We announce our opening programme

The wait is over – we are delighted to announce our opening programme! It features new commissions, international collaborations, plus off-site and interdisciplinary productions that will make HOME one of the most exciting arts venues in the UK.

After opening with a trailblazer performance of The Bad (working title) by world renowned choreographer Hofesh Shechter (30 April – 2 May), the theatre highlights include a world première of The Funfair (14 May – 13 June), Simon Stephens’ brand new adaptation of Ödön von Horváth’s modern European classic Kasimir and Karoline. Directed by Walter Meierjohann, the play sets the break up of a youthful romance against the dizzying backdrop of a funfair. The Oresteia (23 Oct – 14 Nov) directed by rising star Blanche McIntyre, is a radically stripped back version of Aeschylus’ masterful trilogy. At Christmas, prepare to be transported into the magic world of Inkheart (4 Dec – 16 Jan 2016), where nothing is what it seems and magic hides behind every page. This UK première is adapted from the best-selling novel by Cornelia Funke, and is also directed by Walter Meierjohann.

Our new state-of-the-art galleries will present The heart is deceitful above all things (23 May – 26 July), a group exhibition exploring break up, heartache and the dark side of the funfair. Co-curated by Sarah Perks and Omar Kholeif, the exhibition includes new commissions from artists including Jeremy Bailey, Declan Clarke, Basim Magdy and Jessey Tsang, and also features existing work from Douglas Coupland and Wu Tsang, amongst others.

In film, we welcome ¡Viva! Spanish and Latin American Film Festival, with two great weekenders focusing on new Mexican and new Spanish cinema. The film programme also includes a year-long Music and Film project, featuring some of Manchester’s finest musical talent performing original scores alongside artist film, archive footage and silent film. And there’s much more to come, including the very best in UK and international independent film.

Further highlights include a co-commission with Manchester International Festival, details of which will be announced in Spring 2015; the UK première of La Mélancolie des Dragons (1 – 3 Oct) by HOME’s 2015 international guest artist, Philippe Quesne; and I must first apologise… (12 Sept – 1 Nov), a major new exhibition from Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige exploring the history of online spam and scamming through film, sculpture, photography and installation.

There will also be visiting productions from companies including the Young Vic, Kneehigh, the Rosie Kay Dance Company, 1927, and Nanterre-Amandiers.

Whether you want to see work that challenges and astounds, or get closer to directors, writers, filmmakers and artists, we hope you love HOME. Want to more? Take a peek at our trailer and download the full programme here.