a great café bar. Our programme is at the meeting point of theatre, dance, music, spoken word, comedy, live art and digital, redefining performance for the 21st Century. Our activity takes place in our building, in virtual spaces, and in surprising places across the city and beyond. Contact is internationally renowned for placing young people at the heart of everything we do – from programming to marketing to technical delivery. It’s a place where young people’s ideas are valued and their creativity is fired, nurturing the next generation of leaders and creative professionals in our communities.
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We are extremely pleased that Matt Fenton will be joining the team as our new Artistic Director/ Chief Executive from September 2013. Some personal highlights of the Autumn include 20 Stories High’s new show Melody Loses Her Mojo, Caroline Horton’s funny, heart-breaking Mess, Kieran Hurley’s acclaimed Beats, Collective Artistes’ poignant ZHE, the latest shows in Forced Entertainment’s remarkable 30-year body of work, and the ever-inspiring Hip Hop maestro Jonzi D. If you’re new to Contact, or haven’t visited us for a while, these are just some of the many great places to start. We can’t keep up the good work without you. As an arts charity, we depend on our audiences, funders and many supporters. If you want to find out more about how you can support Contact’s unique work with young people, please get in touch. Matt Fenton Artistic Director
Support us
Season on sale from 12pm on Monday 8 July.
Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
Contact is where young people change their lives!
Support us by donating online: justgiving.com/contact-theatre/donate
We work with 8000 young people every year providing creative workshops, events and training opportunities.
Or send a text:
‘I was first involved with Contact in 2009 with Monday Drop, and two years later I auditioned for Contact Young Actors Company. I got to work with professional directors, my confidence grew, and I picked up skills I don’t think I could have learned anywhere else. I am now part of Contact’s Creative Experts working as a workshop leader and facilitator.’ Ruby Sevinck — Johnson, Creative Expert
Every donation helps. Thank you for your support. For more info on how you can help please contact lucygreen@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0657. Contact is a registered charity, 501953.
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August / September Thu 1 and Fri 2 Aug, 2:30pm, 5:30pm, 7:30pm; Sat 3 Aug, 2:30pm. FREE. Over 13s. Contact, Dende Collective and The University of Manchester present
CYAC: LA BIBLIOTECA Directed by André Pink Starring Contact Young Actors Company
Too few control the many, the many mock the few... Experience The John Rylands Library as you have never seen it before in a promenade performance that explores love and hierarchies, past and present. Using the traditional 16th century Italian comedy form of Commedia Dell’Arte, the library is brought to life. | dendecollective.org | #CYACLaBiblioteca This performance will take place at The John Rylands Library, Deansgate, Manchester.
Fri 20 Sep, 8pm (7:30pm doors), £9/5. Over 18s. Cake Tin Foundation and Rude Grrl presents
MOTHER’S RUIN Pulsing with life, Mother’s gloriously raucous cabaret is back with a potent cocktail of unique and unpredictable performance. With Timberlina, David Mills, Rolabear, Patrick Carroll-Fogg, Gareth Cutter and more.
‘Shambolic, insane... stylish and great fun.’ ★★★★ The Public Reviews | mothersruin.co.uk | @mothers_ruin | #mothers_ruin
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Illustration: Lamb & Sea
October
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
BSL
interpreted Fri 4 Oct 7pm
Tue 1 Oct, 7pm. Wed 2 Oct, 5pm*. Thu 3 Oct, 1pm* and 7pm. Fri 4 Oct, 7pm*. Sat 5 Oct, 7pm, £11/6. Over 13s. *Post-show talk.
20 STORIES HIGH: MELODY LOSES HER MOJO Written and directed by Keith Saha
‘I gotta keep hold of my Mojo He keeps me bouncing up and down like a Yoyo When I’m on a low low He makes me ho ho Gets me Flying out of black holes — Like Chewbacca and Han Solo’ Following the amazing success of WHOLE, 20 Stories High return to Manchester with a new show.
This unique piece of Hip Hop Theatre, fusing spoken word, music, dance, puppetry and street art, brings together a remarkable artistic team including Sue Buckmaster (Theatre-Rites), Kwesi Johnson (Kompany Malakhi), club artist Mark Wigan (I.D magazine/The Brain Club) and Hobbit (International Beatboxing Champion) with Keith Saha writer/director of the award-winning Ghost Boy. A 20 Stories High, Liverpool Everyman/Playhouse and Leicester Curve production.
‘It’s rare to discover a piece of innovative theatre, performed by a relatively young company, which restores your faith in theatre pertinent to contemporary times.’ The Stage (Ghost Boy)
| 20storieshigh.org.uk | @20storieshigh | #melodyloseshermojo
Melody is in the care system. Blessing has come from Nigeria but longs to be back home. Rizla’s new friends might not be the family he is looking for...
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October
Fri 11* and Sat 12 Oct, 8pm, £11/6. Over 14s. *Post-show talk. Contact and Word of Warning present
RASHDASH THEATRE: THE UGLY SISTERS Once upon a time there was us — Ruby and us. Ruby was our mum. She had to work a lot. We played in the burnt out car round the back. We could do anything — except play with the needles. Then everything changed, and there were bright lights and loud noises and flashing cameras. And there was her, and she was different. Everyone loved her... Whoever holds the pen writes the story.
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Thumping drums, clanging keys and violent voices. RashDash tell the real story of Cinderella — a sinister and sensuous cabaret with an anarchic blend of live music and high-energy performance not to be missed. Fringe First winners 2010 and 2011.
‘Electrifying.’ ★★★★ The Telegraph ‘A riotous evening of performance.’ ★★★★ A Younger Theatre
‘Sensational.’ Total Theatre | rashdash.co.uk | #theuglysisters
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
Wed 16* and Thu 17 Oct, 7:30pm, £11/6. Over 13s. *Post-show talk. Caroline Horton and China Plate present
CAROLINE HORTON AND COMPANY: MESS Josephine is putting on a play, Boris and Sistahl help. It’s about anorexia. But don’t let that put you off. A new play with songs from 2013 Olivier Award nominated Caroline Horton (You’re Not Like The Other Girls Chrissy).
‘...an exuberant, engaging and above all, honest portrayal of anorexia & recovery.’ The Times
‘Comes perilously close to genius.’ ★★★★
Time Out
Triggered@Warwick. Funded by a Wellcome Trust Arts Award. Commissioned by Battersea Arts Centre and Parabola Arts Centre. Supported by Ovalhouse, London. Touring in association with Beat (the UK’s leading charity supporting people affected by eating disorders). Developed with the help of experts from King’s College London’s Institute of Psychiatry.
| carolinehorton.net | #messtheatre
2012 Stage Award Winner for Best Ensemble.
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October Tue 15 Oct, 7pm, £6/3. Over 14s. Manchester Literature Festival, Young Enigma and Contact present
YOUNG ENIGMA: POLARI PALACE Polari Palace is an innovative showcase of new writing from Manchester’s emerging collective of queer writers and performers. Young Enigma and friends will present short monologues, poems and sermons that expand upon and take full advantage of the rich creative potential of the ‘gay language’, Polari. | Part of Manchester Literature Festival | manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk | youngenigma.com | #polaripalace
Fri 18 Oct, 7:30pm, £9/5. Over 13s. Young Identity at Commonword presents
YOUNG IDENTITY: MIRRORS A poetic exploration of the stories that mirrors tell, based on real people’s perceptions of themselves. Mirrors reflects on race, gender, politics and sex, through innovative language, movement and performance. Funded by the Big Lottery Reaching Communities and Arts Council England, in association with Amazing Heights.
| youngidentity.org | #youngidmirrors
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
Photo © Benji Reid
Sat 19 Oct, 10:30am to 5pm (Daytime Conference) £15/8. Sat 19 Oct, 7pm (Evening Festival) £10/7. Double-ticket offer £24/14. Over 13s. Commonword/Cultureword in association with Manchester Literature Festival and Contact
THE 7TH BLACK & ASIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL Networking heaven and a thought-provoking experience for UK Black and Asian writers and budding writers — and those interested in their writing. The 7th Black & Asian Writers Conference & Festival will be the biggest yet. Major writers including Children’s Laureate Malorie Blackman, Malika Booker, Fred D’Aguiar, Sujata Bhatt, Bali Rai, Samuel Shimon, Dorothea Smartt, and Thomas Glave will be participating as well as Penguin publishers. Also featuring young writers’ sessions, three book launches, information stalls, plus a Festival in the evening featuring Slam Champion Stephanie Dogfoot, J P Cooper, the Speakeasy band, Young Identity, and many more... | Part of Manchester Literature Festival | manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk | cultureword.org.uk | #BAWCF7
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October Photo © Antonio Olmos
Wed 23* and Thu 24 Oct, 8pm, £11/6. Over 16s. *Post-show talk. Sadler’s Wells presents
JONZI D: LYRIKAL FEARTA Hip Hop Theatre legend Jonzi D presents an evening of choreopoetry including his acclaimed solo The Letter, which examines his response to being offered an MBE. The evening also features a brand new work exploring the broken lineage between the old skool and new skool Hip Hop generations. Work from local artist collective Freestyle Fictionary completes the bill. | sadlerswells.com | #lyrikalfearta
‘The name Jonzi D shouts respect in circles of Hip Hop dance theatre.’
The Independent
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Fri 25 Oct, 2:30pm* and 7:30pm*; Sat 26 Oct, 7:30pm*, £9/5. Over 16s. *Post-show talk.
Photo © Robert Day
COLLECTIVE ARTISTES: ZHE: [NOUN] UNDEFINED Created by Chuck Mike, Antonia Kemi Coker and Tonderai Munyevu (UK Arts International’s Two Gentlemen of Verona)
There are some journeys that make us who we were always meant to be... From childhood to adulthood and across continents, this poignant and honest piece of theatre follows the lives of two British Africans living at the crossroads of culture, nationality, gender and sexuality. Humorous yet haunting, this story is told by the characters whose lives are healed and celebrated through the experience. | collectiveartistes.co.uk | #zhe
Sat 26 Oct, 8pm, £11/6. Over 16s.
Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
Contact and BPM present
THE BLACK SOUND SERIES A musical and visual feast celebrating music of Black origin, as part of Black History Month. | #BSS13 Programmed by Bass Music Collective BPM (Darka, T Dot, Madam X and Phaze One). Supported by PRS Foundation for Music.
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October / November Photo © Hugo Glendinning
Wed 30, Thu 31 Oct*, Fri 1 Nov, 8pm, £14/8. Over 16s. *Post-show talk.
‘A brilliant and compelling theatre performance.’ La Liberte
FORCED ENTERTAINMENT: TOMORROW’S PARTIES
‘One of Britain’s greatest theatre companies.’ The Guardian
International innovators Forced Entertainment’s latest performance imagines a multitude of hypothetical futures. Two performers wreathed in coloured lights speculate about what tomorrow might bring. Exploring utopian and dystopian visions, science fiction scenarios, political nightmares and absurd fantasies, the audience is carried along on a tide of conjectures and dreams.
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| forcedentertainment.com | @ForcedEnts | #tomorrowsparties Tomorrow’s Parties is a production of Belluard Bollwerk International, made possible thanks to a contribution of the Canton of Fribourg to culture. In co-production with BIT Teatergarasjen (Bergen), Internationales Sommerfestival (Hamburg), Kaaitheater (Brussels), Kunstlerhaus Mousonturm (Frankfurt), Theaterhaus Gessnerallee (Zurich) and Sheffield City Council. With the support of Stanley Thomas Johnson Foundation. Forced Entertainment is regularly funded by Arts Council England.
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
Photo © Phile Deprez
Sat 2 Nov, 2pm, FREE (advance booking recommended). Over 16s.
FORCED ENTERTAINMENT AND CONTACT: THAT NIGHT FOLLOWS DAY — A REHEARSED READING By Tim Etchells
That Night Follows Day is a comical and poignant text written for adults and starring performers aged 8 to 14. The work explores the ways in which adults’ words and actions define young people’s experience. This very special project by Forced Entertainment and Contact will create a rehearsed reading performed by 16 local children. Between 8 and 14 years old and want to be involved in this exciting project? Email abbiewillcox@contactmcr.com for more info about your chance to work with an internationally renowned theatre company and perform on Contact’s main stage. | forcedentertainment.com | timetchells.com | @ForcedEnts | #thatnightfollowsday
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November Tue 5 to Thu 7 Nov, 7pm. £12/6 (excluding food). Over 14s.
YELLOW EARTH: DIM SUM NIGHTS Treat yourself to some tasty new theatre… Do you like to see unusual new theatre? Do you like Chinese food? Then come and combine both in Yellow Earth’s unique show, where fresh, bite-sized pieces of drama by talented British East Asian writers are served up at Sweet Mandarin (Gordon Ramsay’s Best Local Chinese Restaurant in the UK), in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Limited capacity. | yellowearth.org | #dimsumnights Wed 6 to Fri 8 Nov, 7pm; Mon 11 to Thu 14 Nov, 7pm. £9/6. All ages.
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL The UK’s largest Youth Drama Festival returns to Manchester, giving local schools the opportunity to perform on a professional stage, and showcasing four different abridged Shakespeare plays each night.
‘Every child in every school ought to have the chance to experience this magical process.’ Philip Pullman, SSF patron | ssf.uk.com | #ssf2013
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Fri 8 and Sat 9 Nov, 7:30pm. £9/5. Over 12s.
JUST ADD WATER: BOBBY A dark modern-day fairy-tale charting a boy’s journey towards the fate that befalls him as a man, told through a blend of physical theatre, music and puppetry. Experience a Lewis Carrol-esque surreal world where objects come to life and emotions are carried in boxes. Supported by Contact.
‘Everything about this piece is worth seeing.’ ★★★★ Fringe Guru | justaddwatertheatreco.com | #bobby Fri 15 Nov, 7pm, £6/3. Over 13s.
YOUNG IDENTITY: ONE MIC STAND Young Identity are Manchester’s finest young spoken word performers. Join them for a boisterous night of poetry, music and visual art. Want to perform? There are two open Slams — one for performers aged 13-17 and one for those 18+. Email youngidentitymcr@googlemail.com to take part. | youngidentity.org | @YoungIDmcr | #onemicstand
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November Photo © Niall Walker
Sat 16 Nov, 8pm. £11/6. Over 12s.
BEATS Following sell-out runs at Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre and London’s Bush and Soho theatres, Kieran Hurley’s astonishing mix of intricate, well-observed storytelling and exhilarating music and visuals, breaks out on tour. BEATS is a coming-of-age story exploring rebellion, apathy and the irresistible power of gathered youth. With techno. Lots of techno. Written and performed by Kieran Hurley, with live DJ (original mix by Johnny Whoop) plus live visuals by Jamie Wardrop.
Please note: this performance contains strobe lighting. A Show and Tell / The Arches production
‘A tremendous piece of storytelling.’ ★★★★ The Guardian ‘The most exhilarating, urgent response to the 2011 summer riots that I’ve ever seen. A must.’ ★★★★ The Independent | showandtelluk.com | thearches.co.uk | @Show_And_Tell | #BEATStour
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
Tue 19 Nov, 7pm*; Wed 20 Nov, 1:30pm* and 7pm*; Thu 21 Nov, 5:30pm*, ÂŁ11/6. Over 13s. *Post-show talk.
BOX CLEVER: ROMEO AND JULIET By William Shakespeare Adapted by Michael Wicherek with OneNess Sankara Directed by Iqbal Khan An abridged version of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy using a young, energetic cast. Skilfully intertwining original text with contemporary modern language and a live DJ soundtrack. A stunning heart-shaped metal set provides the backdrop, as the lovers and their world is vividly brought to life: the sound, heat and colour of Verona, the dark threat of the feud between their families, and the ever-increasing speed at which events hurry the lovers to their inevitable doom. | boxclevertheatre.com | #BoxCleverR&J
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November Sat 23 Nov, 8pm, £12/7. Over 16s. Tim Whitehead Management presents
TINA C: WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU? Country Music singer, multi-Grammy award-winner and global icon for peace, Tina C. has been a little quiet of late. That’s about to change with a major tour. And she isn’t having any talk of this being a Comeback. Hell no! She rightly apportions blame where it is due, asking the audience, where the hell were you? Comedy, satire and song from the award-winning Christopher Green that neatly skewers America and holds it up for examination.
‘One of the great comic creations of the age. A genuinely fine country singer, but with a twist of satire and insight which is rare and to be highly prized.’ Stephen Fry ‘Comic songs... right on the button.’ ★★★★ The Guardian
| tinac.net | #wherethehellwereyou Sat 30 Nov, 5pm, FREE. Over 14s.
THE LARKS AT CONTACT Re-inventing Manchester’s playtime, The Larks invite you to join in their games. | the-larks.com | @thelarksmcr
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
Photo © Christa Holka Image treatment: Alexander 6.
Fri 29 and Sat 30 Nov, 7:30pm, £11/6. Over 16s.
‘An unabashedly, wacky sweetheart, with a delightful anything goes air.’ The Times
BRYONY KIMMINGS: CREDIBLE LIKABLE SUPERSTAR ROLE MODEL
‘Fascinating.’ Paul Morley, The Review Show, BBC
In an audacious, provocative protest against the world’s flagrant attempts to sexualise and commodify childhood for profit, award-winning artist Bryony Kimmings and her nine year-old niece set out to make fictional pop star Catherine Bennett world famous. This is their show.
Commissioned by Junction and Contact. Supported by Soho Theatre, Southbank Centre and BAC’s Artist Teacher Exchange; and funded by Escalator East to Edinburgh, Arts Council England, The Jerwood Charitable Foundation and The Princes Foundation.
| bryonykimmings.com | #CLSR | catherinebennett.so | #soCB
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December Wed 4 and Thu 5 Dec, every 10 mins, 6:30pm to 9pm (Contact). Fri 6 and Sat 7 Dec, every 10 mins, 11am to 1pm, 1:30pm to 4pm (mystery location). Over 12s. FREE.
FIRST FLOOR THEATRE: OUR FRONT ROOM First Floor Theatre invite you to celebrate the rites of passage and milestones of life, and meet Violet and Archie. Listen to wha dem seh and do the one foot skank, fall in love and move your body to the beat! Our Front Room is an interactive audio performance for two audience members to experience at a time. Limited capacity. Supported by Contact.
Photo © Sam Ryley
| first-floor.info | @FFNottingham | #ourfrontroom Fri 6 Dec, 8pm (7:30pm doors), £9/5. Over 18s. Cake Tin Foundation and Rude Grrl present
MOTHER’S RUIN Kicking off the Christmas period, Mother’s gloriously raucous cabaret is back with its potent cocktail of unique and unpredictable alternative performance. Get into the party spirit with Eggs Collective, Jackie Hagen and much more.
‘Shambolic, insane... stylish and great fun.’ HHHH The Public Reviews | mothersruin.co.uk | @mothers_ruin | #mothers_ruin
Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
Image: © Jamie Alun Price
BSL
interpreted
Fri 13 Dec, 8pm
Thu 12 to Fri 13 Dec, 8pm; Sat 14 Dec, 2:30pm and 8pm. £11/6. Over 12s.
CYAC: ADVENT AVENUE Directed by Paul Mayers Starring Contact Young Actors Company
Time is nearly up for Christmas... It’s Christmas Eve on Advent Avenue, and all of the children have been banished to the attic, where they gather amongst the spider-webs, boxes and broken TVs. It’s a place where their imagination can come alive, but someone is watching from the shadows. Tonight something is going to happen that will change everything... In a performance that blurs the boundaries of the real and the imagined, Contact Young Actors Company will show you the secrets of Advent Avenue, from the awkward office party and the cosy family feast to a banging drunken brawl. Until, finally, the future of Christmas is revealed. | #CYACadventavenue
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Regular Events Comedy
Theatre
Contact and Oliver Sykes Productions present
Scriptworks presents
COMEDY PLAYGROUND
SCRIPTWORKS
7 Oct (Open-mic, Women in Comedy Festival), 7:30pm, £6/3. 4 Nov (Scratch), 7:30pm, FREE. 2 Dec (Open-mic), 7:30pm, £6/3.
Weekly, Mon, FREE. Over 18s. 7 Oct to 25 Nov, 6:30pm-8:30pm.
Manchester’s alternative comedy night, where emerging comics develop their talents and established comics experiment with new material. Sign up to participate or come along to watch. Hosted by Kerry Leigh (Laughing Cows). Book open-mic slots via oliversykes@contactmcr.com
‘Something for everyone.’ HHHH The Public Reviews
| #comedyplayground
Dance Contact and DawN’s MinD presents
MIXED MOVEMENT 5 Oct (Melody Special), 16 Nov, 14 Dec, 9:30pm. Created by DawN Crandell. Manchester’s ONLY open stage event for dancers, with spontaneous solos and duets to improvised music. All styles welcome. Sign up to participate or just watch. Hosted by Keisha Thompson (Young Identity). Book open-stage slots via mixedmovement@contactmcr.com | #mixedmovement
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Writers! How does your work translate to the stage? Find out as your work is read by professional actors. Actors! Get script-inhand practice. Advance booking advised. Info: scriptworks@heaven.co.uk scriptworks.net | #scriptworks
Word RAW (RHYTHM and WORDS) Monthly, Mon, FREE. Over 13s. 23 Sep, 28 Oct, 25 Nov, 8pm. Plus Wed 2 Oct (Melody Special), 8pm. Open mic for poets, vocalists, and MCs, also featuring the Freestyle Pyramid Competition with quirky prizes. Hosted by Martin Visceral (Pen-ultimate) with DJ Jomo. | #RAWMCR RAW Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
First Look
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
We support work-in-development. Watch, give feedback and help shape new performance. Tue 10 to Thu 12 Sep, 7:30pm. £6/3. Over 13s.
Fri 22 and Sat 23 Nov, 7:30pm. £6/3. Over 13s.
Keisha Thompson: I WISH I HAD A MOUSTACHE
PGB: THEY NEVER LET ME PLAY
Body hair is still a controversial topic which brings out a reaction in most people. Join poet Keisha as she takes you on a Socratic journey through the history of the female beauty regime.
Thank You Mario, But Our Princess is in Another Castle...
Supported by Contact. Funded by Arts Council of England with support from Apples and Snakes, Urban Voices and Amazing Heights.
iwishihadamoustacheuk.tumblr.com | #iwishihadamoustache
Following twelve months in the development hothouse as Contact’s Incubator Company, PGB return for a play-date with a difference. Immerse yourself in games and performance with this charming and engaging young company as your guides and hosts. Supported by Contact.
@_P_G_B_ | #theyneverletme Sat 2 Nov, 11am to 4pm, FREE. Over 16s.
PIECE OF WORK: IN BETWEEN DAY
I Wish I Had a Moustache Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
A day of collective procrastination for artists, theatre makers, and practitioners from Contact’s Key Partner Company. If you’ve ever felt like the creative seed will never germinate again, this is your day. pieceofwork.co.uk | #inbetweenday Wed 13 Nov, 7:30pm. £6. Over 13s.
VERBALLY CHALLENGED A script-writing contest where we set the brief, you have two weeks to write the plays, and it’s down to the audience who wins the cash prize. Email elizabethtait@contactmcr.com to get involved. | #verballychallenged
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Education CONTACT EDUCATION LEADERS FORUM Termly — Times and dates vary, FREE. A termly forum session providing information about upcoming shows, workshops, participatory activities and projects, helping teachers and education leaders discover the many ways their pupils can engage with artistic activity at Contact. To find out more, and to sign up to receive regular updates and offers, please contact rachelmoorhouse@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0602.
GROUPS If you’ve never organised a group visit to Contact, it really couldn’t be easier. Sign up and let us look after you: * Receive advance information about shows; get great offers and occasional FREE stuff. * Groups of 10 or more make great savings on shows — every 10th person comes FREE! * Feedback opportunity: Tell us what you thought of your time at Contact. For more info call 0161 274 0600.
Tue 24 Sep, FREE.
OPEN CONTACT A day of free activities for KS3 schools and community groups to find out more about the work Contact does! For more info please contact abbiewillcox@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0613. | #opencontact
WORKSHOPS We offer a variety of workshops especially for education groups. To find out more please contact rachelmoorhouse@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0602.
Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
Join in
Young people are at the heart of everything we do. Don’t just watch, get involved!
CONTACT YOUNG ACTORS COMPANY (CYAC) Weekly, FREE. Ages 15 to 25. Auditions: Mon 9 to Wed 11 Sep, 6pm to 8pm. CYAC work with renowned directors to produce three amazing shows every year. Explore your creativity, push your abilities, and be part of one of the country’s leading young actors companies. | #CYAC
MONDAY DROP Weekly, FREE. Ages 13 to 19. Mon, 7pm to 9pm, 7 Oct to 25 Nov. If you’re interested in drama skills and acting then drop in to our regular Monday night sessions and learn from poets, performers, actors and directors. No experience necessary. | #mondaydrop
YOUNG IDENTITY Weekly, FREE. Ages 13 to 25. Tue, 7pm to 9pm, 3 Sep to 17 Dec. Write, create and perform with Manchester’s premiere young spoken word performers. youngidentity.org | #youngidentity
MEDIA DROP Weekly, FREE. Ages 13 to 25. Mon and Tues, 6pm to 9pm, 16 Sep to 5 Nov. MCs, DJs, vocalists, poets and producers! Collaborate, build your skills, share tracks and stream material in person and online. | #mediadrop Call 0161 274 0600 or visit contactmcr.com for more info and to enquire about any of the above.
TECHNIQUE Weekly, FREE. Ages 13 to 19. Mon, 7pm to 9pm, 7 Oct to 25 Nov. If you want to know what happens behind the scenes in theatre, from sound and lighting to stage management and design, come along to our regular Monday night sessions led by our team of professional technicians. | #techniqueMCR
Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
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Projects FUTURE FIRES 2014 Are you aged 18-30? Future Fires is an opportunity for young and emerging artists from across Greater Manchester to design, plan, and deliver their own community arts outreach project. Over the course of a year from January to December 2014 we will deliver a tailored programme to support your project idea through to delivery. For more information or to apply contact 0161 274 0613 or abbiewillcox@contactmcr.com contactmcr.com/futurefires | #futurefires Supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
THE AGENCY The Agency aims to empower young people to effect positive change in their own communities through an innovative new model developed in Brazil. Over two years, the project will work with young people from underserved communities nationally starting this year in Moston and Harpurhey, Manchester, and Battersea and Clapham Junction, London. Participants with inventive ideas that will change where they live for the better will be supported by successful figures in society and local people to realise their projects. Contact and Battersea Arts Centre, in collaboration with People’s Palace Projects, have been awarded the Gulbenkian Prize to deliver this ground-breaking and ambitious national project.
| @Agency_Change | #theagency
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Design: Mark Brown Studio
Food and Drink / Art
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
CONTACT LOUNGE Mon to Fri: 11am until late. Sat: 3pm until late. Food served Mon to Fri, 12pm to 3pm. A special spot for eating, drinking, chatting, meeting and general lounging. We’ve got FREE WiFi, home cooked and locally sourced lunches, cakes and snacks. Come in and try our amazing bistro coffee or take a cup away with you. You can also hire the Lounge for parties, graduations or meetings, and our kitchen provides catering for events in the building and beyond. All profits from Contact Lounge go to supporting the work we do with young people. @contactlounge | #contactlounge Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
ART Our Lounge and foyer spaces have regularly changing exhibitions by homegrown and international artists. BLANK MEDIA COLLECTIVE Blank Media Collective champion emerging artists in Manchester, by giving them a platform to showcase their work. As part of our exciting curatorial partnership, they will be showcasing new exhibitions each season.
/contactlounge
From Thu 12 Sep, FREE
INVENTED IDENTITIES
A collection of works looking at the way we assume identities, or fashion alter-egos, in order to rewrite our stories and make them more exciting, interesting or palatable. | blankmediacollective.org | @blankmedia | #blankmedia Photo © Blank Media Collective
Until Sat 7 Sep, FREE
HAND-MADE FUTURE An exciting exhibition of contemporary crafts and site-responsive art work, exploring the unique space at Contact.
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Creative Experts and Space Hire Photo © Joel Chester Fildes
Photo © Peppermint PR
CREATIVE EXPERTS
SPACE HIRE
Creative Experts are professional facilitators and consultants who use live and digital art forms to create exciting work. We deliver creative projects, training for staff, interactive performances and seminars for businesses, schools, local authorities and other organisations; with a particular focus around, and engaging directly with, young people.
Our building is available to hire for conferences, festivals, showcases, parties, meetings and more. Talented staff and excellent in-house catering help make our unique spaces the perfect venue for your event.
For more info please contact: creativeservices@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0609.
All profits from our hires and Creative Experts programme go towards supporting our work with young people. For more info please contact: hires@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0628. | contactmcr.com/spacehire
| @CreativeExperts | #creativeexperts
ST WE ST H OT BO
TH OU SM RT PO
MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION
ST SPA
T NS TO AF R G
LD FIE OW LL /FA ME OL SH RU
ST
RD
ST
CECIL ST
DILWORTH ST
RD FO OX
ON YT BL
S ST DEVA
M15 6JA E AN ISB BR
ST
UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER ACADEMY
Cars: Contact does not have a car park but there are several nearby. Please check our website or call Box Office for details.
28
ST VER DO
MANCHESTER MUSEUM
Buses: run every few minutes on Oxford Road from the City Centre, train stations and South Manchester (Rusholme direction). The closest stop is near to Manchester Academy.
For the latest information and maps to help you plan your visit please go to contactmcr.com/visit
RE NT CE ITY /C ION AT ST AD RO
Check out the map to see our local area.
RNCM
RD FO OX
GETTING HERE
T HS RT WO DIL
Visit / Access TICKETS • No booking fees. • Concessions are available to anyone
receiving unemployment or disability benefit, full time students, senior citizens, and young people up to 18 years of age. Proof of status/ID is needed or you will be charged full price.
• Groups: Buy 9 tickets and get your 10th
ticket FREE!
• Donations: We are a registered charity
— if you’d like to donate to our work with young people, you can do so when you book a ticket.
FEELING SOCIABLE? Please help us spread the word about Contact! us on Twitter @contactmcr Follow
Like us on Facebook /contactmcr Watch us on YouTube /contactmcr our Flickr photos /contactmcr See
ACCESS
This brochure is available in large print upon request. We have a flat foyer entrance, ground floor access to our main theatre space and Contact Lounge, lift access to our other spaces and accessible toilets on every floor. Guide dogs can stay with you, or be looked after by a member of staff. Just let us know when you book.
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 • Ticket collection: Avoid the queues and
ask us to post your tickets out to you. Alternatively, please allow plenty of time for collection from box office on the night or collect your tickets in advance.
• Advanced booking is always
recommended. Shows often sell out in advance and we cannot guarantee tickets will be available on the door.
• Latecomers may be refused entry into
a show once the performance starts. Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to avoid disappointment.
• We do not offer refunds on tickets.
SPACES 1 2 3 5 CONTACT LOUNGE MEDIA LOUNGE MEETING ROOM BUILDING ON LOCATION
Hearing Aid Infrared System Receivers can be booked with your ticket. We sometimes have BSL interpreted and Audio Described performances — check out individual events for details or contact our Box Office to learn more. If you have any access requirements, please call or text the Duty Manager on 07970 094 069. For more information please go to contactmcr.com/access
29
Season at a glance AUGUST DAY
EVENT
TIME
PAGE
THU 1 AUG
CYAC: LA BIBLIOTECA
2:30PM
4
THU 1 AUG
CYAC: LA BIBLIOTECA
5:30PM
4
THU 1 AUG
CYAC: LA BIBLIOTECA
7:30PM
4
FRI 2 AUG
CYAC: LA BIBLIOTECA
2:30PM
4
FRI 2 AUG
CYAC: LA BIBLIOTECA
5:30PM
4
FRI 2 AUG
CYAC: LA BIBLIOTECA
7:30PM
4
SAT 3 AUG
CYAC: LA BIBLIOTECA
2:30PM
4
SEPTEMBER DAY
EVENT
TUE 10 SEP KEISHA THOMPSON: I WISH I HAD A MOUSTACHE
TIME
PAGE
7:30PM
23
WED 11 SEP KEISHA THOMPSON: I WISH I HAD A MOUSTACHE
7:30PM
23
THU 12 SEP KEISHA THOMPSON: I WISH I HAD A MOUSTACHE
7:30PM
23
FRI 20 SEP
MOTHER’S RUIN
8:00PM
4
MON 23 SEP RAW (RHYTHM AND WORDS)
8:00PM
22
TUE 24 SEP OPEN CONTACT
10:00AM
24
OCTOBER DAY
EVENT
TIME
PAGE
TUE 1 OCT
20 STORIES HIGH: MELODY LOSES HER MOJO
7:00PM
5
WED 2 OCT
20 STORIES HIGH: MELODY LOSES HER MOJO
5:00PM
5
WED 2 OCT
RAW (RHYTHM AND WORDS): MELODY SPECIAL
8:00PM
22
THU 3 OCT
20 STORIES HIGH: MELODY LOSES HER MOJO
1:00PM
5
THU 3 OCT
20 STORIES HIGH: MELODY LOSES HER MOJO
7:00PM
5
FRI 4 OCT
20 STORIES HIGH: MELODY LOSES HER MOJO (BSL)
7:00PM
5
SAT 5 OCT
20 STORIES HIGH: MELODY LOSES HER MOJO
7:00PM
5
SAT 5 OCT
MIXED MOVEMENT: MELODY SPECIAL
MON 7 OCT COMEDY PLAYGROUND: WOMEN IN COMEDY FESTIVAL SPECIAL
22 22
RASHDASH THEATRE: THE UGLY SISTERS
8:00PM
6
SAT 12 OCT RASHDASH THEATRE: THE UGLY SISTERS
8:00PM
6
FRI 11 OCT
TUE 15 OCT MLF: YOUNG ENIGMA
7:00PM
8
WED 16 OCT CAROLINE HORTON AND CHINA PLATE THEATRE: MESS
7:30PM
7
THU 17 OCT CAROLINE HORTON AND CHINA PLATE THEATRE: MESS
7:30PM
7
7:30PM
8
SAT 19 OCT M LF: 7 TH BLACK & ASIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL (DAYTIME CONFERENCE)
10:30AM TO 5:00PM
9
SAT 19 OCT MLF: 7TH BLACK & ASIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE & FESTIVAL (EVENING FESTIVAL)
7:00PM
9
FRI 18 OCT
30
9:30PM 7:30PM
YOUNG IDENTITY: MIRRORS
WED 23 OCT JONZI D: LYRICAL FEARTA
8:00PM
10
THU 24 OCT JONZI D: LYRICAL FEARTA
8:00PM
10
FRI 25 OCT
COLLECTIVE ARTISTES: ZHE
2:30PM
11
FRI 25 OCT
COLLECTIVE ARTISTES: ZHE
7:30PM
11
SAT 26 OCT COLLECTIVE ARTISTES: ZHE
7:30PM
11
SAT 26 OCT THE BLACK SOUND SERIES
8:00PM
11
MON 28 OCT RAW (RHYTHM AND WORDS)
8:00PM
22
WED 30 OCT FORCED ENTERTAINMENT: TOMORROW’S PARTIES
8:00PM
12
THU 31 OCT FORCED ENTERTAINMENT: TOMORROW’S PARTIES
8:00PM
12
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 NOVEMBER DAY
EVENT
TIME
PAGE
FRI 1 NOV
FORCED ENTERTAINMENT: TOMORROW’S PARTIES
8:00PM
12
SAT 2 NOV
PIECE OF WORK: IN BETWEEN DAY
SAT 2 NOV FORCED ENTERTAINMENT AND CONTACT: THAT NIGHT FOLLOWS DAY MON 4 NOV COMEDY PLAYGROUND TUE 5 NOV
YELLOW EARTH THEATRE: DIM SUM NIGHTS
11:00AM TO 4:00PM
23
2:00PM
13
7:30PM
22
7:00PM
14
WED 6 NOV YELLOW EARTH THEATRE: DIM SUM NIGHTS
7:00PM
14
WED 6 NOV SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
7:00PM
14
THU 7 NOV
YELLOW EARTH THEATRE: DIM SUM NIGHTS
7:00PM
14
THU 7 NOV
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
7:00PM
14
FRI 8 NOV
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
7:00PM
14
FRI 8 NOV
JUST ADD WATER: BOBBY
7:30PM
15
SAT 9 NOV
JUST ADD WATER: BOBBY
MON 11 NOV SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
7:30PM
15
7:00PM
14
TUE 12 NOV SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
7:00PM
14
WED 13 NOV SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
7:00PM
14
WED 13 NOV VERBALLY CHALLENGED
7:30PM
23
THU 14 NOV SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL
7:00PM
14
FRI 15 NOV
YOUNG IDENTITY: ONE MIC STAND
SAT 16 NOV BEATS – A SHOW AND TELL/THE ARCHES PRODUCTION
7:00PM
15
8:00PM
16
SAT 16 NOV MIXED MOVEMENT
9:30PM
22
TUE 19 NOV BOX CLEVER: ROMEO AND JULIET
7:00PM
17
WED 20 NOV BOX CLEVER: ROMEO AND JULIET
1:30PM
17
WED 20 NOV BOX CLEVER: ROMEO AND JULIET
7:00PM
17
THU 21 NOV BOX CLEVER: ROMEO AND JULIET FRI 22 NOV
PGB: THEY NEVER LET ME PLAY
5:30PM
17
7:30PM
23
SAT 23 NOV PGB: THEY NEVER LET ME PLAY
7:30PM
23
SAT 23 NOV TINA C: WHERE THE HELL WERE YOU?
8:00PM
18
MON 25 NOV RAW (RHYTHM AND WORDS)
8:00PM
22
FRI 29 NOV BRYONY KIMMINGS: CREDIBLE LIKEABLE SUPERSTAR ROLE MODEL
7:30PM
19
SAT 30 NOV THE LARKS
5:00PM TO 8:00PM
18
SAT 30 NOV BRYONY KIMMINGS: CREDIBLE LIKEABLE SUPERSTAR ROLE MODEL
7:30PM
19
DECEMBER DAY
EVENT
MON 2 DEC COMEDY PLAYGROUND
TIME
PAGE
7:30PM
22
WED 4 DEC FIRST FLOOR THEATRE: OUR FRONT ROOM
6:00PM TO 9:30PM
20
FIRST FLOOR THEATRE: OUR FRONT ROOM
6:00PM TO 9:30PM
20
11:00AM TO 1:00PM 1:30PM TO 4:00PM
20
THU 5 DEC
FRI 6 DEC FIRST FLOOR THEATRE: OUR FRONT ROOM FRI 6 DEC
MOTHER’S RUIN
SAT 7 DEC FIRST FLOOR THEATRE: OUR FRONT ROOM
8:00PM
20
11:00AM TO 1:00PM 1:30PM TO 4:00PM
20
THU 12 DEC CYAC: ADVENT AVENUE
8:00PM
21
FRI 13 DEC CYAC: ADVENT AVENUE (BSL)
8:00PM
21
SAT 14 DEC CYAC: ADVENT AVENUE
2:30PM
21
SAT 14 DEC CYAC: ADVENT AVENUE
8:00PM
21
SAT 14 DEC MIXED MOVEMENT
9:30PM
22
31
Season on sale from 12pm on Monday 8 July.
WHERE WE’RE AT Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA WE ARE OPEN Mon to Fri 10am to late Sat 3pm to late 24 HOUR ONLINE BOOKING contactmcr.com BOX OFFICE 0161 274 0600 Mon to Fri 10am to 6pm Sat 3pm to 6pm (Closes 7:30pm or 8pm on show nights)
THANK YOU
Thank you to all our individual supporters who have donated online and in person.
Registered Charity Number: 501953 All info correct at time of going to print. Check contactmcr.com for up-to-date info. Cover image: 20 Stories High – Melody Loses Her Mojo. Brochure design: markbrownstudio.co.uk