Contact I What's On I Apr - Jul 2017

W H A T ’ S O N | A PR–JUL 2017

Theatre | Dance | Spoken Word | Comed y Music | Art | Workshops | Café Bar | Free WiFi contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0600 |

@contactmcr |

/contactmcr

THANK YOU Thanks to our funders, sponsors and supporters, and all who have made donations to Contact online and in person.

Core Funders:

Project Funders:

Project Partners:

Awards:

Creative Experts Clients: BBC, Business In The Community, The Co-operative Group, Crowe Clark Whitehill, Curious Minds, Electricity North West, Gateley Plc, GMCVO, Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Greenlight Computers, Heineken, Insider Media Ltd, North West Business Leadership Team, The National Deaf Children’s Society, NHS, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Remploy, Salford University, Sharp Futures, South Manchester Enterprise Network, Tate Liverpool, Tyneside Cinema, St. Johns Buildings, Siemens, University of Manchester, University of Salford, Your Housing.

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WELCOME

APR – JUL AT CONTACT Our summer programme sees a fantastic range of shows, events and projects with an international focus.

We're really pleased to present the hard-hitting Scorch from Northern Ireland, following a gender-fluid young person and inspired by real-life news events. Meanwhile Matt Fenton © Joel Chester Fildes Contact supported artist Sophie Willan presents her new show about growing up in care. For dance fans, TURN micro festival of new dance returns followed by the stunning Leviathan from James Wilton Dance company, inspired by the novel Moby Dick.

We continue to present unique family shows, this time the wonderful We Come from Far Far Away by UK/Scandinavian company New International Encounter, exploring the experience of child refugees, and taking place in a huge yurt-style tent!

For radical performance lovers, Anglo-Belgian company Reckless Sleepers present their classic Schrödinger with a particular relevance to the current political climate; and the brilliant Action Hero work with Contact Young Company on a new show, 15 Minutes, inspired by Andy Warhol.

Finally, we’re delighted to rekindle our relationship with Manchester International Festival, hosting an important residency for dance makers led by New York sensation FlexN. Matt Fenton, Artistic Director/Chief Executive Book more, pay less

Mates rates

Book more than one show in a single transaction and save some cash!

• Book 2 shows, get 10% off your tickets • Book 3 shows, get 15% off your tickets

Book 6 tickets for a show in a single transaction and get £1 off each ticket

T&Cs: Tickets must be booked in a single transaction, offer cannot be applied retrospectively.

Exclusions apply, visit contactmcr.com/ticketoffers for details.

Contact is the national contemporary arts organisation that places young people’s decision-making and leadership at the heart of everything. Young people aged 13+ work alongside our staff in deciding our programme, making staff appointments and sit on our Board. The result is a remarkable, diverse and exciting programme for everyone — whatever your age.

Did you know?

• Contact

is a creative space for young people aged 13 to 30, providing workshops and opportunities, mostly for free (see pages 26-27).

• Contact

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

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APR © Ed Collier

Thu 20 & Fri 21 Apr, 7pm. £13 / £7 conc. Over 12s.

Post-show discussion Thu 20 Apr. Space 1.

CHINA PLATE PRESENTS

THE LOUNGE

By Inspector Sands.

BSL

performance Fri 21 Apr, 7pm

97 years go by in a flash. An afternoon lasts an eternity.

In a care home lounge somewhere off the A1, 97-year-old Marsha Hewitt begins the last day of her life. But she cannot go quietly. As the radiators burn and Jeremy Kyle blares, rivalries, relatives and murderous impulses jostle for space on the Axminster carpet. By teatime, a riot is brewing. The award-winning Inspector Sands (A High Street Odyssey, If That’s All There Is, Hysteria) shine a spotlight on how we cope, or fail to cope, with ageing. ★★★★★ ‘A moving and important story’ Three Weeks ★★★★★ ‘Wonderfully dark and surreal’ Broadway Baby Commissioned by Harlow Playhouse. Supported by The Sackler Trust and using public funds from The National Lottery through Arts Council England. Supported by South Street Arts Centre and Artsdepot.

I chinaplatetheatre.com | #TheLoungePlay

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Fri 21 Apr, 7.30pm. Sat 22 Apr, 2pm and 7.30pm. £12 / £8 conc. Over 14s. Space 2.

FUTURES THEATRE: OFFSIDE

By Sabrina Mahfouz and Hollie McNish.

A new play inspired by real, untold stories from the world of women’s football.

It is 1881. It is 1921. It is 2017.

Four women from across the centuries live, breathe, and play football. Whilst each of them face very different obstacles in pursuing their dream profession, the possibility that the beautiful game will change their futures — and the world — is tantalisingly close.

Offside is told through lyrical dialogue, poetry, and punchy prose, placing the audience on the touchline of the game of a lifetime.

‘Her use of language is rhythmic and lyrical’ The Stage (on Sabrina Mahfouz’s Dry Ice) ‘I can’t take my ears off her’ Benjamin Zephaniah (on Hollie McNish) Supported by Arts Council England, The Foyle Foundation, The Professional Footballers’ Association, The Leche Trust and Unity Theatre Trust. Dramaturgical support from the Traverse Theatre. Developed with support from the National Football Museum and Manchester City Women's Football Club.

| futurestheatre.co.uk | #offsideplay

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APR Holly Rush, Turn 2016 © Tamsin Drury

Fri 28 Apr, 7.30pm. £9 / £5 conc. Over 12s.

WORD OF WARNING, DANCE MANCHESTER AND CONTACT PRESENT

TURN: A DANCE MICROFESTIVAL

All the energy of this annual whirlwind of Northern dance condensed into just one night. Fluidly lyrical, effervescently acrobatic or eccentrically innovative, let Turn transport you into a frenzy of dance. ★★★★ ‘A significant event in the annual calendar for audiences and creatives.’

The Reviews Hub

Co-produced by hÅb, Contact, Dance Manchester and Manchester Dance Consortium.

| turnmcr.org I #TurnMCR

Mon 24 – Sat 29 Jul MANCHESTER DANCE CONSORTIUM AND CONTACT PRESENT

CHOREOLAB 2017

For dance movers and makers, a summer Choreolab with workshops, masterclasses and mentoring. Keep your diaries free. More details to follow.

Stay in touch via bit.ly/McrDanceConsortium

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

MAY Toni Dee Paul © Tamsin Drury

Tom Cassani © Guido Mencari

Chanje Kunda © Tamsin Drury

Jamil Keating © Tamsin Drury

See all the shows over both nights, double ticket offer

Thu 11 & Fri 12 May, 7.30pm. Over 14s.

WORD OF WARNING, CONTACT AND STUN PRESENT

£13 / £7 conc.

WORKS AHEAD

From the very edges of deception to the comfort blanket of the home-cooked; the quantum world of the tiny to the expanses of the universe; outer-space to inner-city streets. A series of explorations of home and homelessness, trust and trickery, science and sensuality.

Our annual sampler of what’s next in contemporary performance and live art: brand new commissions from up and coming talent — two nights in two venues.

AT CONTACT.

AT STUN STUDIO (Z-ARTS, M15 5ZA).

Thu 11 & Fri 12 May, 7.30pm. £7 / £4 conc.

Thu 11 & Fri 12 May, 7.30pm. £7 / £4 conc.

Toni Dee Paul My Father's Kitchen Exploring home-cooked food and family trees, memory, poetry and what it means to be ‘home’.

Chanje Kunda Superposition Science, sensuality, spirituality, selves.

How our bodies mirror the universe through a constellation of particles shimmering within.

Tom Cassani Someone Loves You Drive With Care Collectively constructed truths and lies — a deceptive exposé of deception itself.

Trained in magic and sleight of hand, Tom uses deceit as an artistic platform.

Plus a limited capacity experience — free with Superposition ticket, first come, first served: Jamil Keating Asteroid RK1 Asteroids and addictions. Meteorites and human rights. Comets in the night sky and care in the city.

Works Ahead is co-produced by hÅb and Contact.

| worksahead.org I #WorksAhead

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MAY © Daniel Ainsworth

Wed 3 – Sat 6 May, 7.30pm. £11 / £6 conc. Over 18s.

Post-show discussion Thu 4 May. Space 2.

THICK RICHARD: SWEAR SCHOOL A fast-paced crash course in everything you wanted to know about bad language that school couldn’t teach you. Join the class of sinister puppets as punk poet Thick Richard looks at the history, definition and use of swearing in his darkly humorous, educational show. Very, VERY strong language throughout!

'Confrontational, hilarious, inventive and genuinely educational. Genius!’

Girl Gang Manchester

‘Stu-f***ing-pendous’ John Cooper Clarke Commissioned by Waterside Arts Centre and Creative Industries Trafford.

I thickrichard.wordpress.com

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BSL

performance Fri 5 May, 7.30pm

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Steve Tanner

Tue 16 & Wed 17 May, 8pm. £15 / £10 conc. Over 12s.

Post-show discussion Tue 16 May. Space 1.

JAMES WILTON DANCE: LEVIATHAN Multi-award winning choreographer James Wilton re-imagines Herman Melville’s seminal novel, Moby Dick.

Featuring a talented cast of dancers and Wilton’s trademark blend of athletic dance, martial arts, capoeira and partner-work, LEVIATHAN will have you on the edge of your seat. It will leave you gasping for air under the sheer ferocity of movement, all accompanied by a powerful electro-rock soundtrack by Lunatic Soul.

LEVIATHAN is man versus nature.

‘Extraordinary’ The Stage ‘Innovative and exhilarating’ Reviews Hub Commissioned by: The Barbican Theatre, Plymouth University, Plymouth Culture and Ocean City Festival, Swindon Dance, The Place, Blackpool Grand, Barnsley Civic, The Gulbenkian and BBC Performing Arts Fund, with support from Arts Council England, Grants for the Arts.

I jameswiltondance.org.uk

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MAY © Ciaran Bagnall

Tue 23 & Fri 26 May, 7.30pm. Wed 24 & Thu 25 May, 2pm and 7.30pm. £11 / £6 conc. Over 12s. Space 2.

CONTACT AND THE SEXUALITY SUMMER SCHOOL PRESENT

PRIME CUT PRODUCTIONS: SCORCH

By Stacey Gregg.

‘Happiness. Aching, constant, consuming.

On there it’s more real than real life.

I’m honest on there. I’m being honest.’

For those who don’t feel like they’re in the right life, online is a place to be yourself.

Out in the real world though, things can be very different.

Inspired by recent court cases, the multi-award winning Scorch is a story of first love through the eyes of a gender-curious teen, and examines how the human story often gets lost amidst the headlines. ★★★★★ Adelaide Theatre Guide ★★★★★ The Advertiser Adelaide ★★★★★ Broadway Baby ★★★★★ The To Do List ★★★★ The Scotsman ★★★★ The Stage ★★★★ Irish Times | primecutproductions.co.uk

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© Adrian Philpott

Wed 24 & Thu 25 May, 8pm. £15 / £10 conc. Over 14s.

Post-show discussion Wed 24 May. Space 1.

RECKLESS SLEEPERS: SCHRÖDINGER In 1933 Erwin Schrödinger won the Nobel Prize for his contribution to Quantum Mechanics. He theorised a box in which a cat exists as living and dead at the same time.

In 1998 Reckless Sleepers built that box — and now almost twenty years later, they are climbing back inside. In one of the company’s most celebrated performance pieces the impossible is probable: truth and illusion are inseparable. Laws are made, bent then broken.

It’s a visually mesmerising performance that sways between question and answer, chaos and order, what we can measure and what we can’t. ★★★★ The Times ★★★★ The Guardian ★★★★ Fringe Mag Supported by Arts Council England.

| reckless-sleepers.eu

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MAY / JUNE © Premysl Bukovsky

Fun for families

Wed 31 May, Thu 1 & Fri 2 June, 2pm and 7pm. £11 / £6 conc.

Over 10s. Post-show discussion after every 7pm show. Space 1.

NEW INTERNATIONAL ENCOUNTER: WE COME FROM FAR FAR AWAY

BSL

performance Fri 2 June, 7pm

Performed in a Mongolian Yurt, We Come from Far Far Away explores the stories of refugees following the difficult and amazing journey of two boys from Aleppo who travel to Norway. Using live music, storytelling, clowning, comedy, shadow puppetry and a small tent to tell a big story in an intimate way.

Funded by Arts Council England and Arts Council of Norway, Performing Arts Hub Norway, Norwegian Minstry of Foreign Affairs, Asker Kulturskole and Spenn.

| nie-theatre.com | #wecomefromfarfaraway

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Benji Reid

Fri 9 June, 7.30pm. £11 / £6 conc. Over 12s. Space 1.

YOUNG IDENTITY: ONE MIC STAND With special guest Ty. Join Manchester’s finest young spoken word performers for a night of poetry, music and visual art. Featuring an open slam and special guests.

Ty is one of black music’s true innovators. Nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, he has shared the mic with the likes of De La Soul and Damon Albarn. | youngidentity.org I #onemicstand

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JUNE © Oliver Rudkin

Tue 20 & Wed 21 June, 7.30pm. £13 / £7 conc. Over 15s (contains nudity).

Post-show discussion Tue 20 Jun. Space 1.

PETER MCMASTER: 27 Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix and Brian Jones all died aged 27.

As Peter McMaster and co-performer Nick Anderson reach 27 years of age, they unashamedly unpack their complex autobiographies to describe the strikingly visual and visceral poetics of getting older and change.

Trying to understand how life is never fixed, these two performers push their bodies towards exhaustive extremes, inhabiting moments of pain, grief and elation, transforming the threat of untimely death into an explosive celebration of being.

'Each time their bodies slam into one another, it’s all I can do not to gasp with the bruising beauty of it.’ Exeunt | petermcmaster.org

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JUNE / JULY

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Steve Ullathorne

Wed 28 Jun – Sat 1 July, 8pm. £13 / £7 conc. Over 14s. Space 2.

SOPHIE WILLAN: WILD Commissioned by Contact.

Edinburgh Fringe Preview. Chortle Best Newcomer Nominee 2017.

Sophie Willan struggles with normal. In this highly anticipated follow up to her 2016 smash hit debut, this brutally honest and gloriously unpredictable breakout star returns to tell us why.

Expect a raucous show like no other from this bold and unapologetic young powerhouse.

As seen on As Yet Untitled (Dave) and as heard on BBC Radio 4. ★★★★★ 'An exceptional new talent’ The Herald | sophiewillan.com

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JULY

FLARE17: MIXED PROGRAMME Contact hosts a night of ground-breaking international performance as part of the return of Flare International Festival of New Theatre.

Wed 5 Jul, 7.30pm. £12 / £8 conc. Over 15s (contains nudity). Space 1.

FLARE INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF NEW THEATRE PRESENTS

GRAND APPLAUSE

Performed by Guillem Mont de Palol and Jorge Dutor.

An extraordinary on-stage exhibition, re-fashioned as the opera Carmen, complete with real live chorus.

Guillem Mont de Palol and Jorge Dutor are known across Europe for their joyous and astonishing works for theatre. Following the success of #losmicrófonos at FLARE15, they return as part of an evening of theatre at Contact for FLARE17 (Tue 4 – Sat 8 Jul).

More information on the programme will be announced shortly, please check contactmcr.com | flarefestival.com I montdedutor.com I #FLARE17

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Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray at MIF15, Manchester, UK © Sodium

Mon 3 – Tue 11 Jul. Over 12s.

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL 2017 AND CONTACT PRESENT: FLEXN RESIDENCY In association with Young Identity.

Reggie ‘Regg Roc’ Gray directed one of the hits of MIF15: FlexN Manchester, a thrilling transatlantic street dance collaboration featuring dancers from Greater Manchester and Reggie’s native New York. Two years on, Reggie will be returning to the Festival for a residency at Contact, part of a series of MIF17 events exploring contemporary dance.

During his time at Contact, Reggie will be introducing a group of dancers to the FlexN dance style, working with local spoken word collective Young Identity to explore new ways of telling stories through words and movement. To find out how you can get involved in the FlexN Residency, email flexn@mif.co.uk Alongside these workshops, MIF and Contact will be presenting a series of masterclasses and open rehearsals from Boris Charmatz (10000 Gestures), the Lucinda Childs Company (Available Light), Company Wayne McGregor (ToGather) and Frantic Assembly (Fatherland). For details, see mif.co.uk | mif.co.uk | #flexn

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JULY

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Joel Chester Fildes

Wed 26 – Sat 29 Jul, 7.30pm. £13 / £7 conc. Over 12s. Space 2.

CONTACT AND ACTION HERO PRESENT

CONTACT YOUNG COMPANY: 15 MINUTES 15 Minutes is a Warhol-fuelled journey into the world of pop art and cultural icons. Warhol once said ‘In the future everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes’. Using live performance, video and sound the award-winning Contact Young Company find out if he was right.

Surely in these days of tweets and GIFs, it’s more like 15 seconds, right? | #ContactYoungCo

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REGULAR EVENTS © Joel Chester Fildes

© Joel Chester Fildes

Mon 24 Apr, 22 May, 26 Jun, 8pm. Free.

Over 12s. Space 5.

Wed 17 May, 10pm. Free. All ages.

Space 5.

CONTACT PRESENTS

CONTACT AND DAWN’S MIND PRESENTS

An open mic for poets, vocalists, and MCs, also featuring the Freestyle Pyramid Competition with quirky prizes.

Contact’s open stage event for dancers.

Turn up and just watch, or let the music grab you and join in.

Hosted by DJ Jomo with special guests.

Dancers! Want to take part? Email mixedmovement@contactmcr.com

RAW (RHYTHM AND WORDS)

| #RAWMCR

MIXED MOVEMENT

Hosted by Keisha Thompson. | #mixedmovement

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EXHIBITIONS

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Š Sean Goldthorpe

Thu 20 Apr - Sat 29 Jul, open daily (not Sun). Free.

11 MILLION REASONS TO DANCE Photography by Sean Goldthorpe. Commissioned by People Dancing.

People Dancing created the 11 Million Reasons to Dance photography exhibition with support from Unlimited Impact and Arts Council England. Emerging photographer Sean Goldthorpe was commissioned to create 20 images inspired by iconic dance moments from film. The vision was to positively profile Deaf, sight impaired and disabled people who dance.

I communitydance.org.uk/11millionreasons I #11millionreasons

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EDUCATION ©Joel JoelChester ChesterFildes Fildes ©

EDUCATION

CREATIVE EXPERTS

If you are a teacher, sign up to find out more about our education activities via education@contactmcr.com or call 0161 274 0600.

Contact’s Creative Experts are a group of young practitioners and facilitators who deliver creative consultancy services to corporate clients, charities and public organisations.

CONTACT’S EDUCATION NEWSLETTER Providing information about up-coming educational shows, workshops, participatory activities and projects, our education newsletter helps teachers discover the many ways their pupils can engage with creative learning at Contact.

Sign-up to receive regular updates, special offers and invites to exclusive educational events.

‘Creative Experts are innovative, exploratory and refreshing’

GROUPS It really couldn’t be easier to organise a group visit to Contact. Let us look after you:

For more information please email creativeexperts@contactmcr.com or call 0161 274 0628.

• Groups of 10 or more make great savings on shows — every 10th person comes free.

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Working with Creative Experts and their fresh approach to professional development services, conference enhancement and workshop facilitation, not only benefits local business and enterprise, but also enables organisations to be more socially responsible.

Sue Bagguley, Head of Strategy and Business Development, Siemens

PROJECTS © Joel Chester Fildes

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Joel Chester Fildes

FUTURE FIRES

THE AGENCY

Spring 2017 sees the relaunch of Future Fires which supports the development of future arts leaders.

The Agency, Contact’s creative entrepreneur project with Battersea Arts Centre and Peoples Palace Projects uses a creative methodology developed in the favelas of Rio De Janerio, Brazil to empower young people from underserved areas to create social initiatives to impact positive change in their communities.

We are seeking passionate young people aged 18 – 30 who want to develop their own community arts project and in return you will receive mentoring, training and support to make it happen.

Past projects include the development of Harry, a radio play created with unemployed young people, a photography exhibition raising awareness of homelessness and a slam poetry project for young women.

Future Fires has launched the careers of numerous young arts professionals and supported the establishment of new charities and social enterprises.

For more information contact: victoriabrown@contactmcr.com Funded by Esmee Fairbairn, UnLtd and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.

I #FutureFires

Over the past 4 years we have developed over 20 projects, businesses, social enterprises and events, ranging from basketball tournaments focusing on social inclusion (Three Points) to family baking projects (Crumbs).

Our 2016/17 funded projects include Console.Code which engages young people in coding, community festival Afrobase, Reel it In which teaches young people to fish and poetry project Open Minds but Silent Sounds.

The Agency has been funded for three years by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, and is now funded

by The Big Lottery Fund.

I #agentschange

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CONTACT’S CAPITAL TRANSFORMATION

CONTACT IS Arts Council England has confirmed funding of £3.85million towards Contact’s capital refurbishment. The £6.5million project will transform our landmark building for the next generation of audiences, artists and young people.

Designed in consultation with young people, the refurbishment of our unique building will: create new performance and community spaces

•

expand the café bar and reorganise the public spaces

•

provide new facilities for young people’s talent and leadership activity

•

improve access for those with disabilities and access requirements

•

The technical and digital infrastructure will be replenished, and the environmental performance of the naturally ventilated building will be improved, consolidating Contact’s position as one of the leading sustainable theatres in the UK.

We are hugely grateful to the leading supporters who are already backing our vision.

To find out more, including how you can support our fundraising campaign, please email lucylloydruck@contactmcr.com Capital Supporters

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

CHANGING ‘Contact was the first place I ever felt good at something. Eight years on from being a member of the Young Company, I am now a member of the Board of Trustees, working to ensure the building remains relevant and meaningful to a new generation. We need your help — if you think you can, please get in touch.’

* building drawings are illustrative and may not reflect the final design

Afreena Islam Board Member / Freelance Artist and Producer, aged 26.

Photo: Young people’s consultation feeding back on suggested fixtures and fittings

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JOIN IN Young people are at the heart of everything we do. Don’t just watch, get involved! © Joel Chester Fildes

MONDAY DROP Weekly. Free. Ages 13 –19.

Mon, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, 15 May – 10 Jul. Interested in drama skills and acting?

Drop in and learn from professional performers, actors and directors.

No experience necessary. | #mondaydrop

© Joel Chester Fildes

MEDIA DROP Weekly. Free. Ages 13 – 25.

Mon, 6pm – 9pm, 8 May – 3 July.

MCs, DJs, vocalists, poets and producers!

Collaborate, build your skills, share tracks in person and online. | #mdropmcr

© Joel Chester Fildes

LEVEL UP: MUSIC PROJECT* Weekly. Free. Ages 13 – 30.

Tue, 6pm – 9pm, 30 May – 18 Jul. Develop music production skills working with industry professionals to produce, promote and perform your music. | #levelupmcr

© Joel Chester Fildes

TECHNIQUE Weekly. Free. Ages 15 – 25.

Mon, 7pm – 9pm, check contactmcr.com for start dates.

Develop skills in lighting, sound and technical theatre led by our professional technicians. | #techniquemcr

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Shirley May

YOUNG IDENTITY Weekly. Free. Ages 13 – 25.

Every Tuesday.

6pm – 7pm (beginners).

7pm – 9pm (some experience).

Write, create and perform with Manchester’s premiere young spoken word performers.

I youngidentity.org

© Joel Chester Fildes

ARTS AWARD DROP Weekly. Free. Ages 13 – 25.

Wed, 5pm – 6.30pm, 17 May – 12 Jul. Work your way through Bronze, Silver and Gold Arts Awards to explore the arts, develop your skills and become a creative leader.

© Joel Chester Fildes

CONTACT YOUNG COMPANY (CYC) Weekly. Free. Ages 15 – 25.

Next Auditions: 13 & 14 Sep, 6pm – 8pm.

Contact’s award-winning ensemble recruited from a diverse mix of performers, actors, musicians, dancers, poets and MCs under 25.

They create professional-standard public performances working with internationally acclaimed companies and directors. | #contactyoungco

GET INVOLVED! Book your slot online or via 0161 274 0600, or just turn up for Monday Drop, Media Drop, Technique or Young Identity. *To apply for Level Up or for more info please contact sammalik@contactmcr.com

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CONTACT LOUNGE AND SPACE HIRE CONTACT LOUNGE

SPACE HIRE

Mon/Tue: 11am – 9pm.

Wed – Fri: 11am – late.

Sat: 3pm ‘til late for performances.

Food served: Mon – Fri, 12pm – 4pm.

Our building is available to hire for conferences, festivals, showcases, parties, meetings and more.

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

We serve a wide range of hot and cold beverages including Puro Fairtrade coffee (also available to take out) alongside a variety of wines, beers and spirits, and snacks.

Our in-house caterers Samosa Shack offer delicious artisan street food inspired

by Gujarati cuisine (vegetarian and vegan options available) from our Lounge every Monday to Friday from 12pm to 4pm.

Talented staff and excellent catering help make our unique spaces the perfect venue for your event.

We also offer a ticketing service enabling you to sell events via our Box Office, online and over the phone.

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

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

© Joel Chester Fildes

You can also hire the Lounge for a variety of events. We are popular for meetings, parties, graduations and much more.

For more info please contact: hires@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0628.

T ES TW HS T O BO

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.

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UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

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MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION

Cars: We do not have a car park but there are several nearby. Please check our website or call Box Office for details.

For the latest information and maps to help you plan your visit please go to contactmcr.com/visit

ST VER DO

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

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VISIT / ACCESS

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

• Ticket collection: We now support Print At Home ticketing. Purchase online, in We're happy to introduce print at home person or over the phone to receive your ticketing for all of our performances. e-ticket. Print your e-tickets at home or More information can be found below. bring your e-ticket on your smartphone and we'll sort the rest. Limited non • We don’t charge booking fees. e- tickets can still be purchased and • Hours: Box office is open Monday-Friday, collected from our Box Office, please 10am-9pm, and from 3pm onwards on arrive at least 30 minutes before the Saturdays. Our phone lines close an hour advertised show time. before the advertised show time.

• Advanced booking is always • Concessions include: Senior Citizen, recommended.

Student, Unwaged, Disabled and Under 18s. Proof of concession is needed when • Latecomers: Many of our shows don’t allow entry once a performance has collecting your tickets. started.

• Group offers: Buy 10 tickets and get your • Tickets purchased are non-refundable.

11th ticket free.

TICKETS AND BOX OFFICE INFORMATION

• Donations: We are a registered charity — if you’d like to support us, please donate when you book a ticket online or in person.

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 can be looked after by a member of staff. Just let us know when you book.

For more information please contact us on 0161 274 0600.

We sometimes have BSL interpreted 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

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SEASON AT A GLANCE APRIL Day

Event

Time

Page

Thu 20 Apr

The Lounge

7.00pm

4

Fri 21 Apr

The Lounge (BSL)

7.00pm

4

Fri 21 Apr

Futures Theatre: Offside

7.30pm

5

Sat 22 Apr

Futures Theatre: Offside

2.00pm

5

Sat 22 Apr

Futures Theatre: Offside

7.30pm

5

Mon 24 Apr

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8.00pm

20

Fri 28 Apr

Turn

7.30pm

6

Day

Event

Time

Page

Wed 3 May

Thick Richard: Swear School

7.30pm

8

Thu 4 May

Thick Richard: Swear School

7.30pm

8

Fri 5 May

Thick Richard: Swear School (BSL)

7.30pm

8

Sat 6 May

Thick Richard: Swear School

7.30pm

8

Thu 11 May

Works Ahead

7.30pm

7

Fri 12 May

Works Ahead

7.30pm

7

Tue 16 May

James Wilton Dance: Leviathan

8.00pm

9

Wed 17 May

James Wilton Dance: Leviathan

8.00pm

9

Wed 17 May

Mixed Movement

10.00pm

20

Mon 22 May

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8.00pm

20

Tue 23 May

Prime Cut Productions: Scorch

7.30pm

10

Wed 24 May

Prime Cut Productions: Scorch

2.00pm

10

Wed 24 May

Prime Cut Productions: Scorch

7.30pm

10

Wed 24 May

Reckless Sleepers: Schrรถdinger

8.00pm

11

Thu 25 May

Prime Cut Productions: Scorch

2.00pm

10

Thu 25 May

Prime Cut Productions: Scorch

7.30pm

10

Thu 25 May

Reckless Sleepers: Schrรถdinger

8.00pm

11

Fri 26 May

Prime Cut Productions: Scorch

7.30pm

10

Wed 31 May

We Come From Far, Far Away

2.00pm

12

Wed 31 May

We Come From Far, Far Away

7.00pm

12

MAY

30

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 JUNE Day

Event

Time

Page

Thu 1 Jun

We Come From Far, Far Away

2.00pm

12

Thu 1 Jun

We Come From Far, Far Away

7.00pm

12

Fri 2 Jun

We Come From Far, Far Away

2.00pm

12

Fri 2 Jun

We Come From Far, Far Away (BSL)

7.00pm

12

Fri 9 Jun

Young Identity: One Mic Stand

7.30pm

13

Tue 20 Jun

Peter McMaster: 27

7.30pm

14

Wed 21 Jun

Peter McMaster: 27

7.30pm

14

Mon 26 Jun

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8.00pm

20

Wed 28 Jun

Sophie Willan: Wild (Edinburgh Fringe Preview)

8.00pm

15

Thu 29 Jun

Sophie Willan: Wild (Edinburgh Fringe Preview)

8.00pm

15

Fri 30 Jun

Sophie Willan: Wild (Edinburgh Fringe Preview)

8.00pm

15

Day

Event

Time

Page

Sat 1 Jul

Sophie Willan: Wild (Edinburgh Fringe Preview)

8.00pm

15

Wed 5 Jul

Flare Festival: Grand Applause

7.30pm

16

Mon 3 – Tue 11 Jul

Manchester International Festival 2017: FlexN Residency

Daily

17

Mon 24 – Sat 29 Jul

Choreolab 2017

Daily

6

Wed 26 Jul

Contact Young Company: 15 Minutes

7.30pm

18-19

Thu 27 Jul

Contact Young Company: 15 Minutes

7.30pm

18-19

Fri 28 Jul

Contact Young Company: 15 Minutes

7.30pm

18-19

Sat 29 Jul

Contact Young Company: 15 Minutes

7.30pm

18-19

Day

Event

Time

Page

Thu 20 Apr – Sat 29 Jul

11 Million Reasons to Dance

Open daily (not Sun)

21

JULY

EXHIBITIONS

31

Find Us Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA @contactmcr /contactmcr /contactmcr /contactmcr

We are open all days featuring programmed activity as follows Monday – Friday: 10am – late Saturdays: 3pm – late

Delicious artisan street food inspired by Gujarati cuisine (vegetarian options available).

24 hour online booking

New menu available to eat-in or take-away at Contact.

contactmcr.com

Monday – Friday, 12pm – 4pm.

Box Office (See P29 for full details) 0161 274 0600 Monday – Friday: 10am – 9pm Saturdays: 3pm – 6pm

Thank you

Thank you to our funders, partners and supporters, and all of 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: James Wilton Dance: Leviathan © Steve Tanner Brochure design: markbrownstudio.co.uk