Contact I What's On I Sep-Dec 2016

W H AT ’S ON | SEP – DEC 2 016

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:

DO IT FOR REAL Peter Kershaw Trust

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.

2

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

WELCOME

SEP – DEC 2016 AT CONTACT

Matt Fenton © Joel Chester Fildes

This season we present a thrilling and diverse programme of outstanding home-grown and international shows. Selected by our staff and our young programming team, there’s theatre, dance, comedy, spoken word and spectacle for all ages.

Autumn begins with comical Shakespearean carnage in Spymonkey’s The Complete Deaths, we welcome the ever-essential Belarus Free Theatre with Pussy Riot in the politically charged Burning Doors, followed by the award-winning Key Change in a hardhitting drama devised by women prisoners. If you like dance, you won’t be disappointed: the remarkable Candoco present a double-bill of iconic and evocative work, while Gary Clarke Company bring their universally acclaimed COAL. We have a number of events for younger audiences, from our family open day, Fun Palaces, to the magical and acrobatic Bedtime Stories. The season culminates in an interactive festive adventure, created with theatre innovators Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas.

There’s so much to recommend, please explore the brochure, check our website, or come in and see us — our team are always happy to help!

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 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 – 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: emmawigley@contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0657.

3

OCT © Fun Palaces

Sat 1 Oct, 11am – 5pm. Free. All ages.

FUN PALACES

Fun for families

Join us as we take part in the annual national celebration of culture for everyone — Fun Palaces!

Whatever your age, we’ll have a whole host of activities on offer throughout the day, from pop-up performances to workshops. And what’s more, it’s all free — so come and join in!

For more details of what’s in store for Fun Palaces please visit: contactmcr.com/funpalaces The Fun Palaces Campaign is a not-for-profit Unincorporated Association, hosted by The Albany, Deptford.

Supported by the British Science Association and Arts Council England.

| funpalaces.co.uk | #FunPalaces

4

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© John Hunter for RULER

Tue 4 & Wed 5 Oct, 7.30pm. £15 / £10 conc. Over 12s.

Post-show talk on 4 Oct.

SPYMONKEY: THE COMPLETE DEATHS Directed and adapted by Tim Crouch.

BSL

performance Wed 5 Oct,

7.30pm There are 75 onstage deaths in the works of William Shakespeare: from the carnage at the end of Hamlet to snakes in a basket in Antony & Cleopatra. Spymonkey will perform them all — sometimes lingeringly, sometimes messily, sometimes movingly, sometimes musically, always hysterically.

The Complete Deaths is a solemn, sombre and sublimely funny tribute to the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

‘Deathly fun’ ★★★★★ A Younger Theatre ‘Poignant and hilarious — a fabulous bloodbath’ ★★★★ The Observer ‘Daft, ingenious and ultimately deeply thoughtful’ ★★★★ Financial Times A Spymonkey co-production with Brighton Festival and Royal & Derngate Northampton.

| spymonkey.co.uk I #TheCompleteDeaths

5

OCT Design Š Si Hands

Thu 6 – Sat 8 Oct, various times/prices. Over 15s.

BLACK GOLD ARTS FESTIVAL 2016 A celebration of northern black performance that aims to change the face of theatre.

Bringing together established and emerging black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) artists from dance, theatre, and live and performance art, with new work, critically acclaimed pieces, and some stuff just for fun. A new force, led by artists, working for artists.

For more information please contact: blackgoldarts@gmail.com Supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Supported by STUN, Commonword, Contact and Divergency.

| bgafestival.com I #BGAF2016

6

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

MANCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2016 The best in contemporary writing from across the world. manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk © Benji Reid

Sat 8 Oct, 7pm. £13 / £7 conc. Over 15s.

CONTACT AND CULTUREWORD PRESENT

THE 8TH BLACK AND ASIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE: LEMN SISSAY Lemn Sissay MBE is the author of several books of poetry alongside articles, records, public art and plays. His Landmark Poems are installed throughout Manchester and London, in venues such as The Royal Festival Hall and The Olympic Park.

The current Chancellor of The University of Manchester, and a long-time friend of Contact, we are proud to welcome him back to close The 8th Black and Asian Writers Conference, as part of this year’s Manchester Literature Festival. | lemnsissay.com I cultureword.org.uk/BAWC16 I #BAWC16

CURTAIN-RAISER

POST-SHOW OPEN MIC

A series of short monologues around the themes of family and adoption will open the show, before Lemn Sissay’s performance.

Join us at the after-party for music and an open mic stage.

Presented by Cultureword and Black Gold Arts Festival.

7

OCT © Nigina Beroeva

Mon 10 – Wed 12 Oct, 7.30pm. £15 / £10 conc. Over 16s (contains full nudity).

CONTACT AND ARTREACH PRESENT

BELARUS FREE THEATRE: BURNING DOORS Part of Journeys Festival International 2016.

Blending sensuous theatricality and vigorous physicality, Belarus Free Theatre combine forces with Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina to share stories of persecuted artists, living under dictatorship, who will not be silenced. Drawn from the real-life stories of iconoclastic Russian performance artist Petr Pavlensky, incarcerated Ukrainian filmmaker Oleg Sentsov and Maria Alyokhina.

‘One of the bravest and most inspired underground troupes on the planet’ New York Times ‘This was all-or-nothing theatre, love me or kill me.’ Huffington Post Funded by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Developed at Falmouth University’s Academy of Music and Theatre Arts (AMATA).

| belarusfreetheatre.com I journeysfestival.com I #BurningDoors I #journeysfest

POST-SHOW TALKS Each performance is followed by a post-show talk (up to one hour) with the artists and special guests. Join in, reflecting on the issues explored in the play and what we can do to take action.

8

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Fri 14 & Sat 15 Oct, 8pm. £25 / £15 conc. Over 15s.

PEACHES CHRIST AND JINKX MONSOON: RETURN TO GREY GARDENS UK Premiere.

A theatrical comedy spoof that pays homage to the acclaimed documentary film Grey Gardens (1975).

The beloved cult documentary by the Maysles Brothers captured the eccentric lives of mother and daughter former society doyennes, now fallen on hard times. The live show is set forty years into the future and documents the routine of an ageing drag mother and her bitter drag daughter who continue to perform for an empty house.

Starring Jinkx Monsoon as Lil' Jinkxy and Peaches Christ as Big Peachy, with Cheddar Gorgeous, Anna Phylactic and the Ultra Violets, plus further guest stars to be announced.

Produced by Bren O’Callaghan.

| peacheschrist.com I jinkxmonsoon.com

9

OCT Fri 21 Oct (schools event), various times, £2 per pupil.

Sat 22 Oct, various times. Free.

Over 12s.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE AND CONTACT PRESENT

WHY? WHAT’S HAPPENING FOR THE YOUNG FESTIVAL

Contact and Southbank Centre join forces to present the third edition of Why? What's Happening for the Young.

Inspired by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the festival is happening in both Manchester and London.

Join us for talks, debates, performances, participatory events and workshops examining the rights of young people today, and meet inspiring young people, policy makers and social activists.

WHY? Festival was founded by Jude Kelly, Artistic Director of Southbank Centre, London in partnership with Mishcon de Reya.

| #WHYFEST

© Ian Bobb

Sat 22 Oct, 7.30pm. £11 / £6 conc. Over 12s.

YOUNG IDENTITY: STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS

Part of Manchester Literature Festival 2016

Manchester’s next generation of poets, Young Identity, have been forging a reputation as some of the most magical orators the city, and indeed the country, has to offer for the past ten years.

For Standing On The Shoulders Of Giants, the poets collaborate with their predecessors Speakeasy, and their older sibling, Inna Voice, to present a poetical production of epic proportions. | youngidentity.org

10

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© David Pickens

Tue 25 Oct, 2pm and 7pm. Wed 26 Oct, 11am and 2pm. £13 / £7 conc. £5 under 10s. Ages 3 – 10.

UPSWING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STRATFORD CIRCUS ARTS CENTRE PRESENT

Fun for families

BEDTIME STORIES

Written by Vicki Amedume and Yusra Warsama.

Celebrate the magical time of the day when the stresses and strains of life melt away and enter a world of imagination and dreams with Bedtime Stories.

Tucked up with your family and friends, take this chance to unwind and be dazzled with circus, theatre, dance and projections from circus theatre pioneers Upswing.

‘Truly immersive, and truly different, piece of theatre’ Children’s Theatre Reviews ‘A production of colour, comfort and awe striking imagery’ Theatre Full Stop Funded by Arts Council England with additional funding from Appetite Stoke, the Austin and Hope Pilkington Trust, the Leche Trust and Upswing’s benefactors. Supported by the Point, Eastleigh, the Albany and Jacksons Lane.

| upswing.org.uk Wed 26 Oct, 3.15pm – 4.15pm. £3. Ages 3+

FAMILY WORKSHOP: ACROBALANCE Learn circus skills in this fun workshop for children and their parents/guardians.

11

OCT / NOV Mon 31 Oct – Fri 4 Nov, 7pm.

Mon 7 – Fri 11 Nov, 7pm. £11 / £6 conc.

All ages.

SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVAL Celebrating 400 years of ‘sound and fury’ Shakespeare Schools Festival is proud to present a series of unique performances by children from all over Greater Manchester.

Whether you are a parent, friend or another local school, this is a wonderful way to experience the language, magic and possibilities of Shakespeare. | #OurStage Sat 12 Nov, 7.30pm. £11 / £6 conc. All ages.

HOME IS… ILÉ LA WA Home Is... explores the concept of home and what happens when your idea of home conflicts with the reality. The same morning the Government unleashes ‘Go Home’ buses on the streets of London, four strangers find themselves detained together following an immigration raid.

Featuring the words of acclaimed poets Tolu Agbelusi, Tshaka Campbell, Russenï Fisher, Jemilia Wisdom and Belinda Zhawi, and a curtain-raiser performance from Young Identity.

Supported by Arts Council England and Apples and Snakes.

| whenifindhome.blogspot.co.uk | #HOMEIS

12

NOV

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Leonie Gasson

Fri 4 & Sat 5 Nov, various times. £7 / £5 conc. Over 15s.

ANDY FIELD: LOOKOUT Commissioned by Contact.

Off-site location. Limited capacity.

Created in collaboration with local primary school children, Lookout is a one-to-one encounter between one adult audience member and one child performer taking place somewhere high up overlooking the city. Together they look out across Manchester and imagine its future.

Commissioned by The Arches, caravan, MAYK, Cambridge Junction, Contact, and Unicorn Theatre. Supported by Arts Council England.

| andytfield.co.uk I #lookoutshow

13

NOV © Hugo Glendinning

Wed 16 & Thu 17 Nov, 8pm. £13 / £7 conc. All ages. Post-show talk on Wed 16 (BSL).

CANDOCO DANCE COMPANY A double bill from the cutting-edge company of disabled and non-disabled dancers that invites audiences to consider what dance can be.

In these two outstanding works, Set and Reset/Reset (Trisha Brown Dance Company/ Candoco Dance Company) and Let’s Talk About Dis (by Hetain Patel), Candoco brings together iconic choreography and playful questions, offering audiences an evening as diverse and exciting as the company itself.

‘A fantastically smart piece’ The Guardian (on Let’s Talk About Dis) ‘Elegant, exciting and very playful’ The Stage (on Set and Reset/Reset) | candoco.co.uk I #whatdancecanbe

Stay after the show and dance at Mixed Movement Thu 17 Nov (see P20)

14

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Keith Pattison

Tue 22 –Thu 24 Nov, 7.30pm. £15 / £10. Over 12s. Post-show talk on 23 Nov.

OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY: KEY CHANGE The prison van, fences high, a Magpie.

One for sorrow. Snatched the babies.

The mother fought, but it was too big, and flew too high.

Devised with women in HMP Low Newton to tour to male prisons, critically-acclaimed Key Change carries their voices over the razor wire in a raw and illuminating portrayal of women in prison.

Winner of The Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award 2015.

‘A touching, empowering work’ ★★★★★ The Stage ‘Exquisite… singing with an everyday poetry’ ★★★★ The Guardian ‘A moving, intimate and superbly acted drama’ New York Times Critics Pick | openclasp.org.uk I #KeyChange

BSL

performance Thu 24 Nov, 7.30pm

15

NOV © Manuel Vason

Tue 22 – Thu 24 Nov, 8pm. £13 / £7 conc. Over 15s. Post-show talk on 22 Nov. CONTACT AND WORD OF WARNING PRESENT

GREG WOHEAD: COMEBACK SPECIAL Jam sessions, patter with a Southern drawl, big dance numbers, and a bit of sweat: this is a re-enactment of Elvis Presley’s 1968 Comeback Special. Sort of.

It’s an experiment in time drag; wearing another time as drag and dragging another time into the present. What happens if the Comeback comes back?

‘Neither an act of homage nor a simple nostalgia trip’ ★★★★ The Times ‘Original…innovative’ A Younger Theatre Co-commissioned by Shoreditch Town Hall, Theatre in the Mill and South Street Arts Centre. A Jerwood Charitable Foundation/Bristol Old Vic Ferment Commission. Developed at MAKE, Bios, Greenwich and Lewisham Young People’s Theatre and the New Wolsey Theatre. Initially supported through a 2014 Dance and the Homemade Commission by Chisenhale Dance Space. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

| gregwohead.com I #ComebackSpecial

16

DEC

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Joe Armitage

Wed 7 & Thu 8 Dec, 8pm. £15 / £10 conc. Over 12s. Post-show talk on 7 Dec.

GARY CLARKE COMPANY: COAL Marking the 30th anniversary of the end of the 1984/85 British Miners’ strike, award-winning choreographer Gary Clarke proudly presents COAL, a powerful and emotional dance theatre show about life at the coal face. It brings together Clarke’s striking physical language performed by seven professional dancers, a cast of local women and a live brass band, in a story about community, solidarity and survival.

‘An absorbing, immediate slice of history’ ★★★★ The Times ‘Unquestionably beautiful’ British Theatre Guide Co-commissioned by DanceXchange; Cast; The Place; Dance City; Dance4 with Nottingham Playhouse; The Civic Barnsley; Yorkshire Dance, with additional funds from The National Lottery through Arts Council England, Individual Giving through Kickstarter with support from The Northern School of Contemporary Dance and The National Union of Mineworkers.

| coaltour.co.uk | #coaldance

17

DEC © The Graphic Design House

18

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 Thu 15 Dec, 1pm. Fri 16 – Sat 17 Dec, 1pm and 6.30pm.

Mon 19 – Thu 22 Dec, 1pm and 6.30pm. £13 / £7 conc. £5 under 10s. Ages 5+.

CONTACT AND SLUNG LOW PRESENT

Fun for families

Devised and performed by Contact Young Company.

Directed by Alan Lane (Slung Low).

'Right, so if a gang of naughty, bad and ferocious misfits decided to kidnap the Spirit of Christmas, where would they stash her?

‘Exactly. In a castle. And there’s only one castle in Manchester, and some fool decided to put a theatre in it. You should never put a theatre in a castle, it’s too dangerous.

‘So what are you waiting for? Are you going to come and rescue me or what?’

Starting outside the main doors of Contact, and roaming throughout our unique castle-y building, The Siege of Christmas is a theatrical adventure for young audiences and the taller people that look after them.

It is made by the award-winning Contact Young Company and Slung Low who made the brilliant 59 Minutes to Save Christmas, and the acclaimed Camelot: The Shining City.

'A hugely enjoyable interactive adventure' The Guardian (on Slung Low’s 59 Minutes to Save Christmas)

‘Well-performed, beautifully crafted’ Manchester Theatre Awards (on CYC’s The Shrine of Everyday Things)

19

REGULAR EVENTS © Joel Chester Fildes

Mon 26 Sep, 24 Oct, 28 Nov, 8pm. Free. Over 12s.

RAW (RHYTHM AND WORDS) Open mic for poets, vocalists, and MCs, featuring the Freestyle Pyramid Competition with quirky prizes.

Hosted by Martin Visceral with DJ Jomo. | #RAWMCR

© Joel Chester Fildes

Thu 17 Nov, 10pm. Free. All ages.

CONTACT AND DAWN’S MIND PRESENTS

MIXED MOVEMENT

Hosted by Keisha Thompson.

Open stage event for dancers. Turn up and just watch, or let the music grab you and join in.

Email mixedmovement@contactmcr.com to take part. | #mixedmovement

© Saquib Chowdhury

Fri 18 Nov, 7pm. £7/4. Over 12s.

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

Email youngidentitymcr@googlemail.com to take part. | youngidentity.org | #onemicstand © Fannar Sveinn Gudmundsson

Fri 25 Nov, 8.30pm (8pm doors). £12 / £8 conc. Over 18s.

CAKE TIN FOUNDATION PRESENTS

MOTHER’S RUIN

Mother's hit alternative queer cabaret returns. Hosted by Timberlina and starring an inimitable mix of beautiful, radical performers from the North West and beyond.

‘The best in exploratory queer performance’ ★★★★★ Reviews Hub | mothersruin.co.uk

20

EXHIBITION

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Benji Reid

Thu 22 Sep – Sat 17 Dec, open daily (not Sun). Free.

BENJI REID: A THOUSAND WORDS Benji Reid’s vision as performer and creative director has made him an award-winning and senior contributor to the Black Physical Theatre canon over the last 30 years.

Reid is without a doubt one of the most compelling cultural makers in contemporary British theatre.

Over the years, Benji has made the journey from Hip Hop theatre to visual theatre and photography. A Thousand Words is the new photographic exhibition from this singular talent.

‘Contained within these images, the choreographer, the director and photographer are in constant conversation.‘ Benji Reid I benjireid.com

21

PROJECTS © Joel Chester Fildes

THE AGENCY

CREATIVE EXPERTS

The Agency — Contact’s creative entrepreneur project with Battersea Arts Centre and People’s Palace Projects, London — enables young people from underserved areas to create social initiatives based on the needs of their communities.

Contact’s Creative Experts are a team of young professional facilitators who deliver unique consultancy services to corporate clients, charities and public sector organisations, with a proven track record of providing high quality solutions.

This autumn, we will be continuing our ground-breaking work engaging with young people in Moston and Harpurhey, Manchester, and Battersea and Clapham Junction, London.

If you would like to get involved, or would like more information please contact stevevickers@contactmcr.com

‘An opportunity for young people to get out there and do something’ Victor Oderinde (The Artists Avenue)

Following a successful two year pilot supported by the Gulbenkian Foundation, The Agency is currently funded

by The Big Lottery’s Reaching Communities fund.

I contactmcr.com/theagency

22

© Joel Chester Fildes

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.

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

'An exceptionally creative and imaginative programme’ North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT)

I contactmcr.com/creativeexperts

CONTACT IS... CHANGING

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Shepherd Robson

CAPITAL PROJECT Contact’s future plans have had a terrific boost with a £3.85m funding award from Arts Council England towards our £6.5m capital redevelopment, to be completed in 2018.

We will make the entire venue more open, welcoming and accessible, and create fantastic new performance and community spaces, equipped with the latest digital technologies — transforming Contact for the next generation of audiences, artists and young people.

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 emmawigley@contactmcr.com or follow the project on Twitter at #MakingContact.

Capital Supporters

23

EDUCATION © Joel Chester Fildes

© Joel Chester Fildes

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 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.

WORKSHOPS Contact delivers bespoke, high quality, innovative educational workshops and participatory projects across a variety of live and digital art forms, as well as continuing professional development training and consultation.

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

24

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

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Joel Chester Fildes

ARTS AWARD

ARTS AWARD DROP

Contact is an Arts Award Centre with trained staff who are able to deliver Bronze, Silver and Gold Arts Awards.

We are also an Arts Award Supporter Organisation.

Weekly, Free. Ages 13 – 25.

Wed, 5pm – 6.30pm, 3 Oct – 30 Nov.

As an Arts Award Supporter we can offer:

Work your way through Bronze, Silver and Gold Arts Awards to explore the arts, develop your skills and be a creative leader.

• Involvement

in our free workshops and projects.

• Artist

meet and greets.

• Leadership

opportunities.

• Opportunities

to see and review live

performance.

• Tours

of the building and backstage.

• Opportunities

to meet staff working in Contact’s various departments.

| contactmcr.com/artsaward

25

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

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

Next auditions: 14 –15 Dec. 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, including the likes of Forced Entertainment, and Stacy Makishi. | #contactyoungco

© Joel Chester Fildes

MONDAY DROP Weekly, Free. Ages 13 –19.

Mon, 6.30pm – 8.30pm, 26 Sep –28 Nov. Interested in drama skills and acting?

Drop in and learn from professional performers, actors and directors. No experience necessary. | #mondaydrop

© Stephen Otosio

MEDIA DROP Weekly, Free. Ages 13 –25.

Mon, 6pm –9pm, 3 Oct –21 Nov. MCs, DJs, vocalists, poets and producers!

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

26

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Joel Chester Fildes

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

Tue, 6pm –9pm, 4 Oct –22 Nov. Develop music production skills working with industry professionals to arrange, mix, produce and record music. | #levelupmcr

© Joel Chester Fildes

TECHNIQUE Weekly, Free. Ages 15 –25.

Mon, 7pm –9pm, 26 Sep –14 Nov. Develop skills in lighting, sound and technical theatre led by our professional technicians. | #techniquemcr

© Shirley May

YOUNG IDENTITY Weekly, Free. Ages 13 –25.

Tue, from 27 Sep. 6pm –7pm (beginners).

7pm –9pm (some experience).

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

I youngidentity.org

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

27

CONTACT LOUNGE AND SPACE HIRE CONTACT LOUNGE

SPACE HIRE

Mon/Tue: 11am – 9pm.

Wed – Fri: 11am – late.

Food served: Mon – Fri, 11am – 4pm.

Sat: 3pm ‘til late for performances.

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.

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

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

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 © Joel Chester Fildes

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

@contactlounge | #contactlounge /contactlounge

ST WE ST H OT 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: We do 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

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

VISIT / ACCESS TICKETS AND BOX OFFICE INFORMATION • We don’t charge booking fees.

• Hours: Box office is open Monday – Friday,

10am – 9pm, and from 3pm onwards on Saturdays. Our phone lines close an hour before the advertised show time.

• Concessions include: Senior Citizen,

Student, Unwaged, Disabled and Under 18s. Proof of concession is needed when collecting your tickets.

• Group offers: Buy 10 tickets and get your

11th ticket free.

• Donations: We are a registered charity —

if you’d like to support us, please donate when you book a ticket online or in person.

FEELING SOCIABLE? Please help us spread the word about Contact!

@contactmcr

/contactmcr

/contactmcr /contactmcr

/contactmcr 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.

• Ticket collection: We can post your

tickets out to you. Certain performances also allow Print At Home ticketing. If you choose to collect from our Box Office, please arrive at least 30 minutes before the advertised show time.

• Advanced booking is always recommended.

• Latecomers: Many of our shows

don’t allow entry once a performance has started.

• Please ensure you arrive in plenty of

time to avoid disappointment.

• Tickets purchased are non-refundable.

For more information contact us on 0161 274 0600.

SPACES 1 2 3 5 CONTACT LOUNGE BUILDING ON LOCATION

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

29

SEASON AT A GLANCE SEPTEMBER Day

Event

Time

Page

Mon 26 Sep

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8.00pm

20

OCTOBER Day

Event

Time

Page

Sat 1 Oct

Fun Palaces

11.00am

4

Tue 4 Oct

Spymonkey: The Complete Deaths

7.30pm

5

Wed 5 Oct

Spymonkey: The Complete Deaths (BSL)

7.30pm

5

Thu 6-Sat 8 Oct

Black Gold Arts Festival

Various

6

Sat 8 Oct

The 8th Black and Asian Writers Conference: Lemn Sissay

7.00pm

7

Mon 10 Oct

Belarus Free Theatre: Burning Doors

7.30pm

8

Tue 11 Oct

Belarus Free Theatre: Burning Doors

7.30pm

8

Wed 12 Oct

Belarus Free Theatre: Burning Doors

7.30pm

8

Fri 14 Oct

Peaches Christ and Jinkx Monsoon: Return to Grey Gardens

8.00pm

9

Sat 15 Oct

Peaches Christ and Jinkx Monsoon: Return to Grey Gardens

8.00pm

9

Fri 21 Oct

WHY? What’s Happening for the Young Festival

Various

10

Sat 22 Oct

WHY? What’s Happening for the Young Festival

Various

10

Sat 22 Oct

Young Identity: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

7.30pm

10

Mon 24 Oct

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8.00pm

20

Tue 25 Oct

Upswing: Bedtime Stories

2.00pm

11

Tue 25 Oct

Upswing: Bedtime Stories

7.00pm

11

Wed 26 Oct

Upswing: Bedtime Stories

11.00am

11

Wed 26 Oct

Upswing: Bedtime Stories

2.00pm

11

Mon 31 Oct

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

NOVEMBER

30

Day

Event

Time

Page

Tue 1 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Wed 2 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Thu 3 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Fri 4 Nov

Andy Field: Lookout

Various

13

Fri 4 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Sat 5 Nov

Andy Field: Lookout

Various

13

Mon 7 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Tue 8 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Wed 9 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Thu 10 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Fri 11 Nov

Shakespeare Schools Festival

7.00pm

12

Sat 12 Nov

Home is… Ilé la Wa

7.30pm

12

Wed 16 Nov

Candoco Dance Company

8.00pm

14

Thu 17 Nov

Candoco Dance Company

8.00pm

14

Thu 17 Nov

Mixed Movement

10.00pm

20

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600 NOVEMBER Fri 18 Nov

Young Identity: One Mic Stand

7.00pm

20

Tue 22 Nov

Open Clasp Theatre Company: Key Change

7.30pm

15

Tue 22 Nov

Greg Wohead: Comeback Special

8.00pm

16

Wed 23 Nov

Open Clasp Theatre Company: Key Change

7.30pm

15

Wed 23 Nov

Greg Wohead: Comeback Special

8.00pm

16

Thu 24 Nov

Open Clasp Theatre Company: Key Change (BSL)

7.30pm

15

Thu 24 Nov

Greg Wohead: Comeback Special

8.00pm

16

Fri 25 Nov

Mother’s Ruin

8.30pm

20

Mon 28 Nov

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8.00pm

20

DECEMBER Day

Event

Time

Page

Wed 7 Dec

Gary Clarke Company: COAL

8.00pm

17 17

Thu 8 Dec

Gary Clarke Company: COAL

8.00pm

Thu 15 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

1.00pm

18-19

Fri 16 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

1.00pm

18-19

Fri 16 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

6.30pm

18-19

Sat 17 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

1.00pm

18-19

Sat 17 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

6.30pm

18-19

Mon 19 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

1.00pm

18-19

Mon 19 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

6.30pm

18-19

Tue 20 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

1.00pm

18-19 18-19

Tue 20 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

6.30pm

Wed 21 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

1.00pm

18-19

Wed 21 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

6.30pm

18-19

Thu 22 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

1.00pm

18-19

Thu 22 Dec

Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas

6.30pm

18-19

EXHIBITIONS Day

Event

Time

Page

Thu 22 SepSat 17 Dec

Benji Reid: A Thousand Words

Open daily (not Sun)

21

31

Find Us Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA We are open all days featuring programmed activity as follows Monday – Friday: 10am – late Saturdays: 3pm – late 24 hour online booking contactmcr.com 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: Gary Clarke Company: COAL © Joe Armitage Brochure design: markbrownstudio.co.uk