Contact Spring 2011

A WORD FROM OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

WE ARE CONTACT We are a diverse and dynamic charity in the heart of Manchester.

We are passionate about developing young people as artists, innovators and leaders. We do this by pioneering the best in cutting-edge performance and original ideas. Our innovative practice with young people and new ideas about theatre-making is internationally renowned.

We see theatre as the meeting place of all art forms. Our wide-ranging programme brings together the best of new writing, music, 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 we’ve got amazing spaces, exhibitions, a café-bar and our brand new media lounge. We also host events outside the building in spaces like museums, pubs and swimming pools.

If you’ve ever wondered what happens inside Contact’s towers, come in and say hello!

Who knows what you will discover?

Katie Riley, Contacting the World social media intern For me, Contact is home. As a space it continually provides the opportunity to see vibrant and varied work. The people that engage with the building are an invaluable resource of creativity, inspiration and support. Contact has opened my eyes to new art forms, it empowers me to value my voice, challenge myself and most importantly continue to pursue my career in the arts.

Billy Sarfaz, Future Fires As soon as I walk through the doors to Contact, I know that if I have something to say it will be heard. The freedom that is given to a young person has allowed me to learn how to put on projects and events from start to finish. It has raised my level of creativity beyond my expectations and I owe it to the building, staff, shows, young people and artists I have worked with.

Reece Williams, Young Identity Contact has given Young Identity the opportunity to work with some amazing international artists. This experience has really enhanced my creative development, allowing me to start new networks and to grow, both as an individual and as a member of Young Identity.

A WORD FROM OUR ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BABA SAYS Contact is an arts organisation, but it is also a charity. In these challenging times we need your support more than ever to allow us to continue to provide opportunities for young people across Greater Manchester.

Selling out just one show in our main space pays for an outreach project in the local community, bringing art to young people who may never have had the opportunity to take part before.

There are many exciting possibilities that lie ahead for us. With your help we can move 2

forward with our goal to become a leader in artistic innovation, inspiring young people to take creative journeys and to use technology to connect to the rest of the world.

EVENT KEY

FILM

Baba Israel Artistic Director/ Chief Executive PS Don’t forget to check out my regular video blogs by signing up to our e-list at www.contact-theatre.org and you can follow me on Twitter @babaisrael

COMEDY

ART / EXHIBITION

OPEN MIC

FREE ACT

DANCE

GET INVOLVED!

PERFORMANCE

EARLY BIRD OFFER

MUSIC

REGULAR EVENT

NEW WRITING

SPOKEN WORD

QR CODES The black & white panels that you can see on the back cover are QR Codes. If you have an i-Phone or smart phone you can use these to access more info about us online. All you need is the correct software. Go to mobile-barcodes.com/qr-code-software to find out what the best QR reader is for your phone.

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SUPPORT US

IT’S YOUR TURN

There are many ways to support us. Buying a ticket to see a show is just one.

DONATIONS You can donate to help our work with young people at www.justgiving.com/contact-theatre/donate or call our Head of Development on 0161 274 0657 if you would like to know more.

Charity number 501953.

TALK ABOUT US! Help spread the word about Contact. Talk about us on and offline. If you’ve seen a good show please tell your friends!

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

Our spaces are also available to hire for conferences, parties and meetings. For more information and prices, contact hires@contact-theatre.org

CONTACT YOUNG ACTORS COMPANY (CYAC)

SAVE YOUR CASH We are committed to keeping our ticket prices as low as possible. Most shows cost less than a visit to the cinema and we don’t charge any booking fees!

Some shows have an Early Bird ticket offer….book your ticket one calendar month before the event and get it HALF PRICE. Check out individual event details to see if they are part of the deal.

We also offer group discounts (book ten tickets and get one of them free) and concessions (for anyone: under 18, with a disability, unemployed or full-time students and pensioners).

WE ARE ONLINE

FREEACT IS CHANGING

Check out our photos, videos, Audioboos, offers and more at: www.contact-theatre.org

Our free ticket scheme for under 26s was subsidised until Feb 2011. Over the last two years it’s given thousands of young people the chance to see amazing theatre. So we can continue to provide free tickets we’ve had to change the scheme slightly. From 1 February 2011 current and new FreeAct members will receive one free ticket for every ticket bought. So bring a friend and you still get your free ticket!

If you’re under 26 and you’ve not registered already, get on it…email us at info@contact-theatre.org or pop in and pick up a form. www.freeact.co.uk

Follow us www.twitter.com/contactmcr Become a fan at Facebook.com/contactmcr Flickr.com/contactmcr YouTube.com/contactmcr

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SPACE HIRE

Check in for special offers at Foursquare.com/venue/201073

Space 1, capacity: 290

Space 2, capacity: 80

Space 5: foyer

CYAC work with renowned directors to produce three shows every year. If you’re 15 to 25 this is your chance to explore your creativity, push your abilities and be part of one of the country’s leading young actors companies. Auditions are held three times a year. This season’s are: Wed 2 Feb: 6pm to 9:30pm, Thu 3 Feb: 6pm to 9.30pm, Sat 5 Feb: 1pm to 5pm.

MONDAY DROP Mondays from 14 February to 4 April, 7pm to 9pm, FREE Aged 13 to 19? Want to get on stage but not sure what it’s all about or how to get involved? Then drop in to our regular Monday night sessions and learn from performers, actors and directors.

No experience necessary.

TECHNIQUE Mondays from 14 February to 4 April, 7pm to 9pm, FREE Aged 15 to 25? Want to get under the skin of a performance and find out what happens behind the scenes? Then come along to our regular Monday night sessions led by our team of professional technicians.

Sharpening SAWDS & Contact present

FREESTYLE MONDAYS Every Monday, evening, FREE (Includes RAW performance every fourth Monday) Freestyle Mondays is a free session where MCs, beat boxers, poets, and vocalists jam together. It’s a night of ciphers, freestyle games, and lyrical dexterity.

Come and freshen up your freestyle flow!

WORKSHOPS Check out the show pages for details about other workshops available.

Call 0161 274 0600 for more info and to book any of the above.

MEDIA DROP Every Wednesday and Thursday from 9 February to 31 March, 6pm to 9pm, FREE (Performance on 1 April, 6:30pm, FREE) New digital music project welcoming producers, MCs, vocalists, rappers, poets, DJs and more working together to produce, record, and create. Have work performed live, and streamed online. Auditions take place on Wed 26 & Thu 27 January, 6pm to 8pm.

Contact Young Actors Company

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ART, FOOD & MUSIC CONTACT LOUNGE Our bar is a special spot for eating, drinking, chatting, creating, meeting and general lounging.

We serve up late breakfasts, chilled lunches and evening beats. We’ve got interesting beers, amazing coffee, homemade soup, salads, ciabattas, burgers, curries and pastas. And we reckon our prices are pretty good too.

Our kitchen is open Monday to Friday: 10am to 4pm.

ART Our Lounge and foyer spaces have regularly changing exhibitions by homegrown and international artists.

To Fri 4 February 2011

BLACK STYLES UK BY PYMCA An exploration of the immeasurable impact of Black subculture on all aspects of British life from PYMCA (Photographic Youth Music Culture Archive). www.pymca.com To Fri 4 February 2011

FUTURE FIRES: REDISCOVERING THE FACES OF BOLTON A photographic exhibition by Sophie Willan exploring the personal heritage of twenty Boltonians.

Part of Future Fires.

MUSIC

Contact Lounge

We host club nights including Community, Dub & Bass, and **NEW** for 2011, Off The Hook. We also have DJs in our bar on Thursday and Friday evenings, and host a monthly jam session, Improvise.

FUTURE FIRES Our Future Fires programme provides opportunities to young and emerging artists from across Greater Manchester to design, plan and deliver their own community arts projects. Over the course of a year the programme provides tailored training, mentoring, support and funding.

We are looking for Future Fires aged 18 to 30 to be involved in the programme from April 2011 to March 2012.

For more info or to apply contact neilalexander@contact-theatre.org

Jan 2011 to Jan 2012 QUEER CONTACT RESIDENCY:

QASIM RI ZA SHAHEEN

PRODIGAL SON At the beginning of a year-long residency, Prodigal Son will showcase Qasim’s stunning photographic, film and performance work, alongside the work of young people participating in his workshop programme.

As part of the launch of the exhibition and residency during Queer Contact, look out for short films and intimate performance as Qasim’s work begins to inhabit every space in the building.

Qasim’s work has been shown across the world including the Liverpool Biennial, Victoria and Albert Museum, British Council showcases of Live Art in Denmark, Spain and Belgium, and at Alhamra National Gallery and Rohtas Gallery, Pakistan.

His recent works have included commissions for Queer Up North International Festival, Brighton International Festival 2010 and most recently at Gallery Oldham with his exhibition Nine Acts of Reciprocity.

Qasim is currently an associate artist at the greenroom in Manchester. www.qasimrizashaheen.com Tue 8 Feb, 5:30pm to 7pm, FREE

PRODIGAL SON EXHIBITION LAUNCH Tue 8 Feb, 9:15pm, FREE

PRODIGAL SON: Q&A Learn more about Qasim Riza Shaheen’s artistic practice, the thoughts around Prodigal Son and what’s in store for the upcoming residency at Contact.

See the Queer Contact listings for more events.

Application deadline: Tue 5 Feb. Interviews: Mar 1, 2 & 4, 6pm to 9pm

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Qasim Riza Shaheen

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REGULAR EVENTS SCRIPTWORKS

IMPROVISE

MIXED MOVEMENT

Every Monday, 6pm to 8:30pm, FREE 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 www.scriptworks.net

2nd Monday of the month 14 Feb, 14 Mar, 11 Apr, evening, FREE A jam night with a difference as singers, musicians, MCs and beat boxers jam with our house band.

Hosted by guest musicians.

1st Saturday of the month 5 Feb, 5 Mar (Flying Solo Festival special at greenroom), 2 Apr, evening, FREE Created and hosted by DawN Crandell.

Manchester’s ONLY open stage event for dancers, with solos to improvised music and spontaneous duets.

All styles welcome.

Book slots via dawndusk@me.com

DawN’s MinD, Studio 25 and Contact present

MIXED MOVEMENT DANCE CLASS Every Monday, 7pm to 8:30pm, £5 Studio 25, 25 Church St, Northern Qtr, Manchester Dance classes for all levels, led by DawN Crandell, who draws on her background in contemporary, West African and House choreography, alongside strong improvisational skills. Class includes set choreographed phrases of “mixed movement” and sections of improvisation. If you take this class you can sign up and perform at (or just come along and watch) Mixed Movement. Ages 15+.

RAW (RHYTHM & WORDS) 4th Monday of the month 28 Feb (The Freestyle Remix), 28 Mar, FREE An open mic that welcomes poets, vocalists, and MCs. Hosted by Martin Visceral (Pen-ultimate) with DJ Jomo. The night also features the freestyle pyramid competition with prizes including ticket giveaways and more.

VERBALLY CHALLENGED 1st Wednesday of the month 2 Feb (7:30pm), £5 2 Mar, (6:30pm — Flying Solo Festival special), FREE Each month we set a new group of writers a different creative challenge. Who wins? YOU decide.

COMMUNITY 1st Saturday of the month 5 Feb, 5 Mar, 2 Apr, 11pm ‘til late, £10/7 A monthly New York influenced dance music party combining House Music with Soul, Funk, Jazz, African, Latin, Dub & Electronic. Hosted

by DJ Irfan Rainy with DJ Levi Live plus special guests. Featuring DJ Franco Ze and Republic of Swing Samba Group (Mar).

Over 18s only.

OFF THE HOOK 2nd Saturday of the month 12 Feb, 12 Mar, 9 Apr, 11pm ‘til late, £5 Manchester’s premier queer R&B party finds a new home. With DJ Anthony Crank and special guests. Over 18s only.

DUB & BASS 4th Saturday of the month 22 Jan, 26 Feb, 26 Mar, 23 Apr, 11pm ‘til late, £8/6 Dub & Bass is a reggae and dub night hosted by the Dub Smugglers, with special guests.

Over 18s only.

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Improvise

Mixed Movement

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www.contact-theatre.org tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

JANUARY / FEBRUARY Tue 18 to Sat 29 Jan, £8/6. See two shows for £12/9 or all shows for £35 with festival pass Library Theatre Company and Contact present

re:play FESTIVAL 2011 Library Theatre Company joins forces with Contact for the first time to present Manchester’s fourth re:play Festival, bringing together the most exciting new fringe theatre from the last 12 months in Manchester and Salford, originally produced in non-traditional venues such as Studio Salford, Taurus and at the 24:7 Theatre Festival.

The festival includes the re:play debate hosted by Contact’s Baba Israel; and First Stage, which offers writers, devisers and performers the chance to test ideas under development in front of a public audience. New for 2011, Pitch Party will offer young artists the chance to pitch an idea for a new work to the Library Theatre Company and Contact.

One winning idea will be chosen to go forward for development.

Re:Con — Contact’s Young Programming Team, have assisted in the curation of this year’s festival.

See www.contact-theatre.org for dates & times of shows.

BEAT SURRENDER

by Brian M Clarke and Tom Elliott Beat Productions, Directed by Helen Parry BE RAIN FOR ME by Susi Wrenshaw Happystorm Theatre, Directed by Matthew Ganley ISLANDERS by Dick Curran Farnes Productions, Directed by Clare Howdon MAKE BELIEVE by Luke Walker and Sally Lawton Astral Twins, Directed by Alyx Tole THE NATIONAL EXPRESS Written and Directed by Stephanie Ridings

Company Chameleon and Contact present

LAST ORDERS

by Sarah McDonald Hughes Monkeywood Theatre, Directed by Martin Gibbons JB SHORTS Real Life Theatre Company A SELFISH BOY by Christopher Reason, Directed by Mary Cunningham WATCHING THE DETECTIVES by James Quinn, Directed by Mark Babych and James Quinn GOING TO EXTREMES by Lisa Holdsworth, Directed by Trevor MacFarlane

Thu 3 Feb, 7:30pm, £4 The Talent Society and Contact present

ECLECTIC MEETS CONTACT An evening dedicated to showcasing Manchester’s finest talent, Eclectic meets Contact focuses on opening the doors for students to express their creativity, offering the audience an alternative live music night. Featuring live music from special guests Extra Curricular, a nine-piece Hip Hop soul collective, plus a wide range of diverse acts including spoken word and dance.

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Sat 5 Feb, 8pm, £12/7

ONE NIGHT THERE by Bhean Ali (English Adaptation by Crystal Stewart) Community Arts North West, North West Playwrights and Kurdistan Art and Culture Directed by Borhan Mohammadi

Extra Curricular

The World Premiere of two new dance theatre works by internationally acclaimed Company Chameleon are at the heart of 7.

Second Grace, choreographed by Anthony Missen, explores the struggle to find one’s own truth, and Shattered, choreographed by Kevin Edward Turner, explores the unpicking of memory and circumstance.

The company will also be working with local emerging dancers to develop and present short solo works as part of the evening. www.companychameleon.com Supported by Arts Council England, Dance Base, Zion Arts Centre and The Brindley.

Company Chameleon

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www.contact-theatre.org tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

FEBRUARY

Mon 7 to Sat 12 Feb, various times, various prices Contact celebrates LGBT History Month with the best of new theatre, cabaret, spoken word, visual art, music and dance.

Contact presents Contact’s annual celebration of queer arts and culture returns with a packed programme of events commemorating LGBT History Month.

QUEERCONTACT

Mon 7 & Tue 8 Feb, 6pm to 9pm, FREE

OUTSPOKEN WORKSHOPS Want to find your voice as an Outspoken poet?

Dominic Berry and Danez Smith lead two evenings of performance poetry workshops. Apply with 40 lines of verse to outspoken@contact-theatre.org

by Fri 31 January 2011.

Thu 10 Feb, 8pm, £10/6

Tue 8 & Wed 9 Feb, 7:30pm, £5

PETER GRIST AND COMPANY

SHORT CUTS: WOMEN & GENDER THEORY, JUDITH BUTLER AND OTHER BEDTIME STORIES… Work-in-progress new theatre double-bill from Chris Hoyle (Newspaper Boy); and poets J.Fergus Evans ([IN] MEMORIAM, Belief-O-Matic), Jackie Hagen (Belief-O-Matic) and Gemma Bradely (A Crow Of Murders). Supported by AXM. Wed 9 Feb, 9pm, £5

OUTSPOKEN Dominic Berry hosts a night of alternative voices featuring headliner Rosie Lugosi, the Outspoken poets, Regie Cabico (via live streaming from New York) and Danez Smith (First Wave Hip Hop Ensemble & Contacting the World 2010).

Thu 10 & Fri 11 Feb, 7:30pm, £5

SHORT CUTS: THE SECOND COMING FOR THOSE WHO PRAY IN CLOSETS Work-in-progress new theatre double-bill from Chad McGitchie (Undone, BadCheck Productions) and Danez Smith. Supported by AXM. 12

Outspoken

Peter Grist

Eat Your Heart Out

Local dance sensations Peter Grist and Company return with a triple bill of new exhilarating dance pieces that explore the gritty underworld of Manchester life. A must see for any dance lover.

Fri 11 Feb, 8pm, £10/6

EAT YOUR HEART OUT Eat Your Heart Out returns to Manchester for another dose of experimental cabaret, left-field drag and aggressive dance. Scottee brings his band of merry (wo)men to the North and aims to create an evening like no other, combining the very best of the local Manc’ performance scene with a helping of London, San Paulo & Tokyo talent. www.eyho.org.uk

‘A much needed revitalization in the overexposed medium of cabaret theatre’ WhatsOnStage *****

Sat 12 Feb, 4pm to 5pm, FREE Qasim Riza Shaheen presents

FATHER I HAVE SINNED I, II AND III

Danez Smith

Qasim Riza Shaheen

Sat 12 Feb, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, FREE Qasim Riza Shaheen presents Suni Dhew, William Hopkins and Tom Murphy

TRACES OF A DISCIPLE ASTRAY An intimate performance for one person.

Limited capacity of 24 individual encounters.

Sat 12 Feb, 4pm to 7pm, FREE

QUEER RIOT Fight against the cuts and help create queer culture in a time of austerity. Come to Contact for three hours of outrageous and outraged local feminist and queer performers, discussion, workshops and networking run by the some of the organisers of Ladyfest Manchester and Queeruption (Manchester).

Sat 12 Feb, 11pm ‘til late, £5 REACT presents

OFF THE HOOK — QUEER CONTACT CLOSING PARTY Manchester’s premier queer R&B club night brings Queer Contact to a close. Over 18s only.

Triple-bill film installation during the afternoon of Queer Riot. Booking is not required.

Father I have Sinned I,II and III will also be screened alternately throughout the Queer Contact week before the performances in Space 1 & Space 2.

www.lgbthistorymonth.org 13

www.contact-theatre.org tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

FEBRUARY Wed 16 to Sat 19 Feb, 8pm. Thu 17 & Fri 18, 2pm, £12/7 BSL interpreted performance, Thu 17, 8pm. Post-show chat back, Thu 17, eve.

Thu 24 Feb, 8pm, £8/6

Mind the Gap presents an award-winning adaptation of John Steinbeck’s

Back from the London leg of their UK tour with A Night on the Tiles, Pen-ultimate return to Contact for one night only with an evening of poetry, verse and music. www.pen-ultimate.net

OF MICE AND MEN An extraordinary tale of friendship, loyalty and the power of dreams.

By Mike Kenny

George and Lennie are drifters who have only each other and their shared search for the American Dream.

George is the sharp little guy who looks out for Lennie.

Lennie is his big-hearted companion who, unaware of his own strength, seems unable to keep out of trouble. ’Powerful, daring and extremely moving’ The Stage Mind the Gap is an award-winning theatre company that works with learning disabled and non-disabled artists as equals. This original and inspiring re-telling was the first to feature a full cast of actors with a learning disability and was staged to wide critical acclaim by Mind the Gap in 2000, 2001 and 2005. www.mind-the-gap.org.uk

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Of Mice And Men

AN EVENING WITH PEN-ULTIMATE

Fri 25 Feb, 7:30pm, FREE Contact presents

FIELDS OF GREY A scratch sharing of a new play by Avaes Mohammad and Mtume Gant, directed by Baba Israel.

In Iraq 2010, an American soldier and a resistance fighter have just shot one another. Returning to consciousness they find themselves in a cell with a host of people watching them. Is this a prison?

A military court room? Purgatory? Afraid and desperate they begin judging themselves, and each another, and, gradually, all that begins as black and white becomes increasingly grey.

Sat 26 Feb, 7:30pm, £8/5

PLAYBACK SALAAM A night of spoken word, film, and improvisational theatre exploring the British Muslim experience.

The night will feature poetry from Lyricalligraphy, Avaes Mohammad and Yusra Warsama.

Pen-ultimate

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www.contact-theatre.org tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

FEBRUARY / MARCH Mon 28 Feb to Sat 5 Mar, various times and prices

FLYING SOLO F E S T I V A L

The ability of a single artist to captivate and hold an audience is one of the great performing traditions.

The Flying Solo Festival celebrates this skill with a bold and diverse week of performances including edgy live art, haunting Hip Hop theatre, international comedy, spoken word, music and dance.

Mon 28 Feb, 8pm, FREE

Wed 2 to Sat 5 Mar, 9pm, £10/6

RAW: THE FREESTYLE REMIX

SEX IDIOT

Join Contact’s artistic director and legendary freestyle MC Baba Israel; New York Hip Hop artist Core Rhythm and DJ Jomo for a night celebrating the art of the solo MC. Experience the Freestyle Pyramid, The Story Challenge, The Supernatural Game, The Twitter Round and other challenges… and have the chance of winning one of many prizes, including a £100 grand prize.

Bryony Kimmings is a Sex Idiot. This year, following her first STI test, 29 year-old Bryony discovered she had a common sexual disease. Not one for looking back, she was faced with the arduous task of retracing her sexual footsteps.

Join Bryony on a tour through her true-life sexual misadventures and self-realisations, told in a show somewhere between homemade pop song, fashion show, ornithological nature trail and an ode to love lost. Suitable for ages 18+ Supported by The Junction, ESCALATOR & Arts Council England, East.

Total Theater Award Winner 2010 — Emerging Company

www.bryonykimmings.com

‘…Cancel everything to see this show.

Absolutely wonderful.’ ***** Outstanding Show, Fringe Review

Core Rhythm

‘Bryony completely captivated me with her unique, charming and wonderfully eccentric show. It was my absolute highlight of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival!’

Kate Pearson, Programme Manager, Contact

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Sex Idiot

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www.contact-theatre.org tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

MARCH Mon 28 Feb to Sat 5 Mar, various times and prices

FLYING SOLO F E S T I V A L Wed 2 Mar, 6:30pm, FREE

VERBALLY CHALLENGED: THE MONOLOGUES A Flying Solo Festival special featuring five solo performances.

Wed 2 Mar, 7:30pm, £10/6 Breaking Cycles presents

THE DEVIL HAS QUENTIN’S HEART Back by popular demand for one night only!

Welcome to the turbulent world of Quentin Forrest and his quest for salvation. Quentin had it all, riding high as a trader on Wall Street but now he’s paid the price for success and the devil has his heart.

Starring one of the UK pioneers of Hip Hop theatre, Benji Reid this is a modern-day tragedy presented as a twisted, funky and perverse musical that explodes the nature of performance, storytelling and dance. www.breakingcycles.co.uk Thu 3 Mar, 7:30pm, £10/6

THE BIRD THAT LOOKS LIKE 2 MUSTACHES KISSING Written and performed by Regie Cabico A young Filipino American’s dream to escape the Southern tobacco farms of Maryland and his Catholic hypochondriac mother and move to New York City to become a poet.

The latest play by three time US National Poetry Slam Finalist Regie Cabico spins this autobiographical tale with Godiva dates, Skype sex and stand up comedy.

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With support from Manchester’s very own Jonathan Mayor, the forgotten Bollywood love-child of Hinge and Bracket, Kenneth Williams and Eddie Izzard.

‘A true Diva of our times.’ Canal-Street.co.uk Fri 4 Mar, 7pm, FREE

FLYING SOLO COMMISSION: PITCH NIGHT Six artists will be selected to take part in a week of masterclasses with artists from the Flying Solo Festival including Regie Cabico, Bryony Kimmings, Benji Reid and Baba Israel. The six pitch performances will be presented and one lucky winner will be awarded rehearsal space, cash to develop their piece and a place to show it at next year’s Flying Solo Festival.

In addition, they will receive mentoring support from London based producers Fuel, with advice on how to pitch to venues and find an audience.

To apply for the Flying Solo Commission answer the following question: Why is it the right time for you to fly solo? Please send your answer along with examples of your work to katepearson@contact-theatre.org Sat 5 Mar, 10pm, FREE At the greenroom, Whitworth Street West

MIXED MOVEMENT SOLO SPECIAL In association with Turn Festival (greenroom, hÅb and Dance Initiative Greater Manchester) Hosted by DawN Crandell with music by Baba Israel and Irfan Rainy. Dancers from all styles can book an ‘open stage’ slot to improvise solo. Sign up quickly as slots will go fast! Contact dawndusk@me.com

Regie Cabico

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www.contact-theatre.org tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

MARCH ‘A beautifully crafted piece of no-frills physical theatre’ Lyn Gardner, The Guardian

Thu 17 Mar, 7:30pm, FREE

Sat 19 Mar, 7:30pm, £5/3

PLAYSPACE R&D COMMISSION PITCH

SHOWREAL

A pitch party for ideas combining gaming technology with live performance. Last year’s commission Super Political Street Fighter was performed at Contact and the Hide & Seek Festival at the National Theatre, London. If you would like to apply please DM @babaisrael on Twitter with 140 characters that sum up your concept.

Emerging performers from all art-forms have the chance to showcase innovative new work, featuring film, performance, music and comedy.

Showreal Auditions will be held Sat 26 Feb, 3pm to 7pm.

To apply contact Kelly Morgan at kellymorgan@ contact-theatre.org

Fri 18 Mar, 7pm, FREE Akemi presents

LIVE ART VOL.2 A showcase of talent featuring performance, comedy, poetry, video and interactive installations.

Thu 10 to Sat 12 Mar, 7:30pm, £10/6

The University of Manchester presents

Keepers

The Plasticine Men present

K E E P E R S Two hundred years ago, far off the Welsh coast, one man faced an ordeal so diabolical it would go down in maritime legend, changing the way lighthouses were run forever.

Using original live music and little more than a ladder and a trapdoor, The Plasticine Men conjure up the confines of the infamous Smalls Lighthouse and the stormy companionship of its two keepers. www.theplasticinemen.co.uk

Mon 21 to Sat 26 Mar, various times and prices

PA L AV E R F E ST I VA L Celebrating language and performance this year’s Palaver Festival includes a diverse selection of performances, talks and showcases from a number of schools and societies from The University of Manchester.

Mon 21 Mar, 8pm, £8/5 The University of Manchester’s Middle Eastern Studies presents

THE STALKER by Ruti Worrall Presented in Hebrew, Arabic and English.

Tue 22 to Wed 23 Mar, 8pm, £8/5 The University of Manchester’s French Studies presents

EDGARD ET SA BONNE by Eugène Labiche Presented in French.

Wed 23 to Sat 26 Mar, 7:30pm, £8/5 The University of Manchester’s German Society presents

‘A performance that sparks the imagination and reminds us of the magic of live theatre’ Baba Israel, Artistic Director, Contact 20

KING KONGS TÖCHTER by Theresia Walser Presented in German. Supported by the Goethe Institute.

There will also be additional music and performance showcases during the festival week.

See www.contact-theatre.org for full details.

Palaver Festival

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ACCESS

MARCH / APRIL

www.contact-theatre.org tickets & info: 0161 274 0600

Wed 30 Mar to Sat 2 Apr, 8pm. Thu 1 Apr, 2pm, £10/6 BSL interpreted performance, Thu 1 Apr, 8pm.

Shatterbox Theatre presents

F A I R T R A D E

This guide 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.

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

Fair Trade was inspired by the Journey Against Sex Trafficking campaign, an art installation set up by Sam Roddick (daughter of Body Shop founder and activist Anita Roddick) and Academy Award winning actress, Emma Thompson. This is a dynamic and visceral piece of theatre combining drama, music, physical theatre and comedy to help bring the reality of the sex trade industry to the forefront of social consciousness. www.shatterbox.co.uk

‘I’m extremely proud to be involved in this production; it’s one of the best scripts I’ve seen in years.

Sex trafficking is a hugely important subject; I believe we need as much art as we can get to help people understand what’s going on out there’

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

GETTING HERE Check out the map on the back cover to see our local area.

Emma Thompson

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.

Car Park: 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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Fair Trade

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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 TICKETS 24hr booking: www.contact-theatre.org On the phone: 0161 274 0600 In person: Our box office is open Mon to Fri, 10am to 6pm Sat, 3pm to 6pm (Closes 7:30pm or 8pm on show nights) GROUP DEALS To take advantage of our great group offer of every 10th person FREE please call Nikki Smith on 0161 274 0602 or email nikkismith@contact-theatre.org

THANK YOU

Reece Williams: Image courtesy of Community Arts North West © Shirlaine Forrest Registered Charity Number: 501953 All info correct at time of going to print. Check contact-theatre.org for up-to-date info.

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