I am honoured to be Contact’s new ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/CHIEF EXECUTIVE and I’m excited to begin this journey in our 10th anniversary season. I look forward to celebrating with you as we welcome back some old friends and introduce you to some new ones…
24hr booking at www.contact-theatre.org Bookings & Information closes at 6:00pm when there are no performances.
CONTACT LOUNGE
10:00am to 11:00pm 12:00pm until late
CONTACT IS SUPPORTED BY:
First up in the celebrations, I will be joining PLAYBACK NYC and young artists from Contact over the years, to playback stories and memories of our last decade. This will be special – don’t miss it!
FIND US Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA
BOOKINGS AND INFO:
0161 274 0600 www.contact-theatre.org
CONTACT YOUNG TECH TEAM: JESSICA PENNY
Registered Charity Number 501953
0161 274 0600 WWW.CONTACT-THEATRE.ORG
Jessica first joined Contact as a Host in 2003 and is now a Duty Manager. In 2006, she took part in Contact’s international theatre exchange, Contacting The World, and joined Contact Young Tech Team in 2008:
All information correct at time of going to print. Check website for up to the minute info.
SEPT OCT NOV DEC09
I’ve experienced things and been introduced to people I would never have met and although I can’t imagine leaving Contact, when my time comes I can proudly say that I‘m a Contact graduate.”
Design by REFORM Creative. Cover Illustration by Neequaye Dreph, www.dreph.com
Photo by Stuart Condy
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the devil has quentin’s heart Contact’s first partner company for our 10th anniversary year is Pen-ultimate, a new spoken word and hip hop theatre collective comprised of five highly skilled poets, MCs and actors: Ali Gadema, Ben Mellor, Martin Stannage, Niven Ganner and Samira Arhin-Acquah.
For eating, drinking, chatting and general lounging, enjoy late breakfasts, chilled lunches or evening drinks with interesting beers and special coffee. Our food is fresh, tasty and full of good stuff. Check www.contact-theatre.org for parties, DJs and special events.
Picture credit: Jessica in rehearsals for Medea, June 2009.
CONTACT LOUNGE
I look forward to seeing you here…come help us blow out the candles!
SEAN CERNOW and MARCUS HERCULES had their first taste of performing at Contact in 2000 and both return this season. Sean presents a new site-specific show, BEING SEBASTIAN and Marcus joins his family for MAKE-BELIEVE, the brand-new show from QUARANTINE. Hip hop theatre director/performer BENJI REID’s long association with us continues with his new show THE DEVIL HAS QUENTIN’S HEART; while we present the first solo outing of ALI GADEMA
Baba Israel Artistic Director/Chief Executive
CONTACT IN PROFILE
Mon to Fri Sat
“ CYTT has opened so many doors - and with support from Contact, I now have the confidence to go through them. I’ve since been Assistant Stage Manager and Stage Manager on a few productions and I’m looking forward to learning more.
If you have any other access requirements please call or text the Duty Manager on 07970 094 069, who will be happy to help.
10:00am to 7:00pm 12:00pm to 7:00pm
The group began working together after coming up through Contact projects such as CYAC, and other Manchester institutions such as Benji Reid’s Process. As individual artists and members of other groups, Pen-ultimate have performed their work in theatres, clubs, prisons, schools, colleges and festivals nationally and internationally.
You can book Hearing Aid Infrared System Receivers with your ticket at Box Office. Please see individual events for details of BSL interpreted or audio described performances.
Mon to Fri Sat
...and don’t miss AIR resident artists KATE BRADNAM and CAROLINE P CHURCHILL as they explore the sights and sounds of the building in ARCHITECTURE: THEATRE and UNTAPPED FREQUENCIES.
Our work with young people is at the heart of everything we do. Over the last 10 years we’ve nurtured, developed and provided opportunities to hundreds. Here are just a few:
Guide dogs can stay with you in the auditorium or be looked after by a member of staff. Please let us know when booking.
BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION
Picture credit: Nathaniel in Something of Nothing, April 2009 – photo by Tunji Oyewobi.
We have a flat foyer entrance with ground floor access to our main space and Contact Lounge, and lift access to our other spaces. We also have accessible toilet facilities on all floors.
10:00am to 11:00pm 12:00pm to 11:00pm
Photo by Irven Lewis
This guide is available in large print.
Come as a group – book 10 tickets and get one of them free. Our lowest standard ticket prices are concessions: for anyone under 18, with a disability, unemployed, full-time students or pensioners. A limited number of FREE tickets are available for young people under 26 registered to our FREEACT scheme (along with other discounts and special offers). See www.freeact.co.uk for more details.
Mon to Fri Sat
CONTACT YOUNG actors Company: Nathaniel Hall
SAVE MONEY
CONTACT
AKA FRISKO DAN, a graduate of CONTACT YOUNG ACTORS COMPANY, with CONTRADICTIONS; and KEITH SAHA, who appeared in Contact’s very first production, WISE GUYS, is back with 20 STORIES HIGH and their new show BLACKBERRY TROUT FACE.
Nathaniel is from South Manchester and is in his second term with Contact Young Actors Company:
Mailing list: get the latest brochure direct to you; email salesassistants@contact-theatre.org
OPENING TIMES
Image by Andrew Tunney
ACCESS FOR DISABLED PEOPLE
Virtual Contact: book tickets, sign up for regular e-bulletins, watch video and more at www.contact-theatre.org. Follow us on TWITTER, FACEBOOK, MYSPACE, FLICKR and YOUTUBE. Search: CONTACTMCR
In October 1999, a reinvigorated CONTACT opened its doors with a new building and a new vision that placed young people firmly at the heart of everything it did. When I first came here from New York in 2005, I found a welcoming and diverse place full of creative possibility. Now ten years after its rebirth, artistic energy continues to flow throughout our building and into the local community as young artists from the region and touring companies from across the globe come together to learn, grow and create art.
blackberry trout face
We’re in the heart of one of the most vibrant and popular areas of Manchester, with excellent transport links. Regular buses leave from the City Centre and Piccadilly & Oxford Road train stations to just across the road. The closest car park, next door, is open to the public from 4:00pm on weekdays and all day at weekends. It costs £2 (you will need two £1 coins).
WE ARE 10!
knowledge of theatre and its uses, as well as make new friends. I’m fanatical about great performance and art, human rights and injustices... combine the two and you have my ultimate passion!”
JOIN US
WHERE IT’S AT...
“After graduating I was looking to work and network with artists and companies who pushed the boundaries of theatre CYAC seemed like the right place! I want to learn new lessons, techniques and
Getting here Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA
THIS IS CONTACT...
Photo by Gavin Parry
BOOKINGS AND INFO: 0161 274 0600 WWW.CONTACT-THEATRE.ORG
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INFORMATION
Picture credit: A Night on the Tiles work-in-progress, Spring 2009. Photos by Mauro Camal.
“ We are all very excited to be one of Contact’s key partner companies – to have that level of recognition for our work and support for our first full-length touring show is fantastic.” Now they are set to follow up their early success with their first full–length theatre piece, A Night on the Tiles, premiering at Contact in Spring 2010 prior to a national tour.
Contact Partner Company: Pen-ultimate
Since then they have continued to be involved in some way. Last year saw the culmination of Keith’s Live and Direct Traineeship with the co-production of Babul and the Blue Bear. Co-Artistic Directors Keith Saha and Julia Samuels from 20 Stories High have had a long and fruitful relationship with us. Keith appeared as an actor in our first production Wise Guys, and Julia was involved in the first ever Contacting the World, when she worked at Theatre Royal Stratford East.
Picture credit: Babul and the Blue Bear, Autumn 2008, photograph by Robert Day.
“ We are excited to be one of Contact’s key partner companies in its 10th anniversary year and delighted to continue our work with an organisation that promotes, encourages and inspires experimentation and forward thinking.”
Contact Partner Company: 20 Stories High
Image too small ALEX PHOTO