Contact: What's On - Spring/Summer 2014

What’s On | Spring / Summer 2014

Theatr e | Dance | Spoken Wor d | Comedy Music | Art | Workshops | Cafe Bar | Free Wifi

contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0600 |

@contactmcr |

/contactmcr

Thank you Thanks to our funders, partners and supporters, and all the people who have donated online and in person.

Core Funders:

Project Funders:

Touring Partners:

Project Partners:

Event Supporters:

Media Partners (Queer Contact):

Creative Experts Clients: Arts Council England, BBC North, Burnage Media Arts College, Business In The Community, Cape UK, CBeebies, Cheshire East Youth Theatre, Clore Leadership Programme, Crowe Clark Whitehill, Gateley, Lets Go Global, Manchester City Council, National Deaf Children’s Society, NHS, National Rural Touring Forum, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Sutton Academy, Tyneside Cinema, Virgin Trains, and Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Welcome

Contact is an award-winning theatre and arts venue on Manchester’s vibrant Oxford Road Corridor, with young people at the heart of everything we do. We present professional theatre, dance, spoken word, music, cabaret, live art and comedy across our spaces, surprising places, and online.

It’s my pleasure to introduce our Spring / Summer 2014 programme.

It features outstanding performances, exhibitions and festivals from some remarkable national and international artists for people of any age hungry for something exciting and unusual.

Highlights include stunning music theatre from The Tiger Lillies and Opera North, world-class dance from Vincent Dance Theatre, science-based theatre from Iron-Oxide, physical theatre from Ireland’s junk ensemble and edgy spoken word from Kate Tempest.

We’re also excited to co-present a major new show with Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre: Mark Storor’s Puffball, followed by a special post-show cabaret from Mother’s Ruin (p.23).

It wouldn’t be Contact without our home-grown festivals — and we’re delighted with the line-up for Queer Contact (p.7-12) and Flying Solo (p.1619), each the result of some fantastic partnerships in the city and nationally.

Finally, July sees our biennial international festival of young people’s theatre, Contacting the World. Young artists from England and Scotland have been paired with theatre companies from Iran, Jamaica and India in a nine-month exchange, culminating in public performances in Manchester.

We think it’s a programme worthy of an ambitious contemporary arts venue in a vibrant world city. We can’t wait to see you there.

Matt Fenton, Artistic Director/Chief Executive

Did you know?

• Contact

is also a creative space for young people aged 13 to 30, providing workshops and opportunities, mostly for FREE.

• Young

people work alongside our staff on programming, marketing and technical support, and deliver projects in business and the community.

• Contact

is a place where the next generation of diverse artists, entrepreneurs and young leaders showcase their skills and hone ideas.

• Contact

is an arts charity dependent on the support of our valued funders, a range of Trusts and Foundations, and the generosity of individual donors. To find out more about how you can support our work, please contact: lucygreen@contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0657.

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Projects

Photo © Roshana Rubin-Mayhew

Creative Experts

Contact on Tour

Contact’s Creative Experts are a team of professionally trained facilitators who deliver bespoke workshops, training, seminars and creative consultancy for businesses, local authorities, schools and other organisations. They have a broad range of skills but specialise in work for and engaging directly with young people.

In 2012, Contact and the National Rural Touring Forum (NRTF) embarked on an exciting new national venture: the development of new solo shows for extensive rural touring, and the creation of a national young promoters network.

All profits from our Creative Experts programme go towards supporting our work with young people.

For more information please contact: creativeservices@contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0609.

‘Contact is responsive to a client’s needs, enthused and engaging, truly committed to working with young people, and really quite inspiring!’ Tyneside Cinema I @creativeexperts I #creativeexperts

Since then Contact and NRTF, in partnership with 20 rural touring schemes, have presented Maxwell Golden’s Hip Hop theatre show CountryBoy’s Struggle at 62 venues, delivering 54 young participant workshops and engaging over 50 Young Promoter Groups.

In 2013-14, Sophie Willan’s debut solo The Novice Detective tours to over 50 venues across the UK, revisiting many rural communities. Jackie Hagan’s Some People Have Too Many Legs will follow in 2014-15.

I contactmcr.com/touring Supported by Arts Council England’s Strategic Touring Programme.

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Future Fires

Future Fires 2014

The Agency

Future Fires is a tailored training and mentoring programme for emerging artists aged 18 to 30, interested in developing leadership skills and creating socially engaged community projects.

The Agency aims to empower young people to effect positive change in their own communities through a project model originally developed in Brazil. Through The Agency young people develop their ideas into projects to change where they live for the better, with support from successful people with relevant expertise and their community.

Throughout 2014, we are working with ten Future Fires participants to design and deliver a diverse range of arts projects in communities across Greater Manchester.

For more information please contact: victoriabrown@contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0616.

‘When young people are given the opportunity to lead and be creative they can change the thoughts and feelings of both older and younger people. They can influence change.’ Erica Adkins I contactmcr.com/futurefires I #futurefires Supported by Paul Hamlyn Foundation and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

In September 2013, a pilot version of the project began with young people from Moston and Harpurhey, Manchester, and Battersea and Clapham Junction, London.

From September 2014 the project will be developed in under-served communities nationally.

I contactmcr.com/theagency | #theagency 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.

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January

Image © Benjamin Wachenje

Thu 30 Jan, 8pm. £11/6. Over 16s. Post-show talk.

Sadler’s Wells presents

Jonzi D: Lyrikal Fearta Hip Hop Theatre legend and Artistic Director of Breakin’ Convention, Jonzi D presents an evening of live music, poetry, movement, politics and wit. Featuring acclaimed solo The Letter, co-directed by Dawn Walton, which examines responses to being offered an MBE; Broken Lineage, a new duet with Ivan Blackstock exploring the broken lineage between old skool and new skool Hip Hop generations; and work from local collective Freestyle Fictionary.

‘The name Jonzi D shouts respect in circles of Hip Hop dance theatre.’ The Independent | sadlerswells.com | #lyrikalfearta

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February Queer Contact Festival 2014 Photo © Heath McBride

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

An award-winning and critically acclaimed international festival celebrating LGBT arts and culture, as part of LGBT History Month in Manchester.

Thu 6 Feb, 7:30pm. £15/10. Over 16s.

Contact and Manchester Pride in association with Earl Dax present

Joey Arias and Kristian Hoffman: Lightning Strikes Sleek style, scandalous wit and an extraordinary voice...

With a career so far including singing with David Bowie; hanging out with Andy Warhol; compering Cirque du Soleil’s Zumanity; and selling-out London’s Southbank Centre and Soho Theatre, New York downtown diva Joey Arias is a force to be reckoned with.

In Lightning Strikes, Arias and acclaimed singer/songwriter Kristian Hoffman celebrate the life of their late friend and collaborator, Klaus Nomi. The result is a vibrant musical journey from 70s rock anthems and original compositions, to jazz standards and the songs of Billie Holiday.

‘Eerie, entrancing, filthy and phenomenally talented, Arias is not to be missed.’ Time Out ‘Eat your heart out Madonna.’ New York Times ‘Just go.’ The New Yorker | earldax.com/arias.html | #AriasLightningStrikes

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February Queer Contact Festival 2014 Fri 7 Feb, 7:30pm. £12/7. Over 18s.

Cake Tin Foundation presents

Mother’s Ruin: Who’s Got The Max Factor?

A talent show like no other. A host of North West performers try to bowl over the judges, wow the audience and take home the grand prize. With special guests My Bad Sister, Myra Dubois, and Puppetual Motion. Hosted by Timberlina.

‘A fun night out.’ ★★★★ The Public Reviews | mothersruin.co.uk | #mothers_ruin Sat 8 Feb, 2pm to 4pm. £6/3. Over 14s.

Your Place or Mine?

It’s illegal to be gay in over 70 countries, but closer to home as we achieve more equality, should we keep in touch with our cultural history, or by ignoring it, are we doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past? An afternoon of lively political discussion and performance. Chaired by Tim Redfern. | #YPOM Originally commissioned by Ovalhouse. Supported by the Sexuality Summer School 2014, the University of Manchester.

Sat 8 Feb, 8pm. £9/5. Over 14s. Post-show talk.

Hope Theatre Company, VADA LGBTQ Community Theatre, Working Progress Theatre Company and Chris Hoyle present

To Russia With Love

On the opening weekend of the Winter Olympics, four of our finest local theatre companies make a passionate, funny and illuminating review of Russia’s LGBTQ inequality, with four new plays especially commissioned for the night.

Profits from this show will go to LGBT groups in Russia. | #TRWLManchester

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Celebrating LGBT arts and culture, as part of LGBT History Month.

Sat 8 Feb, 7:30pm. £12/7. Over 14s.

The House of Suarez Vogue Ball Hosted by Rikki Beadle-Blair. Music from The Niallist.

Club culture meets high art as Vogue Houses come together from far and wide to compete for dance supremacy. The intimate confines of Contact’s studio will be transformed into a catwalk spectacular reminiscent of 1970s and ‘80s New York at its most glamorous.

Limited capacity - advance booking recommended.

Workshops: Join the Vogue workshops throughout Jan/Feb. | #vogueballmcr Photo © Michal Repec

Supported by The Granada Foundation.

Sat 8 Feb, 11pm to 3am. £6. Over 18s only.

Off The Hook Vs Pop Curious?

Dance the night away as Manchester’s R&B queer alternative, Off The Hook and purveyors of retro and modern pop music, Pop Curious? provide the perfect soundtrack to Queer Contact’s opening weekend. | #othpopcurious Mon 10 Feb, 7:30pm. £11/6. Over 16s.

Comedy Playground Jonathan Mayor hosts a special edition of Contact’s infamous comedy lab with Craig Hill, Zoe Lyons, Susi Ruffell, Sarah Emmott, Lee Peart and Sophie Willan. | #comedyplayground Photo © Steve Ullathorne

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February Queer Contact Festival 2014 Tue 11 Feb, 7:30pm. £9/5. Over 14s.

Sat 15 Feb, 4pm to 6pm. £6/3. Over 14s.

Contact and Apples and Snakes present

This House Believes...

Young Enigma, Jackie Kay + more: Esquire Literary Salon Special guests Jackie Kay, Patience Agbabi and Gerry Potter join LGBT writers group Young Enigma in a celebration of literature and spoken word.

‘original, refreshing’ The Public Reviews | youngenigma.com | #enigmalitsalon

In a world that’s changing every second, what’s it like being young and queer in the 21st century? A discussion featuring Elly Barnes, young people from LGBT Youth North West and the Albert Kennedy Trust, and hosted by Sarah Emmott. | #thishousebelieves Supported by the Sexuality Summer School 2014, the University of Manchester.

Wed 12 Feb, 7pm and 9pm. £6. Over 14s.

Sat 15 Feb, 11pm to 3am. £6. Over 18s.

Shortcuts

Bollox Vs Tranarchy Vs The Sisters Gorgeous: The End

Two theatre work-in-progress double-bills in a single night, about religion, sexuality and transformation. Shortcuts [1] at 7pm features Mike Heath (mediamedea), and Queer of the Unknown. Shortcuts [2] at 9pm features Adam Lowe/Nikki Franklin (directed by Gerry Potter), and Kate O’Donnell.

Manchester’s Queer-alt club nights come together for a night of big tunes, performances and surprises to celebrate the end of Queer Contact Festival 2014. | #QC14THEEND

| #shortcutsmcr Supported by Cornerhouse Micro Commissions.

Photo © Mary McCartney

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L-R: Jackie Kay, Shortcuts, This House Believes, Bollox Vs Tranarchy Vs The Sisters Gorgeous: The End

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Celebrating LGBT arts and culture, as part of LGBT History Month.

Thu 13 to Sat 15 Feb, 8pm. £20/15. Over 16s.

Contact and Cake Tin Foundation present an Opera North Commission

The Tiger Lillies: Lulu — A Murder Ballad The brilliantly twisted Tiger Lillies take on one of theatre’s most seductive and intoxicating creations, Lulu. With new songs and dark tales from the underbelly of the city, the Lillies combine cabaret, opera, dance and delicious imagery to explore the femme fatale’s unbridled sex appeal, her youth, and her self-destructiveness.

The band’s flamboyant live performance is enhanced by large-scale virtual sets that create an immersive and richly atmospheric environment. Across 20 songs and interludes, the ballad of Lulu unfolds as an uncompromising musical and visual melodrama.

‘A haunting evening’s entertainment full of ethereal grace.’ ★★★★ The Telegraph (on The Rime of the Ancient Mariner)

| tigerlillies.com | #lulumurderballad Opera North gratefully acknowledges the support of PRS for Music Foundation for Lulu — A Murder Ballad.

Photo © Mark Holthusen

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February Queer Contact Festival 2014 Photo © Hugo Glendinning

Thu 6 Feb to Sat 19 April, open daily (not Sun). Free.

Pam Van-Damned: World Warpaint A new photographic exhibition looking into the fun, obsessive and perfect world of self-expression using make-up. Featuring subjects such as Debbie Harry, John Waters, Amanda Palmer, Saul Williams and more.

Photo © Pam Van-Damned

Thu 6 Feb to Sat 19 April, open daily (not Sun). Free.

Ian Brooke / Huntsman Studios: Wax We are reminded of a woman’s power each day. But what makes them powerful? A new photographic exhibition of LGBT women.

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Photo © Ian Brooke

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Tue 18 Feb, 8pm. £11/6. Over 14s. Post-show talk.

Contact and Word of Warning present

Proto-type Theater: The Good, The God and the Guillotine Music composed/performed by MMUle. Animation by Adam York Gregory.

A show that steals its style from the gig, the opera and the recital, The Good, the God and the Guillotine is a music-driven piece of theatre intertwining song and narrative.

Against a background of live, shifting animations, three performers and three laptop musicians explore our tangled relationships with technology, in an atmospheric, multi-media performance that responds to Albert Camus’ 1942 powerful novel L’Étranger (The Stranger).

Photo © Proto-type Theater

‘Beautifully crafted.’ Metro | proto-type.org | #tgtgatg Fri 21 and Sat 22 Feb, 8pm. £12/7. Over 14s.

Kate Tempest and Battersea Arts Centre on Tour: Brand New Ancients The gods are in the betting shops, The gods are in the café.

The gods can’t afford the deposit on their flat...

Winged sandals tearing up the pavement, Me, you, everyone, brand new ancients.

Poet and spoken word artist Kate Tempest tells an everyday epic over an exhilarating live score played by tuba, cello, violin, drums and electronics, that finds the gods of today all around us and reveals that our true heroes are much closer than we think.

‘A genuinely galvanizing presence.’ ★★★★ The Guardian | brandnewancientstour.com | #brandnewancients

BSL

interpreted

Sat 22 Feb, 8pm

A Kate Tempest and Battersea Arts Centre co-production.

Co-commissioned by the Albany. Supported by Arts Council England.

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March Contemporary Dance and Physical Performance

Tue 4 Mar, 7:30pm. £14/8. Over 14s.

Post-show talk.

Vincent Dance Theatre: Motherland Vincent Dance Theatre is one of the most consistently exciting dance companies of the last 20 years. They are a critically-acclaimed ensemble of international dancers and musicians, led by choreographer Charlotte Vincent.

Inching its way through airbrushed beauty, boob jobs and Botox, victim-blaming, slut-shaming and misled motherhood, Motherland is a funny, moving show about what it means to be a woman.

Spurred on by the Spice Girls, Germaine Greer and Caitlin Moran, VDT goes into battle with the big boys, arguing against a narrow, over-sexualised definition of femininity.

A multi-talented ensemble of men, women and children cut across movement, live music, spoken word and song.

Dismantling the dream that women can ‘have it all’, calling into question the gender they were born into and the price they are paying for it.

‘Brave, intelligent entertainment.’

The Times

‘Delivers moments of extraordinary intimacy.’ The Guardian | motherland.org.uk | #motherland

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Contact re-launches its contemporary dance and physical performance programme with two outstanding companies, each working with international artists and performers from across generations.

Sat 8 Mar, 7:30pm. £14/8. Over 8s.

junk ensemble: The Falling Song Physicality is pushed to extremes in The Falling Song by Dublin’s award-winning dance-theatre company, junk ensemble.

With an international all-male cast of dancers and a choir of local children performing live and featuring a set of towering ladders, ropes and hundreds of apples, this breath-taking production looks at the nature of flying and falling, and the dangerous relationship between the two.

‘Presenting the ordinary with a sense of clarity and profundity.’ The Irish Times | thefallingsong.co.uk | #thefallingsong An Incredibly Rare production from Sarah Trist Dance Management Agency, supported by Culture Ireland.

Photo © Fionn McCann

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March Flying Solo Festival

Wed 12 to Sat 22 Mar 2014

Presented by The Basement and East by South East, in association with Contact and Word of Warning.

Wed 12 Mar, 7pm. £9/5. Over 15s.

Thu 13 Mar, 7pm. £9/5. Over 14s.

Sylvia Rimat: If You DecideTo Stay

Rachel Mars: The Way You Tell Them

A quirky, playful performance taking a wry look at decision-making. Sylvia considers the neurons involved and celebrates the choice that the audience makes to join her.

Turning the spotlight on the inner workings of comedy and interrogating the compulsion to be funny. Using real-life material, classic jokes and a wolf suit, this is a beautifully sad and funny show.

‘Subtly brilliant, clever and very human work.’ Richard Gregory, Artistic Director, Quarantine

‘A love letter to comedy.’ The Guardian

| sylviarimat.com | #ifyoudecidetostay Wed 12 Mar, 9pm. £9/5. Over 14s.

Kindle Theatre: A Journey Around My Skull

| rachelmars.org | #thewayyoutellthem Wed 12 and Thu 13 Mar, 5pm to 7pm, 8pm to 9pm (every 12mins). £3/Free with ExSE show tickets. Over 16s.

Jo Bannon: Exposure

A passionate love story that examines the complexity of the human brain by exploring the perplexing world of auditory hallucinations.

An intimate one-to-one performance which uses light, darkness and memory to question whether we can ever really see each other as we really are.

‘Wildly imaginative ... one of the best emerging companies in the country.’

‘An extraordinary 10 minutes.’

The Guardian

Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

| jobannon.co.uk | #exposure

| kindletheatre.org.uk | #MySkull

Kindle Theatre: A Journey Around My Skull

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Jo Bannon: Exposure

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Flying Solo is Contact’s festival exploring the unique experience of solo and one-to-one performance. It features an international line-up of artists and a host of new works seen for the first time.

Fri 14 and Sat 15 Mar, 8pm. £6/3. Over 18s.

Greg Wohead: The Ted Bundy Project A Contact Flying Solo Commission/Preview.

A few months ago Greg stumbled upon a video on YouTube: an interview with serial killer Ted Bundy the day before he was executed. He couldn’t stop watching… and wondered why. | gregwohead.com I #tedbundyproject Supported by Ovalhouse.

Sat 15 Mar, 6:30pm. Free. Over 14s.

Photo © Joel Chester Fildes

Flying Solo Pitch Night Hosted by Sophie Willan.

Eight solo performers pitch to win mentoring support, rehearsal space and the opportunity to develop and perform their show at MC Theater in Amsterdam before bringing it back to Manchester for Flying Solo Festival 2015.

Sat 15 Mar, 9:30pm. £9/5. Over 16s.

Hanneke Kuijpers: Ego 1.04 A Contact Flying Solo Commission/UK Premiere.

After having lived as seven different artists, Amsterdam performer Hanneke is ready to abandon them to her Manchester public. A seductive trip through longings, fears, passions and wherever the ego leads you.

Co-produced by MC Theater (Amsterdam) and Contact.

| hanneke-kuijpers.com | #ego104 Greg Wohead, Hanneke Kuijpers and the Flying Solo Pitch night are presented in collaboration with MC Theater (Amsterdam), Fuel and The Albany.

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March Flying Solo Festival

Wed 12 to Sat 22 Mar 2014 Wed 12 to Sat 15 Mar, 3pm, 4pm, 5pm, 7pm, 8pm, and 9pm. £9/5. Over 16s.

Kaleider: You With Me You With Me is a unique experience for one audience member at a time, taking you on a playful journey through Manchester. Over the course of a 45-minute phone call, a very personal story emerges, with you at the centre.

‘Touching, original and thoughtprovoking.’ Audience Member | kaleider.com | #youwithme Tue 18 Mar, 8pm. £11/6. Over 12s.

Post-show talk.

Iron-Oxide: HeLa

Written and performed by Adura Onashile In 1951, Henrietta Lacks walked into the coloured section of a Hospital in Baltimore. A cell sample taken without her permission became a vital tool in medicine.

HeLa is an engaging exploration of the vast scientific progress made possible by the cells of one, unknown woman. An all-consuming story, intertwining genetic identity, social responsibility and current ethical debates about human tissue research and ownership.

‘A shocking slice of shamefully hidden history ...theatrically bold in the telling, with Onashile’s heart-rending performance at its centre.’ ★★★★ The Herald

| iron-oxide.org I #HeLa Winner of Scottish Art Club Award 2013.

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Flying Solo is Contact’s festival exploring the unique experience of solo and one-to-one performance. It features an international line-up of artists and a host of new works seen for the first time.

Thu 20 Mar, 8pm. £11/6. Over 14s. Post-show talk.

Photo © Liquidphoto

Contact and Word of Warning present

Victoria Melody: Major Tom This one-woman, one-dog show features Victoria and her Basset Hound, Major Tom. It recounts how research into pedigree dog shows led them to compete at Crufts and the Mrs.England 2013 beauty pageant.

‘I laughed until I cried’ ★★★★★ The Times | victoriamelody.co.uk | #majortom Sat 22 Mar, 7pm. £6/3. Over 14s.

Jackie Hagan: Some People Have Too Many Legs A Contact/NRTF Flying Solo Commission. Work-in-progress.

Jackie Hagan is a council estate Rainbow Brite. Last summer she suddenly had her leg amputated and never got told why. An infectiously optimistic story of a dog-eared family that learned to say ‘I Love You’, some hungover nurses and a false leg called George. | #toomanylegs Sat 22 Mar, 8:30pm. £9/5. Over 14s.

Sophie Willan: The Novice Detective A Contact/NRTF Flying Solo Commission.

A homecoming show for our Flying Solo 2012 winner (see p4). Sophie’s father is missing, leaving behind a crumpled photo and a 90s Pop album. With help from you and her slightly psychic Gran, Sophie’s determined to crack the case! Heart-warming, heart-breaking comedy. Directed

by Nathan Evans.

‘Unpredictable, smart and hilarious.’ Whatsonstage | sophiewillan.com | #thenovicedetective Jackie Hagan and Sophie Willan are commissioned by Contact and the NRTF Strategic Rural Touring Programme, supported by Arts Council England, in association with Take Art.

Photo © Roshana Rubin-Mayhew

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March Palaver 2014

Celebrating language and performance.

Tue 25 to Sat 29 Mar, various times/prices The University of Manchester and Contact present

Palaver Festival 2014

A week of events celebrating language and performance. Featuring Two Destination Language, The University of Manchester’s German, French, and Action Palestine societies and more. Check Contact’s website for full listings.

Near Gone. Photo © Alma Haser

Thu 27 Mar, 8:30pm. £9/5. Over 14s. Post-show talk.

Palaver Festival, Contact and Word of Warning present

Two Destination Language: Near Gone Performed in Bulgarian and English.

Two performers have a difficult story to tell. They come on stage and launch themselves into an hour-long attempt to put into words the utterly unspeakable.

Delivered with pounding gypsy-inspired music, this beautiful performance packs a punch as it fills an empty space with two performers, hundreds of fresh flowers and a storm of emotion, transforming your very sense of what it is to be a mother, a father, a child.

You’ll leave more fully alive than ever before.

Additional direction by Charlotte Vincent (Vincent Dance Company). | twodestinationlanguage.com | #neargone

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

April / May Photo: The Mustdashios (2013)

Fri 4 and Sat 5 Apr, 7:30pm. £9/5.

(Two night pass £11/6). Over 14s.

Word of Warning and Contact present

Turn 2014 A micro-festival of new dance.

Explosive, intimate, graceful and challenging — a micro-festival of emerging North West danceworks. Humorous and playful, lyrical and courageous, intense and fearless — all packed into two nights spanning form and space.

‘One of the key events in Manchester’s dance calendar.’ ★★★★ The Public Reviews A hÅb, Contact, DiGM, Live at LICA co-production; a greenroom legacy project.

Go to turnmcr.org to apply to be a part of Turn. Application deadline: 17 January. | turnmcr.org | #turnmcr Sat 12 Apr, 8pm. £9/5. Over 14s.

Piece of Work: Abandoned Places Supported by Contact.

Amanda Pencil is here to save the city from imminent destruction. All she has to do is convince you it’s worth saving. A new performance from Contact’s Key Partner Company. | pieceofwork.co.uk | #abandonedplaces Wed 16 Apr, 7:30pm. £6/3. Over 14s.

Apples and Snakes and Ben Mellor present

Hit The Ode Hit the Ode brings the most exciting poets from the region, the country and the world to the heart of Manchester. Join us! | applesandsnakes.com | #hittheode

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April/May Photo: 70/30 Split (2013)

Thu 8 and Fri 9 May, 7:30pm. £6/3. (Two night pass £9/5).

Over 14s.

Word of Warning and Contact present

Works Ahead 2014 An annual sampler of what’s next in contemporary performance and live art — pushing the boundaries of form and content.

To date, Works Ahead has brushed the petticoats of dance, skirted the fringes of musical theatre and warped the lines of performance installation.

A hÅb commission; a greenroom legacy project.

| wordofwarning.org | #worksahead Wed 28 May, 8pm. £11/6. Over 14s. Post-show talk.

Split Britches: RUFF A Peggy Shaw solo performance.

Directed by Lois Weaver.

Peggy Shaw had a stroke in January 2011. The stroke was in her PONS, which rhymes with the Fonz, one of her many role models.

Since the stroke she’s realized she has never really performed solo. She has always had a host of lounge singers, movie stars, rock and roll bands and eccentric family members living inside her.

RUFF is a tribute to those who have kept her company these sixtyeight years, a humorous and musical perspective on age, gender and bravado, from one of the world’s foremost female performers.

‘An impressionistic monologue that’s engaging, admirably unsentimental and often very funny indeed.’

New York Times

| splitbritches.wordpress.com | #ruff Green Screening A conversational workshop Led by Peggy Shaw and Lois Weaver Tue 27 May, 7pm to 9pm, £6 (£3 with a RUFF show ticket).

Over 14s.

Photo © Ves Pitts

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Ruff and Green Screening are both supported by a Wellcome Trust People Award. Presented in Manchester by Contact and The Centre for the Study of Sexuality and Culture, The University of Manchester. Delivered as part of the Sexuality Summer School’s public event series 2014. Supported by the Stroke Association.

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

June Puffball

Circus and Cabaret at the Royal Exchange Theatre

Sun 8 and Mon 9 Jun, 7:30pm. Over 14s. £15/10 (Show and Cabaret £20/12).

Roundhouse in partnership with Royal Exchange Theatre, Contact and Cast (Doncaster) present

Puffball In the aftermath of an explosion, two survivors remain. One will tell their story, the other will build a home…

Puffball is a new production devised and performed by a young LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) cast in collaboration with renowned director Mark Storor and world-class circus performers.

Inspired by personal stories — at times heart-breaking, at times joyful — the show will be the culmination of a yearlong project working with young people identifying as LGBT from towns and cities across the UK. Fusing storytelling with beautiful circus performances, Puffball is set to a live score by award-winning composer Jules Maxwell.

‘Wise, full of wonder… a joy.’ ★★★★ The Times (on The Fat Girl Gets a Haircut)

Sun 8 and Mon 9 Jun, 9pm. Over 16s.

Contact and Royal Exchange Theatre, in association with Cake Tin Foundation and Rude Grrl present

Mother’s Ruin: Puffball Cabaret Following the performance of Puffball in the main-house, Mother’s Ruin invite you to a raucous late-night cabaret in the auspicious surrounds of the Royal Exchange Theatre Great Hall.

‘Shambolic, insane… stylish and great fun.’ ★★★★ The Public Reviews (on Mother’s Ruin)

Workshops Available for pre-existing groups.

For info please contact: abbiewillcox@contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0613.

Please note that these performances take place at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester.

I roundhouse.co.uk I royalexchange.co.uk I #puffball Photo © Stephen King

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June / July Contacting the World 2014

Contact’s pioneering international theatre exchange project for young people involving young companies from around the globe.

Thu 19 to Sat 21 Jun, 7:30pm. £9/5.

Over 14s.

Tue 8 to Fri 11 Jul, various times/prices.

Over 14s.

CYAC: Contacting the World Home Show

Contacting the World 2014

The host company for Contacting the World 2014 is Contact Young Actors Company.

Catch the first performances of the show they’re developing for the festival. | #CYAC

Contact’s pioneering international festival for young people returns with a lively programme of new theatre, workshops and discussions. Six international youth companies have been twinned for a nine month creative exchange and come to Manchester to present the new work this has inspired.

The companies are: Bread and Butter (Mumbai, India) and Corby Young Actors (Corby, UK); CYAC (Manchester, UK), and margintheater, (Tehran, Iran); Firefly Arts Fresh, (Livingston, UK) and Quilt Performing Arts Company, (Kingston, Jamaica).

The programme will also feature masterclasses, matinee shows from international theatre companies and original performances from local schools.

Check website for full details.

Photo © Joel Chester Fildes

| contactmcr.com/contactingtheworld | #contactingtheworld

Fri 27 and Sat 28 Jun, various times. Free. Over 14s.

Re:Con: Fluxus Supported by Contact.

A weekend of interdisciplinary art curated by our young programming and producing team, bringing together an eclectic mix of emerging and established artists with live performances, screenings and installations from some of the UK’s most forward-thinking theatre makers, film makers, musicians and visual artists | #whatisfluxus

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Photo © Joel Chester Fildes

Regular Events Cake Tin Foundation and Rude Grrl presents

Mother’s Ruin Fri 7 Feb, 7:30pm (Queer Contact), £12/7. Over 18s.

Fri 25 Apr, 8pm (7:30pm doors), £9/5. Over 18s.

Sun 8 and Mon 9 Jun, 9pm (Puffball Cabaret — see p23).

Photo © Joel Chester Fildes

Cabaret

Mother’s gloriously raucous queer cabaret is back with a potent cocktail of unique and unpredictable performance from local, national and international alternative artists.

‘Towering drag queens in six-inch heels, hair-dos to die for, grandeur, glitter and glamour.’ ★★★★ The Public Reviews | mothersruin.co.uk | #mothers_ruin

Theatre The Larks at Contact: Escape Tue 15 Apr, 7pm. Free. Over 14s.

Join The Larks for an evening of games and playfulness. Includes a play-test of Escape, where participants find themselves trapped in a room and must find their way out. Inspired by cult series The Prisoner and video game Portal, Escape playfully addresses current issues around state control and freedom.

Word Contact presents

RAW (Rhythm and Words) Monthly, Mon, Free. Over 13s.

24 Feb, 24 Mar, 23 Jun, 8pm.

An open mic for poets, vocalists, and MCs, also featuring the Freestyle Pyramid Competition with quirky prizes. Hosted by Martin Visceral with DJ Jomo. | #RAWMCR

| the-larks.com I #larksmcr

Young Identity: One Mic Stand

Contact presents

Fri 11 Apr and Fri 6 Jun, 7pm. £6/3.

Over 13s.

Verbally Challenged Wed 4 Jun, 7:30pm. £6. Over 13s.

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.

Join Manchester’s finest young spoken word performers for a night of poetry and music. Featuring two open Slams for ages 13 to 17, and 18+.

Email youngidentitymcr@googlemail.com to take part. | youngidentity.org | #onemicstand

| #verballychallenged

25

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 I 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: We’ll ask you for feedback about your experience at Contact in case we can improve our service even more.

For more info call: 0161 274 0600.

Open Contact Tue 28 Jan, Free.

A day of free activities for KS3 schools and community groups to find out more about the work Contact does.

For further information please contact: abbiewillcox@contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0613. | #opencontact

Workshops We offer a variety of workshops for groups.

To find out more please contact: rachelmoorhouse@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0602.

26

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.

Next auditions: September 2014.

CYAC work with renowned directors to produce 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, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, 13 Jan to 3 Mar; 9 Jun to 28 Jul. 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

Technique

Young Identity Weekly, Free. Ages 13 to 25.

Tue, 7pm to 9pm, from 6 Jan. 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 Tue, 7pm and 9pm, 13 Jan to 4 Mar; 30 Jun to 19 Aug. 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.

CYAC. Photo © Joel Chester Fildes

Weekly, Free. Ages 13 to 25.

Mon, 7pm to 9pm, 13 Jan to 3 Mar; 9 Jun to 28 Jul. 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

27

Contact Lounge and Space Hire Contact Lounge

Space Hire

Mon to Thu: 11am to 11pm Fri: 11am to 12am Sat: 3pm to late

Our building is available to hire for conferences, festivals, showcases, parties, meetings and more. Talented staff and excellent catering help make our unique spaces the perfect venue for your event.

The Contact Lounge is the perfect spot for meeting, chatting and general lounging.

We’ve got free WiFi, locally sourced cakes and snacks, and fantastic coffee to drink in or take away. We also serve a wide range of drinks and sprits.

You can also hire the Lounge for parties, graduations or meetings, and we can provide catering in the building and beyond.

All profits from our hires go towards supporting our work with young people.

For more info please contact: hires@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0628 | | contactmcr.com/spacehire Photo © Joel Chester Fildes

All profits from Contact Lounge go to supporting the work we do with young people.

@contactlounge | #contactlounge /contactlounge

T ES TW HS T O BO

T HS UT MO TS R PO

MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION

ST SPA

UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

N TO AF GR

CECIL ST

LD FIE OW LL /FA ME OL SH RU

T ES AN ISB BR

RD

ST

S ST DEVA

M15 6JA

DILWORTH ST

RD FO OX

ON YT BL

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

ST

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.

Tickets purchased are non-refundable.

Spaces 1 2 3 5 CONTACT LOUNGE MEDIA LOUNGE MEETING ROOM BUILDING ON LOCATION

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 January Day

Event

Sat 11 Jan House Of Suarez Vogue Workshop

Time

Page

3:00pm

9

Sat 18 Jan House Of Suarez Vogue Workshop

3:00pm

9

Tue 28 Jan Open Contact

10:00am

26

Thu 30 Jan Jonzi D: Lyrikal Fearta

8:00pm

6

February Day

Event

Time

Page

Sat 1 Feb

House Of Suarez Vogue Workshop

3:00pm

9

Thu 6 Feb

Joey Arias And Kristian Hoffman: Lightning Strikes

7:30pm

7

Fri 7 Feb

Mother’s Ruin: Who’s Got The Max Factor?

7:30pm

8

Sat 8 Feb

Your Place Or Mine?

2:00pm

8

Sat 8 Feb

The House Of Suarez Vogue Ball

7:30pm

9

Sat 8 Feb

To Russia With Love

8:00pm

8

Sat 8 Feb

Off The Hook Vs Pop Curious?

11:00pm

9

Mon 10 Feb Comedy Playground

7:30pm

9

Tue 11 Feb Young Enigma With Jackie Kay, Patience Agbabi And Gerry Potter

7:30pm

10

Wed 12 Feb Shortcuts (1) — Mediamedea And Queer Of The Unknown

7:00pm

10

Wed 12 Feb Shortcuts (2) — Adam Lowe/Nikki Franklin And Kate O’Donnell

9:00pm

10

Thu 13 Feb Opera North And The Tiger Lillies: Lulu — A Murder Ballad

8:00pm

11

Opera North And The Tiger Lillies: Lulu — A Murder Ballad

8:00pm

11

Fri 14 Feb

Sat 15 Feb This House Believes

4:00pm

10

Sat 15 Feb Opera North And The Tiger Lillies: Lulu – A Murder Ballad

8:00pm

11

Sat 15 Feb Bollox Vs Tranarchy Vs Sisters Gorgeous: The End

11:00pm

10

Tue 18 Feb Proto-Type Theater: The Good, The God And The Guillotine

8:00pm

13

Kate Tempest: Brand New Ancients

8:00pm

13

Sat 22 Feb Kate Tempest: Brand New Ancients

8:00pm

13

Mon 24 Feb Raw (Rhythm And Words)

8:00pm

25

Fri 21 Feb

March Day

Event

Time

Page

Tue 4 Mar

Vincent Dance Company: Motherland

7:30pm

14

Sat 8 Mar

junk ensemble: The Falling Song

7:30pm

15

Wed 12 Mar Jo Bannon: Exposure

5:00pm to 7:00pm, 8:00pm to 9:00pm

16

Wed 12 Mar Kaleider: You With Me

3:00pm to 5:00pm, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

18

Wed 12 Mar Sylvia Rimat: If You Decide To Stay

7:00pm

16

Wed 12 Mar Kindle Theatre: A Journey Round My Skull

9:00pm

16

Thu 13 Mar Kaleider: You With Me

3:00pm to 5:00pm, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

18

Thu 13 Mar Jo Bannon: Exposure

5:00pm to 7:00pm, 8:00pm to 9:00pm

16

Thu 13 Mar Rachel Mars: The Way You Tell Them

7:00pm

16

Fri 14 Mar Kaleider: You With Me

3:00pm to 5:00pm, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

18

8:00pm

17

Fri 14 Mar

30

Greg Wohead: The Ted Bundy Project

Sat 15 Mar Kaleider: You With Me

3:00pm to 5:00pm, 7:00pm to 9:00pm

18

Sat 15 Mar Flying Solo Pitch Night

6:30pm

17

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 March (cont.)

Sat 15 Mar Greg Wohead: The Ted Bundy Project

8:00pm

17

Sat 15 Mar Hanneke Kuijpers: Ego 1.04

9:30pm

17

Tue 18 Mar Iron-Oxide: HeLa

8:00pm

18

Thu 20 Mar Victoria Melody: Major Tom

8:00pm

19

Sat 22 Mar Jackie Hagan: Some People Have Too Many Legs

7:00pm

19

Sat 22 Mar Sophie Willan: The Novice Detective

8:30pm

19

Mon 24 Mar Raw (Rhythm And Words) Tue 25 to Sat 29 Mar

Palaver Festival

Thu 27 Mar Two Destination Language: Near Gone

8:00pm

25

Tbc

20

8:30pm

20

April Day

Event

Time

Page

Fri 4 Apr

Turn 2014

7:30pm

21

Sat 5 Apr

Turn 2014

7:30pm

21

Fri 11 Apr

Young Identity: One Mic Stand

7pm

25

Sat 12 Apr

Piece of Work: Abandoned Spaces

Tue 15 Apr The Larks: Escape Wed 16 Apr Hit The Ode Fri 25 Apr

Mother’s Ruin

8:00pm

21

7:00pm

25

7:30pm

21

8:00pm

25

May Day

Event

Time

Page

Thu 8 May

Works Ahead 2014

7:30pm

22

Fri 9 May

Works Ahead 2014

Wed 28 May Split Britches: Ruff

7:30pm

22

8:00pm

22

June Day

Event

Time

Page

Wed 4 Jun

Verbally Challenged

7:30pm

25

Fri 6 Jun

One Mic Stand

7:00pm

25

Sun 8 Jun

Puffball

7:30pm

23

Sun 8 Jun

Mother’s Ruin: Puffball Cabaret

9:00pm

23

Mon 9 Jun

Puffball

7:30pm

23

Mon 9 Jun

Mother’s Ruin: Puffball Cabaret

Thu 19 Jun Cyac: Contacting The World Home Show

9:00pm

23

7:30pm

24

Cyac: Contacting The World Home Show

7:30pm

24

Sat 21 Jun Cyac: Contacting The World Home Show

7:30pm

24

Fri 20 Jun

Mon 23 Jun Raw (Rhythm And Words)

8:00pm

25

Re:Con: Fluxus

Tbc

24

Sat 28 Jun Re:Con: Fluxus

Tbc

24

Fri 27 Jun

July Day

Event

Time

Page

Tue 8 Jul

Contacting The World 2014

Tbc

24

Wed 9 Jul

Contacting The World 2014

Tbc

24

Thu 10 Jul Contacting The World 2014

Tbc

24

Contacting The World 2014

Tbc

24

Fri 11 Jul

31

Find Us Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA We are open Mon to Fri 10am to 11pm 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

Thanks to our funders, partners and supporters, and all the people 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: Victoria Melody: Major Tom. Photo Š Liquidphoto. Brochure design: markbrownstudio.co.uk