contactmcr.com | 0161 274 0600 | @contactmcr | /contactmcr
Theatre | Dance | Spoken Word | Comedy Music | Art | Workshops | Café Bar | Free WiFi
W H A T ’ S O N | S E P – D E C 2 0 1 6
THANK YOU WELCOME
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Thanks to our Funders, Sponsors and Supporters, and all who have made donations to Contact online and in person.
Core Funders:
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.
Awards:
Project Funders:
DO IT FOR REALREAL
Project Partners:
Peter Kershaw Trust
THANK YOU WELCOME
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
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: [email protected] I 0161 274 0657.
SEP – DEC 2016 AT CONTACTThis 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 hard-hitting 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 lessBook 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
Mates ratesBook 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.
Matt Fenton © Joel Chester Fildes
Sat 1 Oct, 11am – 5pm. Free. All ages.
FUN PALACESJoin 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/funpalacesThe 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
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OCT
© Fun Palaces
Fun forfamilies
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600OCT
Tue 4 & Wed 5 Oct, 7.30pm. £15 / £10 conc. Over 12s. Post-show talk on 4 Oct.
SPYMONKEY: THE COMPLETE DEATHSDirected and adapted by Tim Crouch.
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
© John Hunter for RULER
BSL performance
Wed 5 Oct, 7.30pm
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Thu 6 – Sat 8 Oct, various times/prices. Over 15s.
BLACK GOLD ARTS FESTIVAL 2016A 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: [email protected]
Supported using public funding by Arts Council England. Supported by STUN, Commonword, Contact and Divergency.
| bgafestival.com I #BGAF2016
OCT
Design © Si Hands
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600OCT
Sat 8 Oct, 7pm. £13 / £7 conc. Over 15s. CONTACT AND CULTUREWORD PRESENT
THE 8TH BLACK AND ASIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE:LEMN SISSAYLemn 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
© Benji Reid
MANCHESTER LITERATURE FESTIVAL 2016The best in contemporary writing from across the world. manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk
CURTAIN-RAISERA series of short monologues around the themes of family and adoption will open the show, before Lemn Sissay’s performance.
POST-SHOW OPEN MIC Join us at the after-party for music and an open mic stage.
Presented by Cultureword and Black Gold Arts Festival.
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Mon 10 – Wed 12 Oct, 7.30pm. £15 / £10 conc. Over 16s (contains full nudity). CONTACT AND ARTREACH PRESENT
BELARUS FREE THEATRE: BURNING DOORSPart 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
© Nigina Beroeva
OCT
POST-SHOW TALKSEach 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.
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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 GARDENSUK 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
OCT
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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 FESTIVALContact 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
Sat 22 Oct, 7.30pm. £11 / £6 conc. Over 12s.
YOUNG IDENTITY: STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTSManchester’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
© Ian Bobb Part ofManchesterLiterature
Festival 2016
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600OCT
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
BEDTIME STORIESWritten 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
© David Pickens
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.
Fun forfamilies
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OCT / NOV
Mon 31 Oct – Fri 4 Nov, 7pm.Mon 7 – Fri 11 Nov, 7pm. £11 / £6 conc. All ages.
SHAKESPEARE SCHOOLS FESTIVALCelebrating 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 WAHome 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
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600OCT / NOV
Fri 4 & Sat 5 Nov, various times. £7 / £5 conc. Over 15s.
ANDY FIELD: LOOKOUTCommissioned 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
© Leonie Gasson
NOV
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Wed 16 & Thu 17 Nov, 8pm. £13 / £7 conc. All ages. Post-show talk on Wed 16 (BSL).
CANDOCO DANCE COMPANYA 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
NOV
Stay after the show and
dance at Mixed Movement
Thu 17 Nov (see P20)
© Hugo Glendinning
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Tue 22 – Thu 24 Nov, 7.30pm. £15 / £10. Over 12s. Post-show talk on 23 Nov.
OPEN CLASP THEATRE COMPANY: KEY CHANGEThe 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
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600NOV
© Keith Pattison
BSL performance
Thu 24 Nov, 7.30pm
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NOV
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 SPECIALJam 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
© Manuel Vason
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
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NOV DEC
Wed 7 & Thu 8 Dec, 8pm. £15 / £10 conc. Over 12s. Post-show talk on 7 Dec.
GARY CLARKE COMPANY: COALMarking 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
© Joe Armitage
DEC
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© The Graphic Design House
DEC
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
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)
Fun forfamilies
CONTACT AND SLUNG LOW PRESENT
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+.
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REGULAR EVENTS
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
Thu 17 Nov, 10pm. Free. All ages. CONTACT AND DAWN’S MIND PRESENTS
MIXED MOVEMENTHosted by Keisha Thompson.
Open stage event for dancers. Turn up and just watch, or let the music grab you and join in.
Email [email protected] to take part.
| #mixedmovement
Fri 18 Nov, 7pm. £7/4. Over 12s.
YOUNG IDENTITY: ONE MIC STANDJoin 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 [email protected] to take part.
| youngidentity.org | #onemicstand
Fri 25 Nov, 8.30pm (8pm doors). £12 / £8 conc. Over 18s.
CAKE TIN FOUNDATION PRESENTS
MOTHER’S RUINMother'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
© Joel Chester Fildes
© Joel Chester Fildes
© Saquib Chowdhury
© Fannar Sveinn Gudmundsson
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contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600EXHIBITION
Thu 22 Sep – Sat 17 Dec, open daily (not Sun). Free.
BENJI REID: A THOUSAND WORDSBenji 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
© Benji Reid
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THE AGENCYThe 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.
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 [email protected]
‘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
CREATIVE EXPERTSContact’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.
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 [email protected] or call 0161 274 0628.
'An exceptionally creative and imaginative programme’ North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT)
I contactmcr.com/creativeexperts
PROJECTS
© Joel Chester Fildes © Joel Chester Fildes
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CONTACT IS... CHANGINGcontactmcr.com
tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
CAPITAL PROJECTContact’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 [email protected] or follow the project on Twitter at #MakingContact.
© Shepherd Robson
Capital Supporters
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EDUCATION
GROUPS
It really couldn’t be easier to organise a group visit to Contact. Let us look after you:
• Groups of 10 or more make great savings on shows — every 10th person comes free.
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.
If you are a teacher, sign up to find out more about our education activities via [email protected] or call 0161 274 0600.
© Joel Chester Fildes © Joel Chester Fildes
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EDUCATION
ARTS AWARD
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.
As an Arts Award Supporter we can offer:
• 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
ARTS AWARD DROP
Weekly, Free. Ages 13 – 25. Wed, 5pm – 6.30pm, 3 Oct – 30 Nov.
Work your way through Bronze, Silver and Gold Arts Awards to explore the arts, develop your skills and be a creative leader.
contactmcr.com tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
© Joel Chester Fildes
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JOIN IN
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
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
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
Young people are at the heart of everything we do. Don’t just watch, get involved!
© Joel Chester Fildes
© Joel Chester Fildes
© Stephen Otosio
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JOIN INcontactmcr.com
tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
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
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
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
© Joel Chester Fildes
© Joel Chester Fildes
© Shirley May
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 [email protected]
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GETTING HERECheck out the map to see our local area.
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.
Cars: We do not have a car park but there are several nearby. Please check our website or call Box Office for details.
For the latest information and maps to help you plan your visit please go to contactmcr.com/visit
CONTACT LOUNGE AND SPACE HIRE
SPACE HIREOur building is available to hire for conferences, festivals, showcases, parties, meetings and 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: [email protected] | 0161 274 0628.
| contactmcr.com/spacehire
RNCM
MANCHESTERMUSEUM
M15 6JA
MANCHESTER UNIVERSITYSTUDENTS UNION
UNIVERSITY OFMANCHESTER
BOOTH ST WEST
MANCHESTERACADEMY
DEVAS ST
DOVER ST
PORTSMOUTH ST
BLYTON ST
BRISBANE ST
SPA ST
DILWORTH ST
GRAFTON ST
DILWORTH ST
CEC
IL ST
OXFORD ROAD STATION /CITY CENTRE OXFORD RD
RUSHOLME/FALLOW
FIELD
CONTACT LOUNGE Mon/Tue: 11am – 9pm. Wed – Fri: 11am – late. Food served: Mon – Fri, 11am – 4pm. Sat: 3pm ‘til late for performances.
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.
For more info please contact: [email protected] | 0161 274 0628.
@contactlounge | #contactlounge
/contactlounge
© Joel Chester Fildes
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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.
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
VISIT / ACCESScontactmcr.com
tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
FEELING SOCIABLE?Please help us spread the word about Contact!
@contactmcr
/contactmcr
/contactmcr
/contactmcr
/contactmcr
SPACES
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CONTACT LOUNGE
BUILDING
ON LOCATION
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.
• 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.
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SEASON AT A GLANCE
SEPTEMBER
Day Event Time Page
Mon 26 Sep RAW (Rhythm and Words) 8.00pm 20
NOVEMBER
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
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
31
SEASON AT A GLANCEcontactmcr.com
tickets & info: 0161 274 0600
DECEMBER
Day Event Time Page
Wed 7 Dec Gary Clarke Company: COAL 8.00pm 17
Thu 8 Dec Gary Clarke Company: COAL 8.00pm 17
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
Tue 20 Dec Contact and Slung Low: The Siege of Christmas 6.30pm 18-19
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 Sep- Sat 17 Dec
Benji Reid: A Thousand Words Open daily (not Sun)
21
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
Registered Charity Number: 501953All 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
Thank you
Thank you to our funders, partners and supporters, and all of the people who have donated online and in person.
Find UsContact, 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
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