Contact Autumn 2012 & Spring 2013 Brochure

September 2012 – February 2013 contactmcr.com / 0161 274 0600

we are contact Contact is a dynamic charity based in Manchester with young people at the heart of everything we do. Our vision is a world where young people are empowered by creativity to become leaders in both the arts and their communities.

We work locally, nationally and internationally to provide life-changing opportunities; presenting and producing a diverse artistic programme in our building, surprising places, and virtual spaces. We redefine theatre for the 21st century, bringing together the best new writing, music,

a word from our artistic director BABA SAYS Creating new theatre is at the core of Contact’s mission so this year it’s been brilliant to see Maxwell Golden’s CountryBoy’s Struggle embraced by audiences from Cornwall to the Edinburgh Fringe. We’re also devoted to exploring the possibilities of technology and CountryBoy’s Struggle: Online has become a hit on the BBC & Arts Council England’s digital platform The Space (thespace.org) — but we’re not stopping there!

The show will soon embark on a new 70-date tour in partnership with the National Rural Touring Forum, supported by Arts Council England.

comedy, dance, visual arts, performance and spoken word.

You’ve probably seen our building — it’s the one that looks like a castle behind Manchester Academy on Oxford Road. We are an environmentally friendly venue where artistic experiments are explored, developed and completed. Inside you’ll find exhibitions, our café-bar Contact Lounge (with great food & FREE WiFi), and our top-of-the-range digital studio, Media Lounge.

Our passion for fresh theatre continues this season with new productions such as Fields of Grey, What Am I Worth?, Xenophobadelica, and Fink On Theatre & Contact Young Actors Company’s Runaway Shadows. All highly recommended!

Elsewhere we have the return of Forced Entertainment, Dickie Beau, and the Shakespeare Schools Festival; plus during October’s Black History Month, Contact will be transformed into a South African Township Café, complete with traditional food and drink, and stunning performances from the Afrovibes Festival.

There’s loads more on offer and plenty of ways to get involved. Discover them for yourself in this brochure or via our website contactmcr.com I look forward to welcoming you to Contact soon!

Baba Israel Artistic Director @BabaIsrael

CountryBoy’s Struggle: Online

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Baba Israel Photo by Joel Chester Fildes

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a word from our young people

introducing...

SOPHIE WILLAN Bolton performance artist Sophie Willan won Contact’s Flying Solo Commission which includes the opportunity to develop and perform her first solo show An Audience Without You at La MaMa (New York); MC (Amsterdam); and The Albany (London); before returning to Contact as part of Flying Solo Festival 2013.

Sophie has a long history with Contact having previously been part of CYAC, Future Fires, and Contacting the World; and was a founding member of Eggs Collective.

She’s since gone on to perform for a variety of high-profile events such as DUCKIE, Mother’s Ruin, Flare Festival, and Camden Comedy Club. sophiewillan.com • @sophiewillan

FABIAN CHAMBERS “I first became involved at Contact in 2009 with Freestyle Mondays and then Saturday Drop — supporting Sway during I Dream of Fela, and performing as part of the Manchester Science Festival.

“I was a Media Drop participant from the project’s first year, and have since progressed to become one of its facilitators. Media Drop is a buzzing hub of emerging talent and continues to go from strength to strength with each term.”

“Contact has given me the opportunity to progress as a person, as well as a performer”

Photo by Joel Chester Fildes

KEISHA THOMPSON “Contact became my second home when I joined the Young Identity poetry collective founded by Shirley May and Ali Gadema. Contact supported our first theatre production, The Picasso Theory, as part of their Key Partner Company programme in 2011.

“I have received an overwhelming number of opportunities to develop as an artist. Recently I was a facilitator for the national youth poetry slam, Shake The Dust; was one of the selected artists for Flying Solo Festival 2012; and I’m currently a member of Contact Playback and Contact’s Creative Experts.” @Keke_Thom

“Contact is so significant for so many young artists around the world.”

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Photo by Joel Chester Fildes

Photo by Roshana Rubin-Mayhew

“I’ve really enjoyed developing as an artist at Contact and there’s nowhere I’d rather be to make my first solo show.”

POSTGRADUATE BLUES Contact’s Incubator Company for 2012 is PostGraduate Blues — Afreena Islam, Chelsea Morgan and Kailum Carolan.

Their friendship began as part of CYAC in 2009, and they participated in Contacting the World 2010 — an experience that inspired them to create their own company, PostGraduate Blues.

“As part of our incubation, we have had the chance to learn from artists like Amy Lamé, Baba Israel, Belarus Free Theatre, Gecko Theatre and Pen-ultimate” @Post_Grad_Blues

“Contact has helped develop us both as artists and facilitators.”

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offers & social media

join in

CHEAP TICKETS!

LIKE IT! TWEET IT! SHARE IT!

FREEACT is our membership scheme for under 26s. Sign up and you’ll get one FREE ticket for every ticket purchased on selected shows.

An amazing deal!

To join, email info@contactmcr.com or come in and pick up a card.

Spread the word about Contact. Post your feedback & comments on contactmcr.com using Facebook. Tweet about shows using their #hashtag & @contactmcr. Mark your Instagram photos with #contactmcr.

Go on…we’d love to hear from you!

**NEW** LOYALTY CARD Sign up for our new Loyalty Card and get discounts on tickets and food & drink.

Pop in to find out more info.

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 knowledge on shows. * Get great offers and occasional FREE stuff. * Groups of 10 or more make great savings on shows — every 10th person comes FREE! * Help shape Contact: Tell us what your group thought about your visit.

For more info please call Edward Cox, Sales and Information Manager, on 0161 274 0610 or email edwardcox@contactmcr.com Concessions can be used in conjunction with group bookings and 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 or ID is needed.

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

@contactmcr #contactmcr /contactmcr /contactmcr /contactmcr

Young people are at the heart of everything we do. Don’t just watch, get involved!

CONTACT YOUNG ACTORS COMPANY FREE, ages 15 to 25 Auditions: Mon 17 to Wed 19 Sep & Mon 7 to Wed 9 Jan, 6pm & 7pm, FREE CYAC work with renowned directors to produce three amazing shows each year. Explore your creativity, push your abilities, and be part of one of the country’s leading young actors companies. #CYAC

MONDAY DROP

ART

SPACE 1 (max 290)

COMEDY

SPACE 2 (max 90)

Mon, 8 Oct to 26 Nov, 14 Jan to 11 Mar (not 4 Feb) 7pm to 9pm, FREE, ages 13 to 19 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

DANCE

SPACE 3 (max 100)

TECHNIQUE

EDUCATION

SPACE 5 (max 250)

FILM

CONTACT LOUNGE

FREEACT

MEDIA LOUNGE

JOIN IN

MEETING ROOM

MUSIC

BUILDING

TELEPRESENCE

ON LOCATION

EVENT KEY

SPACES

Mon, 7pm to 9pm, FREE, ages 15 to 25 8 Oct to 26 Nov, 14 Jan to 11 Mar (not 4 Feb) 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

YOUNG IDENTITY Tue, 7pm to 9pm, FREE, ages 13 to 25 4 Sep to 11 Dec, 8 Jan to 26 Feb (not 5 Feb) Write, create and perform with Manchester’s premiere young spoken word performers. youngidentity.org • #youngidentity

MEDIA DROP Wed & Thu, 6pm to 9pm, FREE, ages 13 to 21 19 Sep to 8 Nov MCs, DJs, vocalists, poets and producers!

Collaborate, build your skills, share tracks and stream material in our state-of-the-art Media Lounge. mediadrop1.blogspot.com • #mediadrop

WORKSHOPS Check out our show pages for other workshops.

Call 0161 274 0600 or visit contactmcr.com for more info.

THEATRE WORD

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Photos by Joel Chester Fildes

Contact Young Actors Company

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

regular events

Photos by Joel Chester Fildes (except Mother’s Ruin, Scriptworks)

COMEDY

FILM

THEATRE

Cake Tin Foundation presents

Manchester Literature Festival and Contact present

Scriptworks presents

MOTHER’S RUIN

READ IT, WATCH IT, TALK ABOUT IT

SCRIPTWORKS

Monthly, Fridays, over 18s 21 Sept, 26 Oct, 30 Nov, 8pm, £8/5

20 Oct, 10 Nov, 8 Dec, 19 Jan, 9 Feb, 9 Mar A film and reading group featuring screenings of adaptations of contemporary novels, followed by discussions, with exciting insights from authors, actors and directors.

Weekly, Mondays, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, FREE Over 18s 24 Sep to 5 Nov (no sessions 8 & 15 Oct) Writers! How does your work translate to the stage?

Find out as your work is read by professional actors. Actors! Get script-in-hand practice.

Info: scriptworks@heaven.co.uk scriptworks.net • #scriptworks

Funding for this project has been provided by the Clore Duffield Foundation through its Clore Poetry and Literature Awards.

VERBALLY CHALLENGED

Monthly Saturdays, 4pm. FREE, over 13s

8 Feb (Queer Contact), 7:30pm, £12/7 Sparkling new variety with Christopher Green, Eggs Collective, Lipsinkers, Sophie Willan, The Big Bingo Show & more. Hosted by Timberlina. “unique, unpredictable” HHHH What’s On Stage mothersruin.co.uk • #mothers_ruin

DANCE

age restrictions may apply to some films

Contact and DawN’s MinD presents

MIXED MOVEMENT Monthly, evenings, FREE Thu 18 Oct (Afrovibes), Sat 3 Nov, Sat 1 Dec Created and hosted by DawN Crandell.

Manchester’s ONLY open stage event for dancers, with spontaneous solos and duets to improvised music. All styles welcome. Sign up and participate or just watch. Book open-stage slots via dawndusk@me.com #mixedmovement

manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk #readwatchtalk

RADIO Contact and ALL FM present

NOISE GENERATION Last Tuesday of the month, 3pm, FREE Get the latest Manchester arts news and music from Contact’s own radio show broadcast on ALL FM 96.9. Download previous shows from contactmcr.com/noisegeneration #noisegeneration

Quarterly, Wednesdays, 7:30pm, £5 7 Nov Got something to say? Theatre showcase where we set the brief, you write the plays and it’s down to the audience who wins the cash prize.

Email elizabethtait@contactmcr.com if you’d like to get involved. #verballychallenged

WORD RAW (RHYTHM & WORDS) Monthly, Mondays, evening, FREE 15 Oct (Afrovibes, special guest Zena Edwards) 26 Nov, 28 Jan, 25 Feb An open mic for poets, vocalists, and MCs, RAW also features the Freestyle Pyramid Competition with quirky prizes. Hosted by Martin Visceral (Pen-ultimate) with DJ Jomo. #RAWMCR RAW (Rhythm & Words)

Mother’s Ruin

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Verbally Challenged

Mixed Movement

Scriptworks

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food & drink

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

art

CONTACT LOUNGE Mon to Fri: 11am until late (Food 12pm to 4pm) Sat: 3pm until late (Bar only) A special spot for eating, drinking, chatting, meeting, and general lounging. We’ve got FREE WiFi, locally sourced lunches and amazing coffee. Check out our board for daily specials and drink offers. @Contact_Lounge #contactlounge /contactlounge

Blank Media Collective

Malc Stone: Tranchester

From Tue 16 Oct, FREE

Mon 4 Feb to Fri 20 Apr, FREE

BLANK MEDIA COLLECTIVE

Malc Stone and Queer Contact present

For six years, Blank Media Collective has championed emerging artists. This Autumn, Blank Media Collective and Contact are entering into an exciting ongoing curatorial partnership. The first exhibition will be a direct response to the key themes of the Afrovibes Festival (p16-18). blankmediacollective.org @blankmedia • #blankmedia

TRANCHESTER Portraits of Manchester’s unconventional club kids featuring Zsa Zsa Noir, Dave Tester, Israel Delgado and more, from Homoelectric photographer Malc Stone. malcstone.tumblr.com @MalcStonePhoto • #tranchester

Mon 4 Feb to Fri 20 Apr, FREE Rachel Adams and Queer Contact present

THE MODERN LESBIAN Photo by Joel Chester Fildes

Mon 15 to Sat 20 Oct

A photographic representation of the stories of gay and bisexual women who have helped shape the cultural, commercial and social history of the UK. themodernlesbian.co.uk @photographer777 • #themodernlesbian

THE TOWNSHIP CAFÉ For one week only, Contact Lounge will be transformed into The Township Café, the beating heart of the Afrovibes festival (see p16-18).

The Café will serve authentic African food and drink, and be a busy hive of activity with post-show talks, impromptu events, and the chance to meet performers.

Eat, drink, hang out, and relax. afrovibes2012.co.uk • #afrovibesUK 10

Rachel Adams: The Modern Lesbian

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creative services & space hire

september

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Photo by Lani Irving

Wed 26 to Fri 28 Sep, various times/locations, FREE Rocket and Contact present

CREATIVE EXPERTS

LOS T & F O U N D

Contact’s Creative Experts provide creative business solutions to help you and your organisation work more effectively with young people. Our bespoke packages include creative workshops, motivational speaking and interactive seminars, all designed to suit your goals and needs.

F E S T I V A L 2 0 1 2

Previous business clients include the BBC, Greater Manchester Police and The British Council. We also work extensively with school and colleges.

To find out more about our consultancy and educational packages, please visit contactmcr.com/services Alternatively please email creativeservices@contactmcr.com or call 0161 274 0609. #creativeexperts

Creative Experts Photo by Joel Chester Fildes

SPACE HIRE Our Spaces are available to hire for conferences, festivals, filming, showcases, parties, meetings and everything in between!

We offer a wide range of dynamic, professional and high-quality spaces, from our 290-capacity main theatre to our meeting room for ten people. We also have video conferencing and telepresence facilities allowing you to connect digitally around the world.

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

For more information, visit our website at contactmcr.com/spacehire or contact our Hires team on 0161 274 0628 or hires@contactmcr.com

“We absolutely loved spending the day and evening at Contact. The students were made to feel so welcome by all of your staff and the technical and front of house support provided was excellent. Thank you” Salford City College 12

Lose yourself.

Find art.

Discover Manchester.

Lost & Found returns for its second year hosting FREE performances by emerging artists in unexpected locations throughout Manchester City Centre…

Get lost in a game of truth or dare; take up wildlife watching from the window of a Metrolink tram; step inside someone else’s living room; get caught up in a bridal party with a difference; and much more…

Keep your eyes peeled: Lost & Found appears when you least expect it. @lostfoundfest • #lostfoundfest Lost & Found is supported by Contact, Arts Council England, O2 Think Bigger, Manchester City Council and Metrolink.

Lost & Found is a Re:Con legacy project.

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

october Sat 6 Oct, 8pm, £8/5. All ages.

BSL interpreted & Audio Described. Plus post-show chat back.

Stumble danceCircus presents

BOX OF FROGS Stumble danceCircus brings an exhilarating blend of colourful performance, showcasing a deluge of circus skills including trick-cycling, hula hoop, rope work and acrobalance, all engulfed in a reservoir of film and driven by evocative live music.

This performance will be BSL interpreted and Audio Description is also available. If you would like to experience a Touch Tour prior to the performance please indicate by calling our Box Office on 0161 274 0600.

“Fantastic and scarily accurate.”

Previews: Wed 3 to Sat 6 Oct, 7:30pm, £5 Tue 9 to Sat 13 Oct, 7:30pm, £8/5. Over 14s.

Post-show chat-back Thu 4 Oct

Bipolar UK

AN AMERICAN SOLDIER. A BRITISH MUSLIM MUJAHID. TWO MEN ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF A WAR...

Contact and Avaes Mohammad present

stumbledancecircus.com @stumbledc • #bofcircus Box of Frogs has been commissioned by the Unlimited programme, part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad.

Locked in a room together, amidst an assembly of watchers, they’re forced to face their actions as all that was once black and white turns increasingly grey.

Written by and starring New York-based actor and MC Mtume Gant (HBO’s Oz) and award-winning British poet, playwright and performer Avaes Mohammad, Fields of Grey is a bold and powerful new play that combines hard-hitting text with multimedia to create a unique immersive experience.

Developed with the support of Contact Written by Avaes Mohammad and Mtume Gant Directed by Baba Israel Sound design by Jason Singh Visual design by AlbinoMosquito

#fieldsofgrey Tue 9 & Thu 11 Oct, 4pm to 6pm, FREE with a show ticket

WORKSHOP 14

Photo by Joel Chester Fildes

Box of Frogs is produced by XTRAX and supported by Jacksons Lane.

Illustration by Keeler/Tornero

Wed 10 Oct, 8pm, £10/6. Over 12s.

Manchester Literature Festival and Tilt in association with Contact present

AMIRI BARAKA Supported by Young Identity’s Inna Voice & Sanctum ensembles Amiri Baraka is a leading figure in the evolution of spoken word, who has influenced politics, artistic practice and cultural change on an international scale. He will be reading from his rich collection of work and talking with Dr Corinne Fowler about his career and influences. ontilt.org • manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk • @McrLitFest • #McrLitFest.

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

october

Thirst Photo by Ruphin Coudyzer FPPSA

Inception

Mon 15 to Sat 20 Oct, various times/prices UK Arts International in association with Afrovibes Netherlands presents

AFROVIBES

F E S T I VA L 2 0 1 2 Challenging, stimulating, thought-provoking: a festival of contemporary theatre, dance, spoken word and music from South Africa and beyond.

Thu 18 Oct, 8pm, £8/5. Over 7s.

THIRST Written and directed by James Ngcobo Choreography by Gregory Maqoma

Drawing on Nguni mythology, Thirst depicts the fortunes and misfortunes of three water carriers from a village that is desperate for water. A stunning production enriched by dance, song, and African storytelling.

Experience stunning performances onstage or hang out in the Township Café (see p.10), with African food and drink plus a host of festival fringe events. Afrovibes is more than just a show — it’s an experience!

And The Girls in Their Sunday Dresses

Tue 16 Oct, 8pm, £10/6. Over 11s.

Plus post-show chat back

Wed 17 & Thu 18 Oct, 7:30pm, £8/5. Over 11s.

Post-show chat back (Wed 17)

Sonia Radebe and Qudus Onikeku present

The Market Theatre Johannesburg in association with Tick Tock Productions present

INCEPTION/ MY EXILE IS IN MY HEAD A dance double-bill with a blistering soundtrack — Inception is an intense physical solo examining the female artist’s psyche, while My Exile Is In My Head explores solitude and exile, combining traditional and contemporary dance, Hip Hop, Tai Chi, Capoeira, and acrobatics.

Mother to Mother

FreeVoice Productions presents

AND THE GIRLS IN THEIR SUNDAY DRESSES

MOTHER TO MOTHER

Starring Lesego Motsepe and Hlengiwe Lushaba Directed by Princess Mhlongo

Based on the novel written by Sindiwe Magona Performed by Thembi Mtshali-Jones Directed by Janice Honeyman

The story of two women who meet during a long wait in a queue to buy cheap rice, exchanging life-stories and heartbreaks, And The Girls… finely balances drama and comedy, with stand-out performances from two of South Africa’s most acclaimed comediennes.

HHHH The Public Reviews

afrovibes2012.co.uk • @afrovibesUK • #afrovibesUK 16

Fri 19 Oct, 7:30pm, £8/5 Over 14s.

Plus post-show chat back

The tale of two mothers bound together by the senseless act of murder in a Cape Town township, Mother to Mother delivers a tour-de-force solo performance from actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones.

My Exile is in my Head

The Public Reviews 17

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

october Sibikwa African Indigenous Orchestra. Photo by Ruphin Coudyzer FPPSA

Wed 24 & Thu 25 Oct, 8pm, £10/6. Over 14s.

Pre-show performance, 6:30pm (Wed 24) Post-show chat back (Wed 24 & Thu 25) BSL interpretation (Thu 25) ThickSkin presents

THE STATIC

By Davey Anderson. Directed & Choreographed by Neil Bettles.

‘Most people’s thoughts stay inside their head.

Not mine. My thoughts travel. My thoughts do things.

Don’t believe me? Just watch.’

Meet Sparky, a bright but volatile 15-year-old boy, who is written off at school as a disruptive influence and a lost cause, but when he falls in love with a strange girl called Siouxsie he discovers a newfound superpower...

Scottish Fringe Theatre Award Winner 2012 “Really, really, amazing.” HHHHH Three Weeks

Sat 20 Oct, 8pm, £10/6. Over 13s. After-party, 10pm, FREE. Over 18s only after midnight.

Contact and BPM in association with Afrovibes present

THE BLACK SOUND SERIES A special one-off performance celebrating Black music & culture as part of Black History Month. Featuring Elizabeth Troy, Kaleidoscope Orchestra & more alongside Sibikwa African Indigenous Orchestra.

Programmed by Manchester’s Bass music collective BPM (Phaze One – Madam X – Darka – T.dot).

Kaleidoscope

BPM

“Dramatic, dynamic and suspenseful to the last” HHHHH The Public Reviews

Developed in association with The Core at Corby Cube, in partnership with Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland and with support from National Theatre of Scotland and The Arches. Part of Made in Scotland 2012.

Elizabeth Troy

thickskintheatre.co.uk @ThickSkinTwit • #TheStatic Thu 25 Oct, 2pm to 4pm & 5pm to 7pm Free with a show ticket

PHYSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP Sat 27 Oct, 8pm, £10/6. Over 14s.

Pre-show open cypher from 7pm.

Mon 15 to Sat 20 Oct, various times, FREE

Rationale Productions presents

Contact presents

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THE AFROVIBES FRINGE

IN MY SHOES

Workshops, performances, discussions, and more to complement the main Afrovibes events featuring RAW, Mixed Movement, Zena Edwards, and Contact’s festival micro-commissions with an array of local artists.

Check out contactmcr.com/afrovibes for full info.

In a desperate bid to overcome their problems, five very different people attend an extreme ‘Hip Hop therapy’ session. Expect high energy, lots of laughter, gravity-defying b-boying, slick popping, and a ton of Hip Hop moves that will blow you away! rationale.org.uk • @RationaleP • #RPInMyShoes Zena Edwards

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

october / november Photo by Roshana Rubin-Mayhew

Photo byJoel Chester Fildes

Sat 3 Nov, 6:30pm, £5/3. Over 14s.

Léonie Higgins presents

I MAY NOT BE WHERE I INTENDED TO GO New work-in-progress exploring identity, uncertainty, the false gods of X Factor and ambition, and what happens when you accidentally audition for a girl band.

“extremely talented singer and storyteller” EdFringe Reviews Wed 31 Oct to Fri 2 Nov, 7:30pm. £5.

Over 15s. Post-show chat back on Thu 1 Nov

leoniekate.com • @leoniekate • #imaynotbewhere Supported by Contact. A Flying Solo legacy project.

Contact and Manchester Science Festival present

W H AT A M I

WORTH?

Sat 3 Nov, 8pm, £5/3. Over 13s.

Young Identity presents

ONE MIC STAND

WRITTEN BY AND STARRING DR. TUHEEN HUDA DIRECTED BY MONTSERRAT GILI

A boisterous night of word, music and visual art with two open slams — for ages 13-17, and 18+.

See contactmcr.com for how to apply.

Are you truly more than the sum of your parts? Transplanted or otherwise...

Ever felt like a million dollars? Your black market price is $45,000,000. Organ recipients would say more. Does race influence transplant survival?

What price is fair?

Part of Manchester Science Festival 2012.

manchestersciencefestival.com • whatamiworth.org.uk • @whatworth • #whatworth

Wed 31 Oct & Thu 1 Nov, 7pm, £10 (food not included). Over 14s.

Yellow Earth Theatre presents

DIM SUM NIGHTS Treat yourself to some tasty new theatre…

Fresh bite-sized pieces of theatre from talented British East Asian writers served up at Gordon Ramsay’s Best Local Chinese Restaurant in the UK, Sweet Mandarin, Northern Quarter, Manchester.

Supported by Arts Council England.

yellowearth.org • @yellowearthUK • #dimsumnights 20

youngidentity.org • @YoungIDmcr • #onemicstand

The Mad Hatter of Medicine tackles this and more.

Join us on a heart-warming journey through transplant medicine, guided by your very own doctor.

Mon 5 to Sat 10 Nov, 7pm, £8/6. All ages.

SHAKESPEARE S C H O O L S F E S T I VA L Presented in association with the National Theatre The largest youth drama festival in the UK returns to Contact, working with local schools to stage four youthful half-hour productions of different Shakespeare plays each night.

“What a fantastic organisation...it was truly inspiring to see local children engaging with Shakespeare and clearly benefiting from the experience” Participant’s parent, 2011

ssf.uk.com • #ssf_2012 • @ssf_2012 21

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

november Wed 14 to Fri 16 Nov, 8pm, £12/7. Over 16s. Post-show chat back on Thu 15.

FO RC E D E N T E RTA I N M E N T

THE COMING STORM International innovators Forced Entertainment tangle and cross-cut multiple stories to make a comical, contradictory and poignant performance.

From love and death to sex and laundry, from shipwrecks to falling snow, personal anecdotes rub shoulders with imaginary movies, and halfremembered novels bump into distorted fairy tales. Six performers create, collaborate, ambush and disrupt this epic saga that is resolutely too big for the stage.

Under the artistic direction of Tim Etchells, The Coming Storm is Forced Entertainment at its best – trademark black humour, a collage of arresting images and an anarchic performance style.

Thu 15 to Sat 17 Nov, 7:30pm, £10/6.

Over 14s. Post-show chat back on Fri 16

forcedentertainment.com @ForcedEnts • #thecomingstorm

T I M

The Coming Storm is co-produced by PACT Zollverein, Essen; Festival Avignon; Theaterhaus Gessneralle, Zurich; Tanzquartier, Vienna; Les Spectacles Vivants - Centre Pompidou, Paris; Festival d’Automne à Paris; LIFT, London; Battersea Arts Centre, London; Sheffield City Council.

HHHH

“I could watch these performers for hours”

P R ESEN TS

DICKIE B E A U

Forced Entertainment is regularly funded by Arts Council England.

“A powerful and important piece of theatre”

WH I T EH EA D

What’s On Stage

B L A C K O U T S TWILIGHT OF THE IDOLS

The Guardian

After wowing Manchester audiences as part of Eat Your Heart Out and Mother’s Ruin, drag fabulist Dickie Beau returns to shape-shift through a soundscape of lost souls, in this solo theatrical trip to an underworld of icons in exile.

An adventure in found sound, Blackouts brings to life extraordinary audio artifacts to tell the story of the dark sides of stars — including Judy Garland and Marilyn Monroe — estranged not only from society, but also from themselves.... dickiebeau.com • @dickiebeau • #DBBlackouts

“Touching, bizarre and visually gorgeous… a thing unlike any other… it is the drag show at the

end of the world” Image by Joao Braz

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Photo by Hugo Glendinning

Time Out

“Sublime, funny, moving, tragic and darkly poignant.” Attitude Photo by Darrell Berry

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

november Photo by Joel Chester Fildes, treatment by Alexander 6.

Illustration by James Allen

Thu 29 Nov, 8pm, £10/6. All ages.

Plus post-show chat back BAC Take Out presents

Preview: Thu 22 Nov, 7:30pm, £5 Fri 23 & Sat 24 Nov, 7:30pm, £8/5 Over 14s. Post-show chat back on Thu 22

THE

Contact and DawN’s MinD presents

XENOPHOBADELICA Written by and starring DawN Crandell. Developed with the support of Bryony Kimmings. Directed by Rachel Brogan

Not Black enough, Queer enough, sweet enough, sexy enough... all mixed up?

What happens when you find hypocrisy in the heart of your community?

DawN Crandell mixes poetry, movement, storytelling, burlesque, audience participation and a life-long love of Prince, to sculpt a show that’s tons of fun…examining where you are, and where you ought to be…

A Queer Contact Commission. @DawnsMind • #xenophobadelica

“Great charisma, impeccable comic timing & a tangible vulnerability” What’s On Stage

“Chaotic and hilarious” The Public Reviews

Fri 23 Nov, 1pm to 4pm, FREE with a show ticket

SO YOU WANT TO MAKE A POLITICAL PIECE? WORKSHOP Led by DawN Crandell

PAPER CINEMA’S ODYSSEY Raging storms and supernatural forces prevail over one man’s almighty quest to get home. Immerse yourself in a journey through the high seas, soak up the adventure and encounter danger and exhilaration.

Fresh from Latitude, Homer’s cornerstone of literature is vividly told with beautiful illustration and masterful puppetry. Cinematic projection and cunning tricks transform a suitcase full of cut-out paper puppets into an array of living characters and striking landscapes. A silent film is created before your eyes, set to a captivating live score from exceptional musicians.

“An epic, imaginative voyage” HHHH Time Out “A wild journey into live animation” The Guardian A Paper Cinema and BAC co-production.

Co-Commissioned by Parabola Arts Centre.

thepapercinema.com @thepapercinema • #theodyssey

Fri 23 Nov, 9:30pm, £5. Over 12s.

Contact, CultureHub and Global Bass/Sur Soul present

Sat 1 Dec, 3pm, FREE. Over 14s.

AV MEDITATIONS MEETS GLOBAL BASS/SUR SOUL

LARKIN’ ABOUT AT CONTACT

Cutting edge transnational sounds as musicians and visual artists jam across continents live from Manchester and New York.

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Reinventing Manchester’s playtime, Larkin’ About invite you to join in their games. Come and play! larkin-about.co.uk • @larkinmcr • #larkinmcr 25

december

december / january

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Image by Jason Crouch

Sat 1 Dec, 7pm, FREE. All ages.

Contact and the Royal Shakespeare Company present

RSC OPEN STAGES: COLLABORATIVE PROJECT Following the success of the RSC Open Stages Shakespeare Festival in May, the next part of the project will see a new company formed, with amateur performers selected to work alongside Eggs Collective to devise a fresh and exciting Shakespearean influenced work-in-progress.

Who will be chosen? Find out at contactmcr.com/rscopenstages rsc.org.uk • eggscollective.com • @TheRSC • @EggsCollective • #RSCopenstages

Thu 13 to Sat 15 Dec, 7:30pm, £10/6. Over 14s.

Post-show chat back on Thu 13 BSL interpretation (Fri 14) Contact Young Actors Company and Fink On Theatre present

R U N A W AY

SHADOWS

DIRECTED BY NICK CLARKE

A hard-hitting, touching and magical tale set against the backdrop of Manchester’s young homeless community…

Sat 1 Dec, 8pm, FREE. Over 12s.

Contact and The Space present

COUNTRYBOY’S STRUGGLE: ONLINE Written by and starring Maxwell Golden. Directed by Baba Israel and Richard Ramchurn

A chance to see Contact and AlbinoMosquito’s amazing animated adaptation of CountryBoy’s Struggle on the big screen for the first time.

Originally developed in episode form for The Space - Arts Council England and the BBC’s digital platform.

thespace.org • maxwellgolden.com • @CBScontactmcr • #countryboysstruggle

It is three days until Christmas and the coldest time of the year. Jack Frost is at the top of his game, making toes tingle and causing finger-nipping mischief. When he’s discovered and confronted, he goes one step further, freezing shadows, and separating them from their owners…

It’s difficult enough to hold on to your identity when you have no home, no family or friends, but when you find you have no shadow isn’t it time to stand up and take action? This year, maybe, just maybe, Christmas could be something worth celebrating after all... finkon.co.uk • @finkontheatre • #runawayshadows • #CYAC

Fri 7 Dec, 2:30pm & 7:30pm, £5. Over 14s.

Contact Playback & Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust present

Fri 25 Jan, times tbc, FREE

NHS YOUNG FATHERS PROJECT

OPEN CONTACT

Written by Martin Stannage and Tony Sheppard

We throw our doors wide open to local schools and community groups from across Greater Manchester for a day of free workshops, performances, and building tours. If you would like to book in your school or group please contact Abbie Willcox at abbiewillcox@contactmcr.com #opencontact

Two new short plays exploring themes surrounding young fathers and the issues they face in society today, developed from workshops led by Contact Playback. Be part of the audience and share your story.

‘great improvisors, adept at physical comedy and quick thinking’ HHHH 26

The Public Reviews (about Contact Playback) The Public Reviews (on Contact Playback)

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

february Mon 4 to Sat 9 Feb, various times/prices

Q U E E RCO N TACT 20 1 3 Mon 4 Feb, 7:30pm, £8/5. Over 16s.

COMEDY PLAYGROUND Jonathan Mayor hosts a special edition of Contact’s infamous comedy lab with Paul Sinha, Debra-Jane Appleby, Tom Allen, and Heena Patel. #comedyplayground

Dean Atta

Thu 7 Feb, 7pm, £5. Over 12s.

Sat 9 Feb, 4pm & 5:30pm, £5/3. Over 14s.

Led by Dean Atta and Dominic Berry

Art with Heart and Lesbian & Gay Youth North West present

Jez Dolan and Joseph Richardson present

Wed 6 Feb, 8pm, £8/5. Over 12s.

THE SECRET DIARIES OF A TEENAGE QUEER

THE POLARI MISSION

Contact, CultureHub and DawN’s MinD present

Contact & Apples and Snakes present

Curated by DawN Crandell Improvised solos and duets, alongside new danceworks from North West talent. PLUS a very special Vogue exhibition battle between Darren Suarez in Manchester and Javier Ninja in New York. @culturehubnyc • #houseofcontact

Work-in-progress coming out story. Laugh, love and relive your youth with this beautiful and heart-breaking look at life through teenage eyes. @artwith_heart • #secretdiaries Thu 7 Feb, 9pm. £5. Over 14s.

Work-in-progress double-bill from Debs Gatenby & Cheryl Martin — mothers & daughters, coming out in your 40s, and the menopause... #shortcutsMCR

MOTHER’S RUIN THEATRICAL SPECTACULAR Mother pulls out all the stops with new variety from the UK and USA. Hosted by Timberlina.

“Fun night out” The Public Reviews mothersruin.co.uk @mothers_ruin • #mothers_ruin

Javier Ninja

Sat 9 Feb, 8pm, £12/7. Over 14s.

Tim Whitehead presents

BOURGEOIS & MAURICE: WE STARTED A BAND Twisting modern life into some of the catchiest, most peculiar pop songs you’ll hear, Bourgeois & Maurice bring the house down with their acclaimed four-piece band show.

‘The coolest kids in cabaret’ HHHHH Gay Times ‘Talented to within an inch of their lives’

Cake Tin Foundation and CultureHub present

Bourgeois & Maurice

Class is in session as artists Jez Dolan and Joseph Richardson invite you to attend a lesson in the language of Polari…who’ll be teacher’s pet? polarimission.com @PolariMission • #PolariMission

Supported by Arts Council England.

SHORTCUTS

Fri 8 Feb, 7:30pm, £12/7. Over 18s.

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The Secret Diaries of a Teenage Queer

OUTSPOKEN WORKSHOP

THE HOUSE OF CONTACT

Dominic Berry hosts our alternative slam event, with special guests Dean Atta, Anna Freeman, Keith Jarrett and Jasmine Cooray.

Poets! Email outspoken@contactmcr.com for a slam slot & the chance to win £50. #outspokenMCR

Heena Patel

Contact celebrates LGBT History Month 2013 with the best in theatre, variety, art, music, dance, and spoken word. #queercontact • lgbthistorymonth.org.uk

Tue 5 Feb, 1pm to 3pm, FREE with Outspoken show ticket

Tue 5 Feb, 7:30pm, £5/3. Over 14s.

OUTSPOKEN

Timberlina

Debra-Jane Appleby

HHHH Time Out

bourgeoisandmaurice.co.uk @bourgmaurice • #westartedaband

Darren Suarez

Paul Sinha

Jasmine Cooray

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

february

visit

Wed 13 to Fri 15 Feb, 8pm. £12/7. Over 15s.

Post-show chat back on Thu 14

ACCESS

Volcano Theatre presents

This guide is available in large print upon request.

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE B Y A N T H O N Y B U R G E S S “Viciously sharp.

Bleak yet funny, horrific and uncomfortably attractive.”

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.

HHHH The Guardian

Guide dogs can stay with you or be looked after by a member of staff. Just let us know when you book.

Hearing Aid Infrared System Receivers can be booked with your ticket.

We also have BSL interpreted & Audio described performances — check out individual events for details.

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

GETTING HERE RNCM

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

TIO STA

PHYSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP

MANCHESTER UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION

Cars: while Contact doesn’t have a car park, there is one next door that is open to the public from 4pm on weekdays and all day at weekends. It only costs £2 to park.

Please allow plenty of time to park as it can get busy, especially on weekends.

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MANCHESTER MUSEUM

CECIL ST

Thu 14 Feb, 1pm to 3pm, FREE with a show ticket

H OT BO

D OA DR

Five horrorshow actors tackle Burgess’s inventive, disturbing little masterpiece with choreographic skill and linguistic exuberance.

Beautifully designed, with extraordinary performances, Volcano’s production stays true to the original both in its cut-throat inventiveness and in its insistence on the question of whether it is better to be forced to be good or to be free to do evil.

What’s it going to be then, eh? volcanotheatre.co.uk @Volcano229 • #clockworkorange

Buses: run down Oxford Road every few minutes from the town centre, train stations and South Manchester (Rusholme direction). They stop just across the road.

R FO OX

Check out the map to see our local area.

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WHERE WE’RE AT 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

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.

Design: markbrownstudio.co.uk