Theatre and performance in Greater Manchester & other places.
22 August 2019. The Den, Stalybridge Civic Hall. Using Thomas More's book, published in 1516, as their starting point, the Royal Exchange Young Company explore the concept of Utopia in their latest show. In these uncertain times, it seems only natural to search for alternatives, wish for something that's not broken, and perhaps even dream [...]
When HOME proudly announced three "world premiere productions" as part of its 2019 theatre season you'd be forgiven for assuming that those shows would be premiering in front of local Manchester audiences. However, following that announcement back in November last year, it gradually emerged that the majority of those world premieres were being saved up [...]
18 April 2019. Royal Exchange, Manchester. "You are invited to attend a Surprise Leaving Party for Amy Waters (Postwoman Extraordinaire) at Albion Close Community Centre". 'Guests' find themselves seated at big round tables. There's plenty of bunting and balloons, and the organisers make sure you've got your silly pointy hat on and party poppers at [...]
When Leeds Playhouse announced the formation of its first young company in April last year it was a bit of a wake up call for me. The Playhouse were looking to support a group of young people to collaborate in "making and producing bold and socially resonant work", as well providing opportunities for them to [...]
Royal Exchange Young Company. 15 August 2018. Closed for the summer, and largely deserted, North Manchester's Abraham Moss School seems an unlikely substitute for the island setting of Shakespeare's The Tempest. There's something happening in the hall, but it's not clear what. Are we being asked our names at the door or is a register [...]
Royal Exchange, Manchester. 11 & 14 April 2018. A beat. Hear it. Making music, pulsing through the body and marking time. Beats can come together to make something bigger - a song, a crowd, a symphony, a city and a show. Press START Mixtape is a collection of beats, powered by the rhythms of young [...]
Royal Exchange, Manchester. 16 August 2017. It starts with a few coded knocks, a secret phrase and a charming warm Polari welcome on our entrance... The Royal Exchange Young Company's latest production begins in a louche 1950's gay bar and then takes us on a journey of lives half-lived, secret stories and modern-day oppression. 'We [...]
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Theatre and performance in Greater Manchester & other places.
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