Contact I What's On I April-August 2015

Theatr e | Dance | Spoken Wor d | Comedy Music | Art | Workshops | Cafe Bar | Free WiFi contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0600 |

@contactmcr |

/contactmcr

Thank you Thanks to our Funders, 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, Electricity North West, Heineken, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Sharp Futures, Tate Liverpool, Tyneside Cinema, The University of Manchester, Siemens.

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Welcome

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 as full Board members. The result is a remarkable, diverse and exciting programme for everyone — whatever your age.

Matt Fenton © Joel Chester Fildes

April — August 2015 at Contact Summer 2015 sees an outstanding run of brand new performances produced and commissioned by Contact, working with a wealth of national partners.

In April we present the first performances of Fuel’s The Spalding Suite, a new Contact/Southbank Centre commission. With a creative team including Contact favourites Inua Ellams (text) and Benji Reid (director/choreographer), and a talented cast with a passion for basketball, this is set to be massive.

Then we present an important new Contact/National Theatre of Scotland Co-Production — Rites — exploring the complex issues around Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Artists Cora Bissett and Yusra Warsama have worked with health workers, lawyers, activists and young people affected by the practice, to create a powerful piece of verbatim theatre.

In May, Flying Solo Festival sees new Contact commissions from Cheryl Martin, Keisha Thompson, Jackie Hagan, Ester Natzijl and Louise Orwin, alongside a brilliant visiting programme of maverick artists including Chris Brett Bailey, jamie lewis hadley and the vacuum cleaner.

In July, Contact Young Company work alongside Brazilian artists Rodolfo Amorim (Grupo IX de Teatro) and Renato Bolelli Rebouças, and Manchester performer Lowri Evans, to create a haunting and evocative site-specific performance in an empty row of houses in Brunswick, set for demolition and regeneration.

Other highlights include a unique sensory performance event conceived by our young programming team, Re:Con, followed by the best of new young and emerging European theatre presented as part of Flare Festival 2015.

Matt Fenton, Artistic Director/Chief Executive

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Projects © Drew Forsyth

© Christopher Nunn

Contact Produces As well as the shows and events taking place in our building, at any one time Contact has over 10 productions and commissions touring to venues, festivals and communities nationwide. The work is highly distinctive in its diversity and social engagement, and its strong focus on issues relevant to young people.

Our major recent co-productions — Rites, No Guts No Heart No Glory and The Spalding Suite — tour to theatres nationally in 2015. Meanwhile, previous Contact commissions by Chanje Kunda, Eggs Collective, Kate O’Donnell, and Greg Wohead continue to tour widely.

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Jackie Hagan will present her new piece for young people, Some People Have Too Many Legs, in rural venues this summer with partners National Rural Touring Forum.

Finally in Spring 2015 Contact Young Company and our Level Up music project participants both performed in London — at Battersea Arts Centre and The Roundhouse. This signals us starting to fulfil a new ambition to present our young people’s activity nationally and internationally over the coming three years.

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Joel Chester Fildes

© Joel Chester Fildes

Future Fires

Creative Experts

Future Fires is our leadership programme for young artists interested in creating socially engaged art projects in their own communities. Following an outstanding year in 2014, we are now planning to develop Future Fires into a national programme.

Contact’s Creative Experts are an award -winning team of creative facilitators who deliver consultancy, workshops, training and seminars.

We also offer surgery sessions for young people aged 18-30 who would like support in: • Developing an idea for a socially

engaged community project.

• Finding

funding and writing applications for a socially engaged project.

• Finding

development opportunities, training and advice on career progression.

To book a surgery session or register your interest in Future Fires, contact victoriabrown@contactmcr.com contactmcr.com/futurefires | #futurefires

If you’re a business, charity or local authority and want to bring fresh thinking into your organisation, the Creative Experts bring a young person’s perspective to recruitment, staff development and customer experience.

We can dramatise workplace scenarios, create training and promotional films, or deliver our famous wRap-up: a rapped spoken word summing up at conferences and events.

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

'A great collaboration which delivers real change in the community.'

Jonathan Collins, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, Electricity North West

For more info please contact: creativeservices@contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0628.

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April Thu 2 Apr, 8pm. £15/10. Over 16s.

Gina Yashere: Laugh Riot Multi-award winning comedian Gina Yashere returns to the UK with her biggest tour to date.

From her disappointment at being diagnosed with sleep apnoea, despite losing over five stone in weight, to being coughed on, stared at and followed in China, to finding herself in a brothel in Singapore, Gina has plenty of stories to tell.

‘One of the best comics in the world.’

The Guardian

| ginayashere.com

Palaver Festival Celebrating language and performance Tue 14 Apr, 7:30pm, £9/5.

The University of Manchester’s School of Music and Drama presents

Musical Chitchat An innovative, contemporary concert exploring the voice as an instrument.

An eclectic mix from a cappella choirs to electro acoustic music. For anyone with an interest in contemporary music and culture.

Thu 16 to Sat 18 Apr, 7:30pm, £9/5.

Post-show talk Fri 17.

The University of Manchester’s German Society presents

Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui

By Bertolt Brecht.

1930s Chicago: Bertolt Brecht’s allegorical satire in which Adolf Hitler’s rise to power is filtered through the story of mobster Arturo Ui and his hoodlums, attempting to take over the cauliflower racket by ruthlessly disposing of the opposition. A story that is both comic and thrilling in equal measure.

Performed in German with English subtitles.

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Š Manuel Vason

Thu 23 to Sat 25 Apr, 7:30pm. ÂŁ15/10. Over 12s. Post-show talk Fri 24.

Fuel presents

The Spalding Suite Conceived by Inua Ellams and directed by Benji Reid.

Commissioned by Southbank Centre and Contact.

A new physical theatre show inspired by the UK's basketball sub-culture.

Fresh poetry combined with contemporary movement celebrates the elegance and beauty of basketball. Seen from a British perspective, The Spalding Suite gets to the heart and soul of the gravity-defying game and delves into the hopes and dreams of those who play it.

Six dynamic performers mix live beatboxing, Hip Hop, music, moves and poetry, taking us from the fleeting high of the score and the robust camaraderie of the team, to the poignant lows of a body too worn to play the game.

This production tours nationally following opening at Contact.

Funded by Arts Council England and a Wellcome Trust Arts Award.

Written and conceived by Inua Ellams. Inspired by the poetry of Nick Mak Oha, Bohdan Piasecki and Roger Robinson, with poems from Jacob Sam-La Rose and Nii Parkes. Sound by Eric Lau / MC Zani. Design by Ti Green.

| fueltheatre.com | #spaldingsuite

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April Jamil Keating © Tamsin Drury

Fri 24 and Sat 25 April, 8pm.

Double-bill £6/3. Over 16s.

Word of Warning and Contact present

Works Ahead

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

Works Ahead 2015 sees two new works in development by two young male artists, questioning manliness in this digitised, disembodied era. Featuring: Nathan Birkinshaw: How I Lost The Will To Live (& Why You Should Too) Jamil Keating: Affected Commissioned by hÅb, co-produced by Contact.

| wordofwarning.org | #worksahead

© KeelerTornero

Sat 2 May. Free. Over 14s.

11am to 4:30pm (Installation), 6:30pm to 8:30pm (Sharing).

Unfinished Business: Change My Mind Commissioned by Contact.

Change My Mind is an epic performance research project, exploring human capacity for change and its impact on wellbeing and the world around us. Witness the results of Unfinished Business’ week-long residency, including a live editing installation throughout the day and an interactive sharing of ideas in the evening.

Supported by Arts Council England, Contact, Theatre in the Mill, The Bridge Awards, Baratza, Barbican and Slung Low.

| thisischangemymind.com | #changemymind

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May

Flying Solo Festival 2015

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Celebrating the art of the solo performer | #flyingsolo2015

© Julie Bauer

© Jemima Young

Tue 5 and Wed 6 May, 8pm. £11/7. Over 16s. Post-show talk Tue 5.

Contact and Word of Warning present

Christopher Brett Bailey: THIS IS HOW WE DIE A motor-mouthed collage of spoken word and storytelling. Tales of paranoia, young love and ultra-violence. From the desk of Christopher Brett Bailey comes a spiraling odyssey of pitch-black humour and nightmarish prose. THIS IS HOW WE DIE is a prime slice of surrealist trash, an Americana death trip and a dizzying exorcism for a world convinced it is dying.

‘An absurd road movie of the soul cut with a razor wit and bubbling paranoia.’ ★★★★ The Guardian

‘Blisteringly brilliant.’ ★★★★ The Scotsman An Ovalhouse commission, made with support from the Basement, Cambridge Junction and Norwich Arts Centre under East by South East. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

| christopherbrettbailey.com

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May

Flying Solo Festival 2015 © Ray Fiasco

Tue 5 and Wed 6 May, 7pm. £10/6.

Over 14s.

Keisha Thompson: I Wish I Had A Moustache Commissioned by Contact.

A coming of age story that explores beauty, gender anxieties and the taboo of body hair. Can you be a modern day feminist and also feel the immemorial need to shave your legs?

Join performance poet Keisha Thompson on her comedic, at times disturbing, journey to find out if she has a problem with her gender, her culture or just herself. | iwishihadamoustacheuk.tumblr.com | #iwishihadamoustache © Bethany Hermitt

Tue 5 and Wed 6 May, 9pm. £10/6.

Over 14s. Post-show talk Wed 6.

Cheryl Martin: Alaska ‘What it feels like, when the breakdowns start, is that it's as if I'm frozen as a snow man, then suddenly all these totally out of control emotions break through.’

Poet and playwright Cheryl Martin tries to keep a warm heart in an icy white world, without losing her mind. A raw and powerful performance.

'Relatable, touching, humorous, engaging — brilliant!’ Audience member.

Commissioned by The Albany, supported by Contact, Sustained Theatre Up North (STUN) and Commonword.

| cherylmartin.co.uk | #alaskatheplay

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Celebrating the art of the solo performer | #flyingsolo2015

© Field & McGlynn

Fri 8 May and Sat 9 May, 7pm. £10/6. Over 14s. Post-show talk Fri 8 May.

Louise Orwin: A Girl and A Gun A Contact and MC Theater Flying Solo Commission.

‘All you need to make a movie is a girl and a gun.’ Jean-Luc Godard This is a show about girls and guns. It asks what it means to be a plot-device, what it means to be a hero, and what it means to watch. Expect gun-twirling, line-dancing, and Nancy Sinatra.

Plus me. And you. | louiseorwin.com I #agirlandagunshow

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May

Flying Solo Festival 2015 Š Eva Gongrijp

Fri 8 May, 9pm and Sat 9 May, 2pm. ÂŁ10/6. Over 14s.

Ester Natzijl: Watching A Contact and MC Theater Flying Solo Commission.

'Ceci n'est pas de deux.'

A woman looking for peace is disturbed by something that is constantly watching over her. What is it? It wants to manifest itself in a life of flesh and blood. It cannot live without her cooperation. The watching entity takes shape. A demon-like creature attempts to hijack her life in order to be able to exist. The woman fights back. Or is she breathing her own life into the creature? They seem to merge.

A solo-duet with a life-size foam puppet created and performed by dancer and puppeteer Ester Natzijl. | esternatzijl.com

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Celebrating the art of the solo performer | #flyingsolo2015

Thu 7 and Fri 8 May, 4pm and 7pm. £9/5.

Over 16s.

Sat 9 May, 10am to 1pm. £4/3.

Over 16s.

the vacuum cleaner: Mental

Workshop: Crazy Paving

The Metropolitan Police call him a Domestic Extremist. The NHS have described him as 'highly disturbed'.

He prefers the term Mental.

A workshop with the vacuum cleaner in partnership with Drama and Nursing at The University of Manchester.

After 10 years as an outlaw and inpatient, artist activist the vacuum cleaner presents an autobiographical performance told through his psychiatric records, police intelligence files and corporate injunctions collected through the Data Protection Act.

‘A fascinating, stigma-smashing experience.’ ★★★★★ The Scotsman Made with support from Arts Council England, Artsadmin and In Between Time.

How do we speak about the hidden and unspeakable?

Workshop participants will be supported through a process of sharing stories about their encounters with mental health.

We’ll use the stories to open up the taboo of mental health and explore how personal experience can provide material for creative performance and storytelling.

Call 0161 274 0600 to book or for more information.

Please note: This show takes place at a secret Manchester location. Contact box office for details. | thevacuumcleaner.co.uk

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May

Flying Solo Festival 2015 Š Lorna Jane Newman

Sat 9 May, 7pm. Over 16s. Free (Limited capacity: pre-booking essential).

jamie lewis hadley: Blood on the Streets There’s a new Sweeney Todd in town, only this one's not out to kill!

A public performance lecture situated within the window of a barbershop. The lecture explores the history of bloodletting as a medical practice, tracing its roots in ancient medicine, the rise of the barber-surgeon and the current understanding of blood within modern medicine.

Please note: This performance will take place at a city centre barber shop. Contact box office for details.

Supported by Arts Council England and the Wellcome Trust.

| newsweeneytodd.com | #bloodonthestreets

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Celebrating the art of the solo performer | #flyingsolo2015

© Lee Baxter

BSL

performance Sat 9 May, 8:30pm.

Sat 9 May, 8:30pm. £9/5. Over 13s. Post-show talk.

Jackie Hagan: Some People Have Too Many Legs A Contact/NRTF Flying Solo Commission. Directed by Rikki Beadle-Blair.

Last Summer Jackie Hagan went to hospital with a mystery disease, they told her she was going to die and cut bits of her off. Luckily she didn’t die, but she did eat loads and loads of Kit Kats because she thought it wouldn't matter if she got fat.

She also lost a leg, made BFFs with an old woman who looked like a threadbare tennis ball (with eyes), fell in love with a posh man called Miles, and found her Dad.

Some People Have Too Many Legs is a show about facing your fears and throwing glitter at them.

Made with support from Artsadmin and Arts Council England.

| #toomanylegs

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May © Farrows Creative

BSL

performance Thu 14 May, 7:30pm

Tue 12 to Thu 14 May, 7:30pm. £14/8. Over 14s. Plus post-show talk.

Women only performance Wed 13 May, 12.30pm* Contact and The National Theatre of Scotland

Rites A co-production between the National Theatre of Scotland and Contact supported by the Scottish Refugee Council and Dignity Alert Research Forum.

Rites is a powerful and provocative new production exploring the deep-rooted cultural practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM — sometimes called female circumcision).

Created by Olivier award-winning director, Cora Bissett (Roadkill, Glasgow Girls) and acclaimed Mancunian theatre-maker Yusra Warsama (Make-Believe, There Has Possibly Been An Incident).

Rites is based on recent interviews and true stories from girls affected in the UK, mothers who feel under pressure to continue the practice, and the experiences of midwives, lawyers, police officers, teachers and health workers trying to effect change in communities. The show weaves different perspectives into a multi-voiced production exploring the complexities, misconceptions and challenges involved in trying to change what is to many, a fundamental rite of passage. *Booking for the women only performance is available by phone and in person at the Contact box office only.

| #rites

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© Lee Baxter

Wed 20 May, 8pm. £15/10. Over 18s.

Tim Whitehead Management presents

David Hoyle: I, Victim Directed by Nick Blackburn.

The anti-gender binary sensation David Hoyle presents a very special performance in I, Victim. Expect polemic, pathos, provocative politicking and high comedy.

I, Victim is about learning to live with chaos, the violence of our society, and not being beaten down by it.

An empowering, transformational, defiantly living experience.

‘Bold and unique.’ Time Out ‘David Hoyle is no drag.’ The Times Presented in Manchester by Contact and The Centre for the Study of Sexuality and Culture, The University of Manchester.

Delivered as part of the Sexuality Summer School’s public event series 2015.

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May

Tue 26 May, 7pm. ÂŁ10/6. Over 11s.

TriForce: MonologueSlam UK The ultimate showcase for actors from all backgrounds and profiles returns to Contact.

Following a lengthy audition process, 20 actors are given the opportunity to perform for a welcoming audience and a panel of people in a position to move their careers forward.

With a special Youth Round for 11-16 year olds, and professional actors taking part. | triforcepromotions.co.uk | #mslamuk Auditions Sat 25 Apr, 12:30pm (11-16 year olds); 1:30pm, 2:30pm, 3:30pm (over 16s). Free.

Masterclass with Darren L Gordon Sat 16 May, 10am and 2:30pm. ÂŁ35.

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June

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Š Matt Kowalczuk

Thu 11 to Fri 12 Jun, 8pm. ÂŁ10/6. Over 14s.

Dance Manchester and MDI, with Contact, University of Salford, The Lowry and Unity Theatre present

Moving Dance Forward New and outstanding contemporary dance and performance by four leading North West choreographers. Featuring works by Joseph Lau, Christopher Owen, Bridget Fiske and Lisi Perry, Moving Dance Forward Associates is a new artist development scheme led by Dance Manchester and MDI, with Contact, University of Salford, The Lowry and Unity Theatre. | dancemanchester.org.uk | #MDF

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June Sat 13 Jun, 7.30pm. Free. All ages.

Hercules Productions: Each One Teach One Written by Sonia Hughes.

Directed by Marcus Hercules.

A multi-media drama using verbatim theatre, video and dramatised first-hand accounts of events from the last 60 years in Moss Side and Hulme. The show brings together generations, with a cast of professional and participant actors, taking us on a journey through the sights and sounds of this magical part of Manchester.

Email info@herculesproductionsent.com to get involved.

Supported by Heritage Lottery Fund and Contact.

| herculesproductionsent.com | #eachoneteachone © Michael Reynolds

Wed 17 Jun, 7:30pm. £6/3. Over 14s.

Ben Mellor and Apples and Snakes present

Hit the Ode Hosted by Ben Mellor.

Hit the Ode brings the most exciting poets from the region, the country and the world to the heart of Manchester. It features three guest acts: one from the North West, one from elsewhere in the UK, and one international guest.

We have poems. Poems which crunch when you bite into them; poems you’ve been meaning to call for ages; poems buzzing like wires strung between pylons.

Good poems. Come and get them.

Limited open mic spots available, including free entry. Contact info@benmellor.net to book. | applesandsnakes.org | #hittheode

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Sat 27 Jun, 3pm to midnight. £9/5. Over 14s.

Re:Con: Sensored Sensored is conceived, produced and delivered by Re:Con, Contact’s Young Programming Team.

What would it be like to experience the world without one of your five senses?

Sensored is a one-day festival of art and performance that asks you to look, listen, touch, taste, smell and even dance your way through a body of work that each omits a different sense.

Each piece of work has been made in five days.

Each piece of work is a premiere.

Each piece of work has been made here at Contact.

Sensored also integrates other visceral events — including a silent disco and a dinner in the dark*.

Events will include a panel discussion with five members of accessible arts groups, exploring ways to be creative about accessibility when producing theatre and art.

*Please note: Dinner in the Dark is limited capacity and must be booked separately via 0161 274 0600.

Supported by Contact.

| #sensoredfest

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July Image from Scenes from a conversation after watching a Michael Haneke film by El Conde de Torrefiel (ESP).

Mon 13 to Sat 18 Jul, various times/prices. Over 14s.

The Flare International Festival of New Theatre 2015 FLARE15 returns to Contact, bigger and better than ever. Bringing together some of the most interesting new makers of radical theatre from across Europe and beyond, FLARE15 promises six days of around 20 highly original performances, plus workshops, discussions and at least one big party.

This year experience theatre from the UK, Spain, Germany, Belgium, Holland and beyond.

Expect hilarious, challenging, thought provoking theatre. Expect theatre reinvented by some of the most creative minds from the next generation of theatrical innovators.

Expect the unexpected.

Supported using public funding by Arts Council England and by Manchester Metropolitan University, Contact, Z-arts, The Royal Exchange Theatre and the University of Manchester.

‘A brilliant line-up.’ The Guardian (on Flare 2011) Festival passes on sale now at flarefestival.com. Tickets for all shows on sale from May 2015. | flarefestival.com

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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Rodolfo Amorim

Wed 22 to Sat 25 Jul, 12pm, 3pm and 7pm. £10/6. Over 14s.

Contact, Rodolfo Amorim, Lowri Evans and Renato Bolelli Reboucas present

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things An immersive, interactive journey through domestic spaces under transformation, played-out in an empty row of houses set for demolition and regeneration.

The artistic team from Sao Paulo and Manchester, responsible for one of Contact’s most unforgettable site-specific experiences (Memoria da Chuva, 1830s Warehouse, MOSI), are back to conduct a voyeuristic investigation of how we live and who we are on a Brunswick housing estate.

Nothing is as it seems as you are invited to twitch behind the net curtains with CYC (Contact Young Company).

Please note: this performance will take place at a secret Manchester location.

Contact box office for details. | #everydayshrine

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Exhibitions and Regular Events George House Trust: HIV Activism on Paper Until Sat 1 Aug, open daily (not Sun).

Free.

George House Trust supports people living with or affected by HIV in the North West of England. This exhibition explores their engagement in HIV activism; telling the shared local, national and global story of HIV, as the charity commemorates its 30th anniversary.

I ght.org.uk Contact presents

RAW (Rhythm and Words) Mon 27 Apr, 29 Jun, 27 Jul, 8pm. Free.

Over 13s.

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

Hosted by Martin Visceral with DJ Jomo. © Joel Chester Fildes

| #RAWMCR

© Saquib Chowdhury

Young Identity: One Mic Stand Fri 19 Jun, 7pm. £6/3. Over 13s.

Join Manchester’s finest young spoken word performers for a boisterous night of poetry, music and visual art. Featuring two open slams and special guests.

Email youngidentitymcr@googlemail.com to take part. | cultureword.org.uk/young-identity | #onemicstand

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Education Contact’s Education Newsletter Contact’s Education Newsletter provides information about up-coming educational shows, workshops, participatory activities and projects, helping 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.

Arts Award Contact is an Arts Award Centre with trained staff who are able to deliver bronze, silver and gold Arts Awards.

Contact is also an Arts Award Supporter Organisation.

As an Arts Award Supporter we can offer: • Involvement

in our free workshops and projects.

• Artist

meet and greets.

• Leadership

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

To find out more please contact: education@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0600. © Joel Chester Fildes

opportunities.

• Opportunities

to see and review live

performance.

• Tours

of the building and backstage.

• Opportunities

to meet staff working in Contact’s various departments.

To find out more please contact: education@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0600.

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

advance information about shows; get great offers and occasional free stuff.

• Groups

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

For more info call: 0161 274 0600.

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

Contact Young Company (CYC) Weekly, Free. Ages 15 to 25.

Next Auditions: Tues 7 and Wed 8 Apr, 7pm to 8:30pm.

Contact Young Company is our renowned 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, CAMPO/Victoria and Grupo XIX de Teatro. | #CYC

© Joel Chester Fildes

Monday Drop Weekly, Free. Ages 13 to 19.

Mon, 6:30pm to 8:30pm, 8 Jun to 27 Jul. If you’re interested in drama skills and acting then drop in to our regular Monday night sessions and learn from professional performers, actors and directors. No experience necessary. | #mondaydrop

Media Drop Weekly, Free. Ages 13 to 25.

Mon, 6pm to 9pm, 29 Jun to 17 Aug. MCs, DJs, vocalists, poets and producers!

Collaborate, build your skills, share tracks and material in person and online. | #mediadrop © Joel Chester Fildes

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Supported by Youth Music.

contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

© Saquib Chowdhury

© Joel Chester Fildes

Level Up: Music Project*

Young Identity

Weekly, Free. Ages 13 to 30.

Tue, 6pm to 9pm, 30 Jun to 18 Aug.

Weekly, Free. Ages 13 to 25.

Tue, from 7 Apr. 6pm to 7pm (beginners).

7pm to 9pm (some experience).

Develop music production skills working with industry professionals to arrange, mix, produce and record music. | #levelupmcr *Please note you must be available to attend all sessions.

Supported by Youth Music.

To apply for Level Up please contact: tundeadekoya@contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0624.

Write, create and perform with Manchester’s premiere young spoken word performers. | cultureword.org.uk/young-identity | #youngidentity

Call 0161 274 0600 or visit contactmcr.com for more info and to enquire about any of the above.

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Contact Lounge and Space Hire Contact Lounge

Space Hire

Mon/Tue: 11am to 9pm.

Wed to Fri: 11am to late.

Sat: open late for shows.

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

Contact Lounge, with Free WiFi, is the perfect spot for meeting, chatting and general lounging. We serve fantastic coffees and teas to drink in or take away, a wide range of wines, beers and spirits, and snacks.

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

The Veggie Café provides great vegetarian food and cakes from our Lounge every Monday to Friday from 11am.

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

You can also hire the Lounge for parties, graduations or meetings.

| contactmcr.com/spacehire

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

© Joel Chester Fildes

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

@contactlounge | #contactlounge /contactlounge

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UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER

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MANCHESTER ACADEMY

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

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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 • No booking fees.

• Concessions are available to anyone

receiving unemployment or disability benefit, full time students, senior citizens, and young people up to 18 years of age.

Proof of status/ID is needed or you will be charged full price.

• Groups: Buy 9 tickets and get your 10th

ticket free.

• Donations: We are a registered charity

— if you’d like to donate to our work with young people, you can do so when you book a ticket.

Feeling Sociable?

Please help us spread the word about Contact.

@contactmcr

/contactmcr

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/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: Avoid the queues and

ask us to post your tickets out to you.

Alternatively, please allow plenty of time for collection from Box Office on the night or collect your tickets in advance.

• Advance booking is always

recommended. Shows often sell out in advance and we cannot guarantee tickets will be available on the door.

• Latecomers may be refused entry into

a show once the performance starts.

Please ensure you arrive in plenty of time to avoid disappointment.

• We do not offer refunds on tickets.

Tickets purchased are non-refundable.

Spaces 1 2 3 5 CONTACT LOUNGE 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 April Day

Event

Time

Page

Thu 2 Apr

Gina Yashere: Laugh Riot

8:00pm

6

Tue 14 Apr

Palaver Festival: Musical Chitchat

7:30pm

6

Thu 16 Apr

Palaver Festival: Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui

7:30pm

6

Fri 17 Apr

Palaver Festival: Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui

7:30pm

6

Sat 18 Apr

Palaver Festival: Der aufhaltsame Aufstieg des Arturo Ui

7:30pm

6

Thu 23 Apr

The Spalding Suite

7:30pm

7

Fri 24 Apr

The Spalding Suite

7:30pm

7

Fri 24 Apr

Works Ahead

8:00pm

8

Sat 25 Apr

The Spalding Suite

7:30pm

7

Sat 25 Apr

Works Ahead

8:00pm

8

Mon 27 Apr

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8:00pm

24

Day

Event

Time

Page

Sat 2 May

Unfinished Business: Change My Mind Installation

11:00am to 4:30pm

8

Sat 2 May

Unfinished Business: Change My Mind Sharing

6:30pm

8

Tue 5 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Keisha Thompson: I Wish I Had A Moustache

7:00pm

10

Tue 5 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Christopher Brett Bailey: THIS IS HOW WE DIE

8:00pm

9

Tue 5 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Cheryl Martin: Alaska

9:00pm

10

Wed 6 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Keisha Thompson: I Wish I Had A Moustache

7:00pm

10

Wed 6 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Christopher Brett Bailey: THIS IS HOW WE DIE

8:00pm

9

Wed 6 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Cheryl Martin: Alaska

9:00pm

10

Thu 7 May

Flying Solo 2015 — the vacuum cleaner: Mental

4:00pm

13

Thu 7 May

Flying Solo 2015 — the vacuum cleaner: Mental

7:00pm

13

Fri 8 May

Flying Solo 2015 — the vacuum cleaner: Mental

4:00pm

13

Fri 8 May

Flying Solo 2015 — the vacuum cleaner: Mental

7:00pm

13

Fri 8 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Louise Orwin: A Girl and A Gun

7:00pm

11

Fri 8 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Ester Natzijl: Watching

9:00pm

12

Sat 9 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Ester Natzijl: Watching

2:00pm

12

Sat 9 May

Flying Solo 2015 — jamie lewis hadley: Blood on the Streets

7:00pm

14

Sat 9 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Louise Orwin: A Girl and A Gun

7:00pm

11

Sat 9 May

Flying Solo 2015 — Jackie Hagan: Some People Have Too Many Legs (BSL interpreted)

8:30pm

15

Tue 12 May

Rites

7:30pm

16

Wed 13 May

Rites (Women only performance)

12:30pm

16

Wed 13 May

Rites

7:30pm

16

Thu 14 May

Rites (BSL interpreted)

7:30pm

16

Wed 20 May

David Hoyle: I, Victim

8:00pm

17

Tue 26 May

TriForce: MonologueSlam UK

7:00pm

18

May

30

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

Event

Time

Page

Thu 11 Jun

Moving Dance Forward

8:00pm

19

Fri 12 Jun

Moving Dance Forward

8:00pm

19

Sat 13 Jun

Hercules Productions: Each One Teach One

7:30pm

20

Wed 17 Jun

Hit the Ode

7:30pm

20

Fri 19 Jun

Young Identity: One Mic Stand

7:00pm

24

Sat 27 Jun

Re:Con: Sensored

3:00pm

21

Mon 29 Jun

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8:00pm

24

Day

Event

Time

Page

Mon 13 to Sat 18 Jul

The Flare International Festival of New Theatre 2015

TBC

22

Wed 22 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

12:00pm

23

Wed 22 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

3:00pm

23

Wed 22 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

7:00pm

23

Thu 23 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

12:00pm

23

Thu 23 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

3:00pm

23

Thu 23 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

7:00pm

23

Fri 24 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

12:00pm

23

Fri 24 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

3:00pm

23

Fri 24 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

7:00pm

23

Sat 25 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

12:00pm

23

Sat 25 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

3:00pm

23

Sat 25 Jul

Contact Young Company: The Shrine of Everyday Things

7:00pm

23

Mon 27 Jul

RAW (Rhythm and Words)

8:00pm

24

Day

Event

Time

Page

Until Sat 1 Aug

George House Trust: HIV Activism on Paper

Open daily (not Sun)

24

July

Exhibitions

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 to 27).

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

• 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: lucygreen@contactmcr.com I 0161 274 0657.

31

Find Us Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6JA We are open on all days featuring programmed activity Monday to Friday: 10am to late Saturdays: 3pm to late 24 hour online booking contactmcr.com Box Office 0161 274 0600 Monday to Friday: 10am to 9pm Saturdays: 3pm to 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: The Spalding Suite Š Manuel Vason.

Brochure design: markbrownstudio.co.uk