Archive

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RICHARD III

By William Shakespeare. Presented by Trickster Theatre.

Trickster returns to Shakespeare with Richard III, a political thriller focusing on the pursuit of power.

The notorious monarch, a ruthless villain hero, plots and schemes to become ruler and is prepared to do anything to achieve his goal.

Seduction without conscience... manipulation without hesitation... brutal murder without remorse.

DIRECTOR: Chris Neil. PERFORMED BY Cellan Scott, James Boyland, Emma Laidlaw, Gemma North, Jonathan Davies, Jaimie Scott, James Allen, Jenny May Morgan, Jeryl Burgess, Joan McGee, Lewis Marsh, Noel Wilson, Richard Sails, Sian Haslock. Music by Barry Thompson.

IN-HOUSE COMPANY

Wed 30th Apr - Sat 3rd May '08

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EMBRYO 45

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our four In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 18th Apr '08

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THE BENCH

By Joe O'Byrne. Presented by Albino Injun & Spark Plug Productions.

A tramp sleeps on it...
Someone takes pictures of kids on it...
A girl has drawn on it...
Two scroats plan a burglary on it...
A couple shag on it...
A boxer skives on it...
War veterans reminisce on it...
But who haunts it...?

It’s just a bench in the park. The one by the war memorial. A boxer, his trainer, a thief, a fake medium, a tramp, a paedophile, an artist, a widow, and a ghost. They’ve all sat on this bench at least once this year.

Before the end of the year, someone will die on it...

The Bench. A comedy of love, life and loss...

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / VISITING COMPANY

Wed 9th Apr - Sat 12th Apr '08

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THE REHEARSAL - CLINGING ON

Presented by Pigeon Theatre.

At the end of a long night’s drinking, two performers/lovers collaborate with their audience in the planning and rehearsal of a theatrical performance event.

Read the Manchester Evening News review.

This is a rehearsal of a ‘new’ show but also a rehearsal of, and attempt to come to terms with, the inevitability of the death of ourselves and our loved ones.

Pigeon Theatre are presenting Part 2 of the trilogy: Clinging On - a rehearsal for a show about the breakdown of a relationship.

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / VISITING COMPANY

Wed 26th Mar, Thu 27th Mar, Fri 28th Mar, Fri 28th Mar, Sat 29th Mar, Sat 29th Mar '08

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TO BE CONFIRMED

By Charlotte Henry. Presented by b-about-it Theatre.

Michael Jefferies is an ordinary man who knows that he wants his life to change, but can't quite put his finger on how.

B-about-it Productions would like to present 'To Be Confirmed...'. A comedy for anyone who's ever thought that there must be more to life than working in a colostomy bag factory...

DIRECTOR: Danielle Henry.

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / VISITING COMPANY

Wed 12th Mar - Sat 15th Mar '08

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EMBRYO 44

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our four In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 7th Mar '08

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EMBRYO 43

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our four In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 1st Feb '08

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KARRY OWKY - Out & About

By Michael Stewart.

An evening of bawdy comedy, though as the piece progresses and the characters collide in their grotesque and vile manner the comedy gradually bleeds out, leaving a tragic finale. It is a pub opera in the vernacular.

Karry Owky was used as a scene study at The Royal National Theatre Studio in 2001 and was nominated for the King's Cross Award for New Writing in 2004.

More info at the Library Theatre website. Read the Metro review.

DIRECTOR: Christopher Neil. PERFORMED BY Alana Gorman, Cellan Scott, Jonathan Davies, Laurie Rea, Lisa Whiteside, Noel Wilson, Stefan Bird.

THE LIBRARY THEATRE, Thu 24th Jan - Sat 26th Jan '08

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THE GAME OF TWO HALVES - Out & About

By Mike Heath. Presented by Mediamedea.

Another chance to see the hilarious comedy which premiered at Studio Salford last year. Pete and Simon are a couple. Tom, Pete's loud-mouthed work colleague, gets some tickets for the footy. The only problem is that Tom doesn't know that Pete's gay. Simon invites himself along...

Will Simon be able to "straighten" his act up for the afternoon to protect Pete? Will Pete be able to deny his own lifestyle to perpetuate his big secret with Tom?

Relationships are put to the test as Simon is forced to endure football chat, Yates wine lodge and the discovery of Pete's well-intentioned hypocrisy. A fish-out-of-water comedy about secrets, assumption and football.

DIRECTOR: Mike Heath. PERFORMED BY Dan Atkinson, Ian Curley, and Steven Mark.

THE LIBRARY THEATRE, Fri 18th Jan & Sat 19th Jan '08

STUDIO SALFORD LOTTA BOTTLE AWARDS

Our annual awards and end-of-season bash...
...
...

Sat 15th Dec '07

EMBRYO 41 & 42

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our four In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new! - Two nights, both completely different!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 7th Dec & Sat 8th Dec '07

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BEAUTIFUL HOUSE

By Cathy Crabb.

The latest from acclaimed & award winning writer Cathy Crabb. Bridgette and Ronnie have just moved in and invited their friendly and welcoming new neighbours - Otis and Paula from the flat below - to share a drink with them on their first night as a bit of light relief from their torturous and suffocating demise, now that they have swapped their much loved home in the country to live out the rest of their days in this little box of a dwelling in a run down area. A comedy with sad bits.

DIRECTOR: Neil Bell. PERFORMED BY Cathy Crabb, Francine Rees, David Slack and James Foster.

NEW WRITING / WORLD PREMIERE / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Wed 28th Nov - Sat 1st Dec '07

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THE BALACHITES

By Stanley Eveling. Presented by Cul-de-sac Theatre.

The Balachites was the inaugural production at the Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh in 1963. It is a wonderfully surreal tale of three ghosts in an old house.

The Corporal is stuck in the trenches of WW1, while Albert and Benjamin philosophise about the meaning of life. When a young couple threaten to disrupt their world, things transform... the Garden of Eden is created and destroyed and we experience a vision of Heaven and Hell. We promise a comic/cosmic blend of philosophy and mixed-media mayhem in a delightful evening of physical and visual theatre.

DIRECTOR: Eric Northey. PERFORMED BY Clyve Bonelle, Ian Curley, Martin Drew, Emily Manley, Terry Naylor.

IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Wed 14th Nov - Sat 17th Nov '07

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THE GAME OF TWO HALVES - Out & About

By Mike Heath.

Another chance to see the hilarious comedy which premiered at Studio Salford last year. Pete and Simon are a couple. Tom, Pete's loud-mouthed work colleague, gets some tickets for the footy. The only problem is that Tom doesn't know that Pete's gay. Simon invites himself along...

Will Simon be able to "straighten" his act up for the afternoon to protect Pete? Will Pete be able to deny his own lifestyle to perpetuate his big secret with Tom?

Relationships are put to the test as Simon is forced to endure football chat, Yates wine lodge and the discovery of Pete's well-intentioned hypocrisy. A fish-out-of-water comedy about secrets, assumption and football.

TAURUS BAR, Sun 11th Nov '07

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OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

By Nadia Drews.

A story for those who need to have the balls to address their issues and for those with shoes and a dress who need to have a ball! Your head throbs, your back aches, you break out in a sweat, then break out in a rash. You are cut, you are bruised, you are sick, you are tired, you open your mouth and no one hears what you say. These are symptoms of a chronic condition... WORK.

You are a shop assistant but you can't help yourself. You are a cleaner with a dirty mind. You are a mechanic who can't put it together. You are a TV repair man but you can't see how it all works. You are a teacher with no answers... you know that... we are not what we do.

And if you know that, then you'll know how it feels to be an Occupational Therapist who has a hard job managing the pain that stops her life from working and a bin man who can't sort out the rubbish... in his head.

If you long to tear off your uniform to reveal the inner you... or just something figure hugging in taffeta. If you want the world to see the man you really are... or the woman you really want to be. Sit down in the therapist's chair and listen... and look... and if you listen and look really hard you might even see... yourself.

DIRECTOR: Nadia Drews. PERFORMED BY Ian Curley, Carolyn Hood.

WORLD PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Wed 31st Oct - Sat 3rd Nov '07

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KARRY OWKY - Out & About

By Michael Stewart.

An evening of bawdy comedy, though as the piece progresses and the characters collide in their grotesque and vile manner the comedy gradually bleeds out, leaving a tragic finale. It is a pub opera in the vernacular.

Karry Owky was used as a scene study at The Royal National Theatre Studio in 2001 and was nominated for the King's Cross Award for New Writing in 2004. More Info: www.cragratstheatre.com

DIRECTOR: Christopher Neil. PERFORMED BY Alana Gorman, Cellan Scott, Jonathan Davies, Laurie Rea, Lisa Whiteside, Noel Wilson, Stefan Bird.

WORLD PREMIERE / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION / NEW WRITING

CRAGRATS MILL, HOLMFIRTH, Wed 31st Oct - Sat 3rd Nov '07

EMBRYO 39 & 40

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our four In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new! - Two nights, both completely different!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 26th Oct & Sat 27th Oct '07

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KARRY OWKY - Out & About

By Michael Stewart.

An evening of bawdy comedy, though as the piece progresses and the characters collide in their grotesque and vile manner the comedy gradually bleeds out, leaving a tragic finale. It is a pub opera in the vernacular.

Karry Owky was used as a scene study at The Royal National Theatre Studio in 2001 and was nominated for the King's Cross Award for New Writing in 2004.

DIRECTOR: Christopher Neil. PERFORMED BY Alana Gorman, Cellan Scott, Jonathan Davies, Laurie Rea, Lisa Whiteside, Noel Wilson, Stefan Bird.

WORLD PREMIERE / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION / NEW WRITING

BRADFORD LOVE APPLE, Wed 17th Oct & Thu 18th Oct '07

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KARRY OWKY

By Michael Stewart. Presented by Vista Theatre Company.

An evening of bawdy comedy, though as the piece progresses and the characters collide in their grotesque and vile manner the comedy gradually bleeds out, leaving a tragic finale. It is a pub opera in the vernacular.

Karry Owky was used as a scene study at The Royal National Theatre Studio in 2001 and was nominated for the King's Cross Award for New Writing in 2004.

DIRECTOR: Christopher Neil. PERFORMED BY Alana Gorman, Cellan Scott, Jonathan Davies, Laurie Rea, Lisa Whiteside, Noel Wilson, Stefan Bird.

WORLD PREMIERE / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION / NEW WRITING

Wed 10th Oct - Sat 13th Oct '07

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MIRACLE

By Gerry Potter. Presented by Art Bandit.

Miracles come in all shapes and sizes and this one is ten inches long...

Miracle tells the story of Will Hung, an ex-rentboy, now porn star who is the miracle cure for all terminal disease, but to cure you he has to have sex with you.

Miracle is set in 1994, just before the onset of combination therapy started saving the lives of many gay men. In these dark days, Will Hung is their only hope.

Written by Gerry Potter, creator of Chloe Poems, Miracle is part urban fairy-tale, part farce and part Greek tragedy. It's a drama that asks questions that have never been asked before. Never have morality and mortality been so controversially entwined.

DIRECTOR: Mike Heath. PERFORMED BY Warren Brown, Jenni Howarth-Williams & Gerry Potter.

VISITING PRODUCTION

Wed 26th Sep - Sat 29th Sep '07

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NICO ICON PLAY

By Stella Grundy. Presented by Ultraviolet.

An exploration into the life and times of Christa Paffgen - Model, Actress & Singer with the Velvet Underground.

Through the use of live music, film & theatre, Ultraviolet Productions present three decades capturing the glamour, hedonism & coldness of the Warhol years through to the drug addiction and squalor of the 1980s. It chronicles her meeting and close friendship with Manchester svengali Alan Wise, and her many ill-fated attempts to resurge as a credible artist.

Written by the front woman of the '90s band Intastella , the fascination with Nico began after the discovery of how little was known about the artist during her Manchester years. Through extensive research and interviews, Nico Icon Play reveals, to a new audience, the dark uncompromising humour and tragedy of a city familiar to those who grew up in '80s Britain.

In the words of the writer.... "Nico Paffgen was a woman who occupied a man's life, accused of theft, voilence and racism. She sang like the angel that was banished to hell. She could never stop performing because she had no money and didn't know what else to do. Spending the last eight years of her life in Manchester and touring the toilets of the world. Through interviews I've discovered many fabulous stories which has enabled us to document some of her less well known adventures; from dancing with Allen Ginsberg to pissing in sinks - a proper Rock & Roll adventure."

Read the Manchester Evening News article, or listen to the interview on Woman's Hour, BBC Radio 4.

More info: www.nicoiconplay.com

DIRECTOR: James Foster, Stella Grundy, Steve Manford. PERFORMED BY Lee Antley, Clyve Bonelle, Ian Curley, Stella Grundy, Josh Moran, Terry Naylor, Julia Nelson FILM PRODUCTION MANAGER: Russell Moss PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Jane Moore. FILM PERFORMANCES: Dave Ball, Arthur Brown, Cathy Crabb, Martin Drew, James Foster, Peter F.Garrett, Charlene G., Andrew Yates. MUSICIANS: Elvis & John Scott

WORLD PREMIERE / VISITING PRODUCTION / NEW WRITING / MULTI-MEDIA

Wed 5th Sep - Mon 10th Sep '07

EMBRYO 37 & 38

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our four In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new! - Two nights, both completely different!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 31st Aug & Sat 1st Sep '07

MANCHESTER 24:7 THEATRE FESTIVAL 2007

CAKE

Presented by Mediamedea.

Latest comedy from the ever popular, up and coming and multi award winning writer, Mike Heath. Julian comes out to his parents Linda & Jim and doesn't quite get the response he'd hoped for.  Val & Tommy - competitive neighbours - arrive with ecstatic news of their son - Dave - he's just got engaged. But did Jim really see what he thought he saw in the garage...?

"...an Ayckbourn-esque comedy of manners... Mike Heath's script mines the situation for every conceivable laugh, and director Julia Nelson deploys a superb cast... A hugely enjoyable show." - UK Theatre.net

WRITER: Mike Heath. DIRECTOR: Julia Nelson & James Foster.  PERFORMED BY:  Andrew Conroy, Dave Midgley, Finn Glendon, Ian Curley, Lynn Roden & Stella Grundy.

JOB #143

Presented by Mediamedea.

Angry at life....and the wife, Alfie finds himself kidnapped, handcuffed and thrown into a cell.  Not long in isolation he is soon joined by another hooded victim.  Who is he?  Why are they both there?  Who is behind it? And why oh why don't they have convincing sound effects?

"An intriguing and funny look at the way most men are still competitive little boys at heart." - MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS, 24 July '07

WRITER:  Ian Curley. DIRECTOR:  Mike Heath.  PERFORMED BY:  Dan Atkinson, Ian Curley, Kate Gilbert & Terry Naylor.

EMBRYO 35 & 36

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our five In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new! - Two nights, both completely different!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Thu 19th & Fri 20th July '07

BUXTON FRINGE FESTIVAL 2007

EMBRYO 33 & 34

The start of something new...

Embryo has showcased the new and developing work of over 900 individual performance related artists. From film to performance poetry, stand-up comedy to the most sophisticated singer / songwriters, individual musicians, new & developing drama performed live, dance troupes, comedy sketches, live bands and so much more! All delivered in ten minute slices, Embryo has proved itself an ideally different antidote to the normal pre-club night out (unless you're actually planning to go for a meal or going home to stay in - we don't mind) and all delivered to you by a specially selected team based at the King's Arms - Studio Salford.

Get involved! Like / didn't like what you saw? Why? Write it down - we'll tell them a couple of days later! Fancy feeling a bit daft when you're pulled to stage for winning a crap prize? - Buy a raffle ticket! Wanna take part? - No vetting policy - just make sure your stuff is no longer than ten minutes (apart from 1 x 15min slot each night before the break, 1 x 25min slot each night at the end) and make sure it's NEW!

Embryo - Two Nights - Both Completely Different!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 8th & Sat 9th June '07

EMBRYO 31 & 32

The start of something new...

Embryo has showcased the new and developing work of over 900 individual performance related artists. From film to performance poetry, stand-up comedy to the most sophisticated singer / songwriters, individual musicians, new & developing drama performed live, dance troupes, comedy sketches, live bands and so much more! All delivered in ten minute slices, Embryo has proved itself an ideally different antidote to the normal pre-club night out (unless you're actually planning to go for a meal or going home to stay in - we don't mind) and all delivered to you by a specially selected team based at the King's Arms - Studio Salford.

Get involved! Like / didn't like what you saw? Why? Write it down - we'll tell them a couple of days later! Fancy feeling a bit daft when you're pulled to stage for winning a crap prize? - Buy a raffle ticket! Wanna take part? - No vetting policy - just make sure your stuff is no longer than ten minutes (apart from 1 x 15min slot each night before the break, 1 x 25min slot each night at the end) and make sure it's NEW!

Embryo - Two Nights - Both Completely Different!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 13th & Sat 14th April '07

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EMBRYO 29 & 30

The start of something new...

Yes ladies and gents our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development celebrates its 30th NIGHT! By the time Saturday 17th Feb ends, Embryo will have showcased the new and developing work of over 900 individual performance related artists. From film to performance poetry, stand-up comedy to the most sophisticated singer / songwriters, individual musicians, new & developing drama performed live, dance troupes, comedy sketches, live bands and so much more! All delivered in ten minute slices, Embryo has proved itself an ideally different antidote to the normal pre-club night out (unless you're actually planning to go for a meal or going home to stay in - we don't mind) and all delivered to you by a specially selected team based at the King's Arms - Studio Salford.

Get involved! Like / didn't like what you saw? Why? Write it down - we'll tell them a couple of days later! Fancy feeling a bit daft when you're pulled to stage for winning a crap prize? - Buy a raffle ticket! Wanna take part? - No vetting policy - just make sure your stuff is no longer than ten minutes (apart from 1 x 15min slot each night before the break, 1 x 25min slot each night at the end) and make sure it's NEW!

Embryo - Two Nights - Both Completely Different!

FRIDAY - Music from Ryan, Gary Binks, Pablo's End & The Waverton Collective. Sketches from James Boyland & Gary Binks. Comedy from Mr Parsnip. Poetry from Jo Carlon, Gus Fairman, + more slots currently being filled. SATURDAY - Sketches from Cathy Crabb, Elizabeth Poole & Patrick Hollis, Chris McCrudden, Peter Eastbrook. Comedy from Paul Dixon, The Toothpaste Expedition. Music from The Rascals, The Plague Of Sound, The Lady Gardens. Poetry from Matt Panesh, + some short films currently being confirmed.

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 16th & Sat 17th February '07

EMBRYO 27 & 28

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our five In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new! - Two nights, both completely different!

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE / VISITING / FILM / POETRY / MUSIC / COMEDY / CABARET

Thu 7th & Fri 8th December '06

ONE WAS NUDE AND ONE WORE TAILS

Presented by Cul-de-Sac Theatre.

A new project from the award-winning In-House Company, Cul-de-sac Theatre - a one-act play, published in 1985, by Dario Fo, author of such classics as Accidental Death Of An Anarchist and Can't Pay, Won't Pay. The play is a farcical comedy concerning two road sweepers, a naked man, a prostitute, a flower-seller and a policeman. Drawing on pantomimic 'Commedia-style' performance, the characters play around with ideas about philosophy, status, class and 'uniform', i.e. the idea that 'You Are What You Wear' ("naked outside, but clothed within"). As in all Fo's work, serious ideas about society pigeon-holing its citizens are explored satirically, with great humour, knockabout slapstick and vaudeville song and dance.

Cul-de-sac Theatre continues its celebration of modern classics - previous productions include Beckett's Endgame (Best Drama, Buxton Festival), a production which caught the playwright's black humour perfectly. Like Beckett, Dario Fo doesn't preach or lecture, but instead uses clowns and buffoons to portray society's foolish pretensions.

WRITER:  Dario Fo.  DIRECTOR: Julia Nelson.  PERFORMED BY: Andrew Yates, Warren Brown, John Scott, Julia Nelson, Kate Gilbert, Phil Dennison, Terry Naylor.

IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Tue 28th Nov - Sat 2nd December '06

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UNDER THE DIRT

By Claire Berry. Presented by Artemis Theatre.

Hurt people, hurt people.

A collection of four urban tales about those who live life in the extremes. Each displaying behaviour outside of what is deemed acceptable in a mixed up and hypocritical world. Out of control and seemingly powerless to change, they live out their anguish with ridiculous, tragic and disturbing results.

Under The Dirt is a powerful black comedy exploring the darker side of human nature.

WRITER:  Claire Berry. DIRECTOR: Claire Berry. PERFORMED BY:  Andrew Yates, Donna Coleman, Ian Curley, Rachel Priest.

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Tue 14th - Sat 18th November '06

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THE RISE AND DEMISE OF KENNETH KENNEDY SMYTHE

By Mike Heath. Presented by Mediamedea.

From the writer of the very well received The Game Of Two Halves earlier this year, comes this exciting piece of new work.

The Americans have struck France with no apparent motive. Kenneth, war correspondent for the BBC, finds himself publicly disgraced and silenced after expressing personal disgust at the actions of the attackers.

Kenneth's girlfriend, Jennifer Talia, royal correspondent for the BBC and ceaseless social climber, finds herself caught up in a propaganda trap after being given a position of media power. Her task - to detract the media away from the war...

The Rise and Demise of Kenneth Kennedy-Smythe is a darkly comic political satire about two characters who have to make serious choices, exploring the power of the media during times of war.

WRITER:  Mike Heath.  DIRECTOR:  Mike Heath.  PERFORMED BY:  Richard Howell-Jones, Sue Jaynes.

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Tue 7th - Sat 11th November '06

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YESTERDAY, WHEN I WAS YOUNG

Created by Adam Zane.  Presented by Hope Theatre Company.

Earlier this year, in-house company Hope Theatre presented the critically acclaimed show Village Voices as part of the Queer Up North International Arts Festival and for BBC Radio Manchester.  The show featured the fascinating, laugh-out-loud, true stories of Josie Pickering - housewife turned lesbian dominatrix madam!

This November, Josie's story continues in a brand new show here at Studio Salford. The play tells the incredible story of how a back-street housewife discovered her true self in 1960's Salford.

WRITER: Verbatum theatre piece created by Adam Zane.  DIRECTOR:  Adam Zane.  PERFORMED BY:  Erin Shanagher

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Tue 31st Oct - Sat 4th Nov November '06

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CHLOE POEMS

The evening's entertainments provide a preview of Chloe Poem's forthcoming book, an appropriately genre-bending work that employs performance, poetry, monologue, prose, a fairy story and theatre to weave a series of interlinked narratives.

This one-off live show will reveal the multiple personalities and histories of the enigmatic and beguiling gingham diva. Our no-holds-bard Voice of Treason proves once again that she is the classiest iconoclast on the block. Come and be a better gay!

This show is part of the Manchester Literature Festival (12th - 22nd Oct), and will be recorded for a live DVD which will accompany the book. More info: www.chloepoems.org.uk / www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk

PERFORMANCE POETRY / PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / VISITING PRODUCTION

Sat 21st October '06

XXX CLUB

Presented by Kinofilm.

As part of a series of new nights in Manchester and Salford, Kinofilm will be launching The XXX Club exploring the Wonderful World of Exploitation Cinema. The club commences with Part 1 - SeXploitation. An evening of 1960s SeXploitation movies, rarely seen XXX feature (title to be announced), Nudie Cutie clips, Trailers & Shorts, Go Go girls & Burlesque.

SEE SCENES THAT MAY SHOCK YOU!!  PROVOCATIVE IMAGES THAT WILL EXCITE YOU!

Future Nights will include specials on: Blaxploitation and Racial tension, Atomic War Scare movies, Teenage Awareness films, Biker movies, revenge movies, B movie monsters galore, hippies, mods and hallucinogenic trip movies. Exploitation has it all and often features ample of nudity, sex and titillation, so be warned - if you are offended by explicit images, sex or other controversial subject matters please stay away, as this night may not be for you!

Warning: The producers advise audiences that may be offended by nudity, sex, violence, or good ol' fun, not to attend this screening. Strictly for Mature Adult Audiences Only. Under 18s will not be admitted to this theatre.

To be continued at a theatre near you soon. NB: The XXX Club is a Hardcore Free Zone - if you expect it, you will be disappointed.

FILM / VISITING PRODUCTION

Thu 19th October '06

LOVE ME TENDER

Looking for a bit of light hearted fun? Well look no further than the next offering at Studio Salford, Love Me Tender. Presented by Wilde Fox Productions and written by Manchester based actor Liam Fox and actor / comedian Sam Lee.

Originally conceived after Liam worked with Victoria Wood in BBC TV's Dinnerladies, this ensemble comedy follows the fortunes of Dwayne Marley as he prepares for the re-opening night of his late father's pub. However when the local comedy act Sticky Nicky fails to turn up Dwayne is left without an act to launch the event. Will he find a replacement or will the ghost of his dead Dad scare everybody off?

Directed by Hollyoaks' Nicole Barber Lane (Myra McQueen) and with a cast that includes amongst others ex-Hollyoaks cast member Warren Brown (Andy Holt), Love Me Tender is hoped to be the first of many new plays launched by Wilde Fox Productions.

Writer: Liam Fox, Sam Lee. Director: Nicole Barber-Lane. Performed by: Warren Brown, Liam Fox, Phil Marley, Jacqueline Dillon, Toby Haydoke, Faye McKeever, Chris Buckley, Robert Maxfield, Gina Lamb, Alan Keogh.

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / VISITING PRODUCTION

Tue 10th - Fri 13th October '06

EMBRYO 25 & 26

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our five In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new! - Two nights, both completely different!

IN-HOUSE / VISITING / NEW WRITING / PREMIERE / FILM / COMEDY / MUSIC / POETRY

Fri 15th & Sat 16th September '06

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CLOSER

By Patrick Marber. Presented by Trickster Theatre.

Trickster Theatre present Patrick Marber's searingly honest dissection of love and sex. Following the intertwining lives of two couples over the years, Closer celebrates the struggle to connect with another human being and asks what lengths we'll go to for the sake of that connection.

Directed by Christopher Neil (Othello - Best Show, Studio Salford Awards 2005), and produced by Cellan Scott (Othello - Best Male Actor, Studio Salford Awards 2005), Closer continues Trickster Theatre's reputation for storytelling that depends on the connection between audience and actor. Performed by:  Anarosa Butler, Bronwyn Ebdon, Cellan Scott, Phil Minns.

VISITING PRODUCTION

Dates: Tue 19th - Sat 23rd September '06

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STARCROSS'D

By Carole Solazzo. Presented by Physico Theatre in conjunction with HOPE Theatre Company.

SEX + SECRETS + SHAKESPEARE = 'STARCROSS'D'. Religious fanaticism. A paranoid state. Fear and suspicion. Shakespeare lived in dangerous times.

What if he really spent some time here in the north west in 1581, working for a subversive religious group? What if that led him to meet Lady Dorothy, the daughter of a stubborn Catholic? And what if he introduced her to the love of her life, a Protestant?

Could he have been inspired by their story to write Romeo & Juliet years later? And could  Shakespeare also have met the love of his life here?

Sexy, funny and moving, the play explores the consequences on a group of teenagers of religious fanaticism and their search for identity through religion, love and sex. It features Physico's exciting signature blend of drama, dance, movement and film, and is enhanced with a specially commissioned digital soundtrack.

Written by Carole Solazzo (BBC TV & Radio) and directed by Adam Zane (Village Voices / Get Happy, The Lowry). Performed by:  Madeliene Solazzo, Matthew Ganley. www.physicotheatre.co.uk

NEW WRITING / NORTH WEST PREMIERE / VISITING PRODUCTION. UNSUITABLE FOR CHILDREN.

Tue 26th - Thu 28th September '06

EMBRYO 23 & 24

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our four In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new!

Two nights, both completely different!

IN-HOUSE / VISITING / NEW WRITING / TEST-BED / SHOWCASE / MUSIC / FILM / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 16th & Sat 17th June '06

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LANDSCAPE and THE LOVER

By Harold Pinter, presented by Moment Productions. A double bill of Pinter's work in honour of the winner of the Noble Prize for literature 2005 and his 75th birthday.

The Lover, written in 1963, is from what has been described as Pinter's phase of 'psychological realism', while Landscape, written four years later, derives from his 'lyrical phase'. These two plays, therefore, were not written as a double bill but they complement each other well. In both instances we see couples trying to find an escape for their feelings beyond the traditional and mundane exchanges that familiarity breeds.

In The Lover, Richard and Sarah, married for ten years, conduct themselves with apparent respectability in the mornings, whilst living out a sequence of erotic rituals in the afternoon.

Landscape is a beautiful, poetic drama about a couple in their fifties, Duff and Beth. Whereas Duff is very present, telling his wife about his daily routine, it would appear that she would rather stay focused on her memories, speaking lyrically and sensually of a time in the past.

These plays are directed by Katie Read, new to Manchester from London where she assisted Harold Pinter on his last directing job, The Old Masters, by Simon Gray. Cast: The Lover : Mark Taylor-Batty & Sandra Patton. Landscape : Martin Reeve & Maria Gough.

VISITING PRODUCTION

Tue 6th - Sat 10th June '06

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SILENT JOYS AND BROKEN TOYS

By Vista Theatre Company, as part of the Queer Up North International Festival.

"Leader of the Pack" and "Past, Present and Future" are two of the hits from the sixties girl group sensation The Shangri-Las. Their music is a jolt to the memory banks and their songs were an inspiration to a whole generation. The swinging beats of the Shangri-Las, 25 heart-wrenching, echo-laden, drama-filled odes to bad boys, forbidden love, quivering anticipation, loss of virginity, teenage pregnancy, dead lovers and furtive meetings with leather-jacketed guys are the perfect back drop for this up-tempo, toe tapping production exploring growing up, coming out and life choices.

So join the drag trio at Silent Joys Nightclub as they lead us through personal encounters, and some of the songs of the Shangri-Las.

Featuring writing from last year's Best Comedy (Buxton and Slamchester) winner Cathy Crabb.

NEW WRITING / PREMIERE / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION | www.queerupnorth.com

Tue 16th - Fri 19th May '06

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THE GAME OF TWO HALVES

By Mike Heath, presented by Mediamedea. Pete and Simon are a couple. Tom, Pete's loud-mouthed work colleague, gets some tickets for the footy. The only problem is that Tom doesn't know that Pete's gay. Simon invites himself along...

Will Simon be able to "straighten" his act up for the afternoon to protect Pete? Will Pete be able to deny his own lifestyle to perpetuate his big secret with Tom?

Relationships are put to the test as Simon is forced to endure football chat, Yates wine lodge and the discovery of Pete's well-intentioned hypocrisy. A fish-out-of-water comedy about secrets, assumption and football.

NEW WRITING / PREMIERE / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Tue 9th - Sat 13th May '06

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EMBRYO 21 & 22

The start of something new...

Studio Salford, our four In-House Companies, visiting companies & special guests present our eclectic cabaret of performance work in development. Expect to see stand-up poetry, singer / songwriters, comedy, musicians, 10 min excerpts of scripts currently being written, short films, live bands and much more - all new!

Two nights, both completely different!

IN-HOUSE / VISITING / NEW WRITING / TEST-BED / SHOWCASE / MUSIC / FILM / COMEDY / CABARET

Fri 5th & Sat 6th May '06

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DIG INFINITY ! - LORD BUCKLEY LIVE !!

Richard "Lord" Buckley was a jazz poet, philosopher and stand up comic whose career began in the walkathon marathons of depression America, and passed on through to the speakeasies of Al Capone's Chicago and the jazz venues of Be-Bop New York and San Francisco.

Along the way he picked up a remarkable way with language and lived a remarkable life - a way of life that gave birth to "The Church Of The Living Swing", which had belly dancers instead of alter boys and declared that love and laughter were the only truly religious truths.

C.P. Lee first celebrated Lord Buckley's life in 1982 and has since performed his one-man show in London, Amsterdam and New York.

Come along to Studio Salford at The King's Arms and get hip to the cool sweet groove that says "every cat and kitty, wherever red, white and blue is created solid, level and in-front".

Presented by It's A Hot 'un. For more information plus links to various Lord Buckley websites, visit www.itsahotun.com

MUSIC / DRAMA / COMEDY / VISITING PRODUCTION

Tue 4th - Sat 8th April '06

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CLARE SUMMERSKILL - ACTS HER AGE

Clare presents a brand new stage show with a moving mixture of comedy monologues, stand-up and original songs. A ONE NIGHT STAND YOU'LL NEVER FORGET!

A dramatic tale of a forty year old lesbian who finds her long-term relationship coming to an unexpected end. After her initial knee-jerk reaction of writing the definitive "revenge song" and vowing that she will sing it to thousands of lesbians around the country, thus naming and shaming her ex, we find Clare facing the issues of ageing, betrayal and the more important and immediate task of looking for a new lesbian love interest in her life!

Sponsored by DIVA. More info: www.claresummerskill.co.uk

COMEDY / VISITING PRODUCTION

Thu 23rd - Sat 25th March '06

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ABU BEN/ADAM

A new play by Andrew Norris, Joanne Street & Jane Hollowood. Adapted for the stage by Joanne Street. Presented by AJN Productions

Ben is a 30 year old journalist. He sleeps, he eats, he goes to work and comes home again. Everyday the same. When his Mother dies of cancer Ben is forced to re-evaluate his relationship with the world. Through his struggle to re-connect with the people around him he meets his guardian angel in human form who, through the course of events forces him to re-discover his relationship with his Father, and come to terms with his own sexuality, both of which have been dormant for so many years.

Abu Ben/Adam is a funny, poignant and touching portrayal of how one devastating event can transform a life forever.

More info: www.ajnproductionsltd.co.uk

DRAMA / VISITING PRODUCTION

Tue 14th - Sat 18th March '06

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ME AND MARLENE plus DIE BERLIN BLAU

Gloves Off Productions present Me And Marlene. "There's nothing new, darling" says Marlene Dietrich, but come and see Me And Marlene at Studio Salford and you might just learn something!

Glamour, sex and a penchant for men's clothing... an extraordinary life that spanned the twentieth century and many of its most dramatic moments. From inter-war Berlin to the golden age of Hollywood and beyond - she was there! Marlene did it all - very beautiful, bi-sexual, cross-dressing, a long line of lovers - and she defied Hitler! A free spirit who answered to nobody. Partricia Hartshorne takes a haunting and humorous look at the colourful life of Marlene Dietrich through the songs and experiences of this Hollywood legend.

More info: www.glovesoff.co.uk

And after Marlene? Die Blau Ribbon Club completes the evening with...

Die Berlin Blau

A wonderfully satirical trip to the Weimar Republic. It is 1930's Berlin and the main act has left the stage. Now the club has closed due to the rising Nazi dictatorship, where will the characters of Die Blue Ribbon Club go?

This cabaret piece tells a story of political domination and the crushing of creativity with the eventual exodus to America and Film Noir. The piece also represents the cycle of running to and then from what we think we desire and the bitterness that ensues through the constant scaring of this transient lust. Sadly short and bitterly sweet this musical piece of 1930s cabaret sketches and songs with its multitude of characters should thoroughly entertain you.

Die Berlin Blau will take you on a wonderfully satirical trip to The Weimer Republic with its troop of individuals. The messages come through the subtext to tell a sad tale of a cycle that will never be stopped. The lust for an audience and creative freedom has created bitterness but from America comes a glimmer of hope - can it be substantiated? This musical trip using 1930's German cabaret sketches offers sex glamour and most of all delusion.

MUSIC / DRAMA / VISITING PRODUCTION

Tue 7th - Sat 11th March '06

TWISTED NERVE PSYCHEDELIC FILM NIGHT

As a testimony to Kino's ongoing dedication to the creative unison of oblique cinema and popular music, Manchester's premier psychedelic sibling record labels Twisted Nerve and Finders Keepers present a baroque banquet of veritable audio-visual vol-au-vents combining a freshly prepared masala of vintage psychedelic cinematics (from the four corners of our savage planet) with some jawdropping improvised soundtracks from acidic-folk fuelled, Kraut rocking sonic cult bishops Voice Of The Seven Woods and Samandtheplants. Expect sporadic selections from Czech animation to Japanese theatre performance and unidentifiable audio abstractions from some rather unique musicians.

Sowing the psychedelic seeds amongst avant gardeners and experimental music lovers alike DJ's Andy Votel and Dominic Thomas will supply a selection of seldom aired, fuzz-ridden, global platters.

Supported by Baby Cow Manchester.
More info: 0161 288 2494 / www.kinofilm.org.uk | www.b-music.co.uk | www.finderskeepersrecords.com

MUSIC / FILM / VISITING PRODUCTION

Sat 18th Feb '06

EMBRYO 19 & 20

Studio Salford's bi-monthly eclectic cabaret, featuring performances of scripts currently in development, stand-up poetry and comedy, short films, bands, and much more...

Two nights, both completely different!

Fri 10th & Sat 11th Feb '06

EMBRYO 17 & 18

Studio Salford's bi-monthly eclectic cabaret, featuring performances of scripts currently in development, stand-up poetry and comedy, short films, bands, and much more...

Two nights, both completely different!

Thu 8th & Fri 9th Dec '05

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PAPERBOYS

By Cathy Crabb. Presented bu Cul-de-Sac Theatre.

From the writer of Moving Pictures (winner of the best comedy award at Buxton earlier this year), and a cast of award winning actors, this is a story set in a pub: whilst two brothers grapple with their bitterness and affections over a pint, two girls bring a myth to the table and a drunk plays Greek chorus, dipping in and out of the conversations with his mix of profunditiy, predictions and blabber.

Presented as part of the Manchester Comedy Festival.

Directed by: Cathy Crabb. Performed by: Terry Naylor, David Slack, Neil Bell, Stella Grundy, Jeni Howarth-Williams & Elizabeth Poole.

NEW WRITING / PREMIERE / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Tue 22nd - Thur 24th & Sat 26th Nov '05

OTHELLO

By William Shakespeare. Presented by Artemis Theatre.

Jealousy is a violent emotion.

Artemis Theatre present Shakespeare's darkest tragedy with a twisted thriller at its heart. Using film and in-the-round storytelling to submerge the audience into the story's heart of darkness, Othello's corruption, by the hand of his friend Iago unleashes a sickening chain of events. All directed by vanity and isolation, all reaching a tragic conclusion.

Artemis Theatre, emerging from the highly successful company, Dark Profit (productions since 2004 include Claire Berry's Relativity at Studio Salford and Eve Ensler's The Vagina Monologues at the Frog & Bucket, Manchester), looks forward to its first production of a classic text.

Directed by: Christopher Neil. Performed by: Dan Atkinson, Donna Coleman, Richard Delafield, Martin Drew, Bronwyn Ebdon, Kate Gilbert, Phil Minns, Chinedu Okolie, Andrew Rankin & Cellan Scott.

IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION

Tue 8th - Sat 12th November '05

BITE ME

By Carole Solazzo. Presented by Physico Theatre.

IN A BUSY KITCHEN, NO-ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM...

Can a girl with a phobia of food make a success of her late, lamented papa's kitchen?

In Bite Me, set in an Italian restaurant in a small northern town, Gioia battles against her fears, her mother, and some very unusual suspects, to carry on her father's life's work.

A topical subject, Physico Theatre's new comedy is a very funny and satirical look at current attitudes to food, families and fulfilment. "In Britain, we have developed a very screwed-up relationship with food over the last few years" says the play's author, Carole Solazzo. "We're given contradictory advice about what's good for our health, our finances and our planet. People are confused. It's very different in Italy."

Physico, however, use their unique approach to bring a light touch to the subject. Their distinctive blend of physical comedy, sparkling dialogue, movement and dance all add up to a highly entertaining evening. Based in Leyland, Physico stages new writing and classic adaptations for a multi-generational audience, with support from South Ribble and Lancashire councils and the Arts Council. They tour productions all over the North West, but this is their first visit to the Manchester area. Brian Porter, one of Physico's members, says "We previewed the show to very varied audiences and everyone has been enthralled and in stitches. We are really looking forward to bringing Bite Me to Studio Salford for a week in October. It's a respected venue, and shows there will raise our profile and widen our audience base."

Directed by: Carole Solazzo. Performed by: Penny McDonald, Brian Porter, James Shakeshaft & Madeliene Solazzo.

NEW WRITING / MANCHESTER PREMIERE / VISITING PRODUCTION

Tue 18th - Fri 21st Oct '05

EMBRYO 15 & 16

Studio Salford's bi-monthly eclectic cabaret, featuring performances of scripts currently in development, stand-up poetry and comedy, short films, bands, and much more...

Lighting by Ken Norbury : Sound by John Scott & Ken Norbury.

Fri 14th & Sat 15th Oct '05

24-7 THEATRE FESTIVAL 2005

PREMIERES / NEW WRITING / VISITING PRODUCTIONS

Sunday 24th - Saturday 30th July '05

SALFORD STUFFERS

By Christine Marshall. Presented by Jelly Shoe Productions.
Joint winner of the W. R. Foundation as voted by Tim Firth & Willy Russell

Christine Marshall's newest play comes to Studio Salford before heading off to the Edinburgh Festival. Set in the eighties, Salford Stuffers concerns itself with a group women working on the side inserting junk offers into newspapers throughout the night. As we relive some of the most famous headlines of the decade, the petty, sensationalised headlines seem to mirror the lives of the illegaly working women. Then comes a headline which has explosive consequences.

But if YOU had to stuff newspapers throughout the night to make ends meet you'd have to laugh wouldn't you?

Wouldn't you?

WORLD PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / VISITING PRODUCTION

Tuesday 28th June - Saturday 2nd July '05

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COACH G

By Stephen Morris. Presented by Monkeywood Theatre.

"LEAVES ON THE TRACK WILL NOT STOP US..."

As Stephen Morris' surreal and edgy new play arrives in Manchester, COACH G is a black comedy which takes it's passengers on a nightmare train journey with Matthew Clarke, who finds himself trapped in disconcerting company - a femme fatale, the board game-addicted Big Frank and Big Phil the Hitman, to name just a few - and a train manager who veers alarmingly between eccentric and terrifying. Clarke can leave the train when he gets his story straight...but which story will it be...?

Shot through with violence and humour, this train should not be missed. "This is the age of the train". You may never view train travel in the same way again...

ANNOUNCEMENT: "Would passengers please be advised that Coach E is today's designated quiet carriage, the dining car is currently serving hurtful comments and vague threats to anyone foolhardy enough to venture in, and Coach B is but a distant memory. Thank you."

"Hip... edgy and watchable... compelling and intriguing new play... well-served by a talented young cast." - Manchester Evening News

NEW WRITING / VISITING PRODUCTION

Tuesday 21st - Saturday 25th June '05

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EMBRYO 13 & 14

Studio Salford's bi-monthly eclectic cabaret, featuring performances of scripts currently in development, stand-up poetry and comedy, short films, bands, and much more...

Lighting by Ken Norbury : Sound by John Scott & Ken Norbury

Friday 3rd & Saturday 4th June '05

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THE LARAMIE PROJECT

By Moises Kaufman & members of the Tectonic Theatre Project. Directed by Adam Zane. Presented by Hope Theatre Company.

In the Autumn of 1998, Mathew Shepard, a gay college student, was found beaten, tied to a fence and left to die on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. Shortly afterwards, members of the Tectonic Theatre Project from New York, set out for Laramie to explore a town and the crime that occurred there. After interviewing more than 200 residents, they created a deeply moving play about bigotry and tolerance, fear and courage, hate and hope. The play was first performed in Denver in February 2000 and from there moved to The Union Square Theater in New York City. In November 2000 the play was performed by the original cast in the town of Laramie, Wyoming.

This is a true story. All the people you see portrayed are real. All the words you hear were spoken. All the events you see happened between 1998 and 1999 in the town of Laramie, Wyoming.

VISITING PRODUCTION / QUEER UP NORTH FESTIVAL

Tuesday 24th - Saturday 28th May '05

A LOAD OF OLD WOMEN & A BIT OF A SLAPPER

A double bill featuring COACHING and CYCLING by Christine Marshall. Presented by Jelly Shoe Productions, Two thirty minute plays that can't fail to please.

From award winning playwright Christine Marshall, COACHING and CYCLING won Best Comedy Writing and Best Overall Performance at the Buxton Festival 2003 and went on to be adapted for BBC Radio 4 in the same year.

COACHING - Ivy has persuaded Jean on a coach holiday using the second-hand ticket of recent stroke victim, Joyce ("She's lost her speech and her deposit"). A couple of old women, Ivy and Freda wait at the bus stop, still ahead of the game as long as they're feeding themselves unaided and can remember the name of the Prime Minister. Coaching is a play of hope, friendship, memory and future.

CYCLING - Mary bumps into "Daft Sandra" in a laundrette as Sandra skives from her mad sisters, her mad mother and her baby, Courtney ("I don't know how old she is, but she's some months. It's like loose change - I can't do that either"). Over the time it takes to complete a full cycle and spin, Mary sees a side of Sandra which no one else has ever been bothered to look for.

AWARD WINNER / VISITING PRODUCTION / DOUBLE BILL

Tuesday 10th - Saturday 14th May '05

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KAMA SUTRA

By Peter McGarry. Presented by Eye Witness.

Tristan's sex life changes dramatically when Pamela discovers a copy of the Karma Sutra in the cookery section of the local library.

Kama Sutra will represent the UK in the 2005 International Theatre Festival, Orlando.

"Orgasmically funny" - Orlando Weekly

BRITISH PREMIERE / VISITING PRODUCTION
Monday 2nd, Wednesday 4th, and Saturday 7th May '05

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HOWARD BRENTON TRILOGY

Vista Theatre Company present Gum and Goo, Heads and The Education of Skinny Spew. Experimental and challenging pieces that take you on a journey through an autistic child's perception of the world, a woman's desire for the perfect lover, and a disturbed child's murderous demise.

GUM & GOO - Two boys are transformed into fantasy gremlins (Gum & Goo) through the mind of an autistic girl. The girl is pushed into a hole and found "not dead - but worse, she's silent"

HEADS - A girl is torn between her love for two men, one for his mind the other for his physique. Cutting off their heads she switches them from one to the other to get the perfect man. Is this for the better or for the worse?

THE EDUCATION OF SKINNY SPEW - Still in the womb Skinny Spew has adult wisdom, once he is born he drowns his parents for treating him as a moron. Sent off to an orphanage where he escapes and is captured and regress to babyhood under rigours of "proper" education.

IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION
Tuesday 26th - Saturday 30th April '05

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EMBRYO 11 & 12

Studio Salford's bi-monthly eclectic cabaret, featuring performances of scripts currently in development, stand-up poetry and comedy, short films, bands, and much more...

Lighting by Ken Norbury : Sound by John Scott & Ken Norbury

1st & 2nd April '05.

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15 MINUTES WITH YOU

Written & directed by Cathy Crabb : Presented by Mediamedea

A thought-provoking, explicit journey through a one night stand. A raw insight into the lasting effects of a brief relationship.

NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION.
Tuesday 21st - Saturday 25th February '04.

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EMBRYO 9 & 10

Directed & co-ordinated by Julia Nelson & James Foster

Embryo 9 : Libby's Lovelies (psychedelic dance troupe of sexy ladies), Mike Crook (singer & guitar), Dan Atkinson's film "Government Health Warning", Riverbank Media ("Perfect" - written & performed by Klare Gaulton), Sam U. L. Wasp - Bus Spotter, Greg Kelly (singer & guitar), Christine Proud (stand-up comedy), Cul-de-sac Theatre (Terry Naylor & John Scott - improvised music piece), "Bob" - Robert Wright-Smith, poetry, singing and monologue), Urban Theatre (Laura Caine - piece from "Chain Saw Manicure"), Albino Injun Productions (edited excerpts from their film "Lookin' for Lucky"), Albino Injun Productions ("Trinity" performed & written by Joe O'Byrne), Dark Profit (excerpt from "The Vagina Monologues" performed by Sue Jaynes, advertising the forthcoming charity production on 8th March at The Frog & Bucket in aid of V Day (Putting a stop to violence against women) and thanks to Claire Berry for her explanation of this charity event), Tracey Tray, The Pimhole Group (band).

Embryo 10 : Gareth Evans (Singer & Guitar), Riverbank Media ("Fridge Mountain" written by Mike Heath and performed by Denice Hope, Klare Gaulton & Rob Collier), Mediamedea (excerpt from "Fifteen Minutes With You" - written & directed by Cathy Crabb, performed by Neil Bell & Stella Grundy, Dark Profit (more from "The Vagina Monologues"), Ian Docherty & John Scott (improvised music piece), Julian Daniel (stand-up comedy), Dean Ashton (stand-up poetry), Claudine Kline (stand-up comedy), Me & Her (musical duet), Kate McCoy & Neil Bell (stand-up poetry), Belle of Le Bois (band).

Lighting by Ken Norbury : Sound by John Scott & Ken Norbury

11th & 12th February '05.

MOVING PICTURES

By Cathy Crabb : Directed by James Foster : Presented by Mediamedea

Tina is selling up and moving on, then Anne comes to view the flat and the two women's lives take a different turn.

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION.
Tuesday 23rd - Saturday 27th November '04.

EMBRYO 7 & 8

Directed & Co-ordinated by Julia Nelson & James Foster

Performances by: Andrew Yates, John Scott, Tight Fisted Cow, Neil Bell, Kate Higgins, Winston Carrington, Lee Atley, Albino Injun Productions, Baby Grand, Hyashi, Thick Richard, Cathy Crabbe, Tony Walsh, Sue Jaynes, Ian Docherty, Richard Howell-Jones, Dan Atkinson, Lynne Roden, Claudine Cline, Julia Nelson, Katie B, Hovis Presley.

Lighting by Ken Norbury : Sound by John Scott & Ken Norbury

5th & 6th November '04.

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36 HOURS (The John Cooper Clarke Story)

By Jon West & Neil Bell : Directed by Neil Bell : Presented by Eat Theatre

Pigeon-holing John Cooper Clarke is difficult and unnecessary.
It's not everyone's cup of tea but you might like it... Eat Theatre's 36 Hours takes you on a ramshackle meander through the highs and lows in the life of one of Britain's greatest, most notorious and warmly loved living poets.
John Cooper Clarke is sitting in the corner of a pub surrounded by a bunch of hacks from the Northern press. Penn, his escort from CBS, is telling them about John's visit to some radio station or other the previous day. Asked for an opinion on the latest Bay City Rollers single, John had replied "I think I'd like to hear it through rapid mortar fire", which had apparently so nonplussed the DJ that the station had been broadcasting complete silence for quite some while. Consciously or not, his appearance is uncannily like the mid 60's Dylan, a man who incidentally has heard PSYCLE SLUTS and pronounced Clarkey - "INTERESTING!"

POETRY: an art barely alive. We can revive it. We have the technology. We have....
John Cooper Clarke....
ON STAGE HIS POEMS OVERWHELM. THE WORDS SHOOT AT THE AUDIENCE LIKE THE BURST OF A MACHINE GUN....ON STAGE HE CANNOT BE BEATEN.

PREMIERE / NEW WRITING.
Tuesday 26th - Saturday 30th October '04.

LIFE'S A GATECRASH

By Terry Hughes : Directed by Terry Hughes : Presented by Hit & Run Productions

Edinburgh Fringe First Winner.

"A tale built with Hitchcockian skill" The Independent
"Taut as a whip and crackling with suspense" Time Out
A gripping well made thriller!

AWARD WINNER / IN-HOUSE PRODUCTION.
Tuesday 12th - Thursday 14th plus Saturday 16th October '04.

PER VERSE

As part of the Manchester Poetry Festival.

An experiment in performance poetry / Take the old and the new from the Manchester poetry scene / Ask them to read some poems / Get them to try something new / Give them a few ideas / Let them make stuff up as they go along / Add an audience who'll let them and love them for it / Do it regularly / And 2 years later you have the most popular open mic night in Manchester. The experiment goes on.

Friday 15th October '04. Special Guests : Trish Casey (Ire) / Tony Walsh (M/cr)

CREDITORS

By August Strindberg : New version by Julian Hill & Jenny Forslund
Directed by Julian Waite : Presented by Paper Cut Theatre Company

Strindberg's rarely performed classic in a spare and raw production.

Gustav divorces Tekla. Tekla marries Adolf. Adolf meets Gustav. Gustav dissects...
"Directed with verve, zest and conviction" The Scotsman.

Tuesday 21st - Saturday 25th September '04.

DOUBLE BILL

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RELATIVITY

By Claire Berry : Directed by Clare Berry : Presented by Dark Profit

A dark comedy, by Manchester based writer Claire Berry, tells the story of Helen, a woman on the verge of her own sexual revolution. Helen will talk to anyone who will listen as she recalls her encounter with an angel in Tesco and the chance she had to flee her demons of the past. Charged with an intense and desperate sensuality, the piece explores Helen's search for her sexual identity in a warmly comic way.

Tuesday 14th - Saturday 18th September '04.

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GET 'EM IN!

By Stella Grundy : Directed by Stella Grundy : Presented by Ultraviolet

"The best thing about getting wrecked is that no two days are the same".

Zoe & Bet are two people who like to get wrecked. Each day revolves around this pastime and this play takes a peek at the chaotic world of the professional escapist. There is drinking, singing, dancing, flashbacks, home truths and of course ­ the hangover.

Tuesday 14th - Saturday 18th September '04.

EMBRYO 5 & 6

Directed & Co-ordinated by Julia Nelson & James Foster

Performances by: Tam Hinton, Mike Heath, Riverbank Media, Tiffer Productions / Chris Leonard, Paper Cut, Dan Atkinson, Fiona Dickson, Nichola Dixon, Gino Evans, Claudine Cline, Ian Docherty, Stella Grundy, Reel To Reel, Julian Hill, Julian Waite, John & James Scott, Neil Bell, Jo O'Byrne, Sue Jaynes, Strange Street.

Lighting by Ken Norbury : Sound by John Scott & Ken Norbury

3rd & 4th September '04.

PERIBANEZ

By Lope de Vega : Presented and performed by St Joseph's Academy
Directed by Ben Davis : Lighting by James Foster & Ben Davis

8th August '04.

24-7 THEATRE FESTIVAL 2004

PREMIERES / NEW WRITING / VISITING PRODUCTIONS

24th - 30th July '04

SUE THOMPKINS

A night of poetry by Sue Thompkins : Produced by Julie Crawshaw : Presented by Midwest

Sound and lighting by Ken Norbury

17th July '04.

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EMBRYO 3 & 4

Directed & Co-ordinated by Julia Nelson & James Foster

Performances by: Stella, Tight Fisted Cow, Mediamedea, Lynne Roden, Julia Nelson, Claudine Kline, Maria Ioannou, Hit & Run Productions, Tam Hinton, Baby Grand, Eliza P, Sam U. L. Wasp, Issac Bickerstaffe, Ian Dogherty, Buzz Hawkins, Error 5, Gareth Evans, Elizabeth Poole, Richard Howell-Jones, Tamasin MacCarthy, Riverbank Media, Tiffer Productions, Joe O'Byrne, David Russell, Strange Street, Tracey Tray, Julia & Claudine

Lighting by Ken Norbury : Sound by Mike Heath, John Scott & Ken Norbury

1st & 2nd July '04.

Click here to see video of Baby Grand's set.

WHERE'S ALEX?

By Phil Minns & Sarah Bacon : Directed by Phil Minns, Sarah Bacon & Jess McGruther : Presented by Vista Theatre Company

Performances by Phil Minns & Sarah Nichols.

Lighting by Jess McGruther : Sound by John Scott

1st - 5th June '04.

PORTRAITS

By Cathy Crabb & Mike Elphick : Directed by Cathy Crabb : Presented by Mediamedea

Performances by Cathy Crabb, Mike Elphick and their audience members.

1st - 5th June '04.

EMBRYO 1 & 2

Directed & Co-ordinated by Julia Nelson & James Foster

Performances by: Stella Grundy, Ian Curley, Mike Heath, Cathy Crabb, Steven Stuart, Alan Hibberd, Tight Fisted Cow, Katie B, John Scott, Lovewood, Neil Bell, Tom Charnock, Eat Theatre, Mediamedea, Lynne Roden, Terry Naylor, Cul-de-sac Theatre, Jex, Me & Her, Julia Nelson, Claudine Cline, Hit & Run Productions, Tam Hinton, Joe O'Byrne, Albino Injun Productions, Robert Wright-Smith, Jo Wynne-Eyton

Lighting by Ken Norbury : Sound by Ken Norbury & John Scott

14th & 15th May '04.

HAVE I NONE

By Edward Bond : Directed by Julian Hill : Presented by Foundland Theatre

Performances by Julian Hill, Maureen Hughes & Terry Hughes.

Lighting by Cara Plummer

4th - 8th May '04.

OUR DAILY BREAD

By Peter McGarry : Directed by Jo Haydock : Presented by This Theatre Company

Performed by Jo Haydock & Sadie Maddocks.

Tuesday 13th - Saturday 17th April '04.

BARE

By Renny Krupinski : Directed by Renny Krupinski : Presented by Itheka Productions

Performance by Renny Krupinski

29th March '04.

ENDGAME

By Samuel Beckett : Directed by Eric : Presented by Cul-de-sac Theatre

Performed by Terry Naylor, Robert Smith-Wright, Gordon

29th March '04.

THE WEIR

By Conor McPherson : Directed by James Foster : Presented by Albino Injun Productions

Performances by Josh Moran, Ian Curley, Neil Bell, Joe O'Byrne & Sue Jaynes.

Lighting by Ken Norbury & Phil Minns

Sound by John Scott

25th - 29th November '03.