Greater Manchester is home to some of the most exciting and vibrant artists and theatre companies, who make work that thrills, excites and challenges us. PUSH 2016, which runs between Fri 15 – Sun 24 Jan, is your chance to immerse yourself in two weeks’ worth of extraordinary theatrical experiences, some never seen before, and some that demand to be seen again. The festival line up, announced today, comprises seven great productions:
Roseacre, presented by Square Peg Theatre, Fri 15 – Sun 17 Jan. After a body is discovered at a demonstration, a tangled web of deception is unearthed. Is anyone who they say they are? And how far will they go to keep their secrets? Inspired by Nordic Noir thrillers such as The Killing and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.
A Brave & Startling Truth, presented by Sheep Knuckle, Sat 16/Sun 17 Jan. Written, devised and performed by Padraig Confrey and James Monaghan, the production re-enacts the good old days, when people actually spoke to each other face-to-face. This “long distance relationship in two acts” will be simultaneously live streamed to Manchester and Melbourne.
You Must Be The One To Bury Me, presented by Babel Theatre, Tue 19 – Thu 21 Jan. This original, quixotic piece of contemporary theatre, about how we love and how we remember, won the ‘Best of Fest’ Award at the recent International Youth Arts Festival in London.
Prison Game, presented by Hercules Productions, Tue 19 – Thu 21 Jan. A one-man physical theatre performance packed with an intense narrative, Prison Game is the story of a young boy’s journey from primary school through to adulthood.
A-Bomb on Broadway, presented by 1121 Collective, Fri 22 – Sun 24 Jan. Spanning a decade, and via club nights, street fights, bomb-sites and car lights, A-Bomb on Broadway charts the memories and dreams of individuals as the world burns.
The festival closes with two productions from Mighty Heart Theatre, When I Feel Like Crap I Google Kim Kardashian Fat, Fri 22, Sun 24 Jan, and What’s The Matter With You?, Sat 23 Jan. When I Feel Like Crap I Google Kim Kardashian Fat is a piece of verbatim theatre that shares stories from women aged 16-90, based on why would anyone ever google ‘Kim Kardashian Fat’. Join their rollercoaster journey through selfies, celebrity culture, self-esteem, heart to hearts, and dancing to your favourite song. By way of a contrast, it is accompanied by What’s The Matter With You?, a joyous, poignant, and thought-provoking new performance which sets out to tackle the big bad world of mental health.
The packed festival schedule also includes a range of practical workshops led by the companies and leading theatre makers:
Thu 14 Jan, 19:30 – Event: Making Theatre in a Cold Climate
Fri 15 Jan, 14:00 – Workshop: Making Cinematic Theatre
Sat 16 Jan, 15:00 – Workshop: Introduction to Puppetry
Sun 17 Jan, 15:00 – Workshop: Introduction to Puppetry
Mon 18 Jan, 10:30 – Workshop: Mothers Who Make
Wed 20 Jan, 18:30 – Workshop: Approaches to New Writing
Sat 23 Jan, 10:30 – Workshop: Introduction to Lecoq
Tickets for PUSH 2016, including a range of offers and a pass covering the entire festival, go on sale to HOME Friends & Members on Mon 16 Nov, and the general public on Mon 23 Nov.