PUSH is our annual celebration of the North West’s most creative talents. Over two weeks, our stages, screens and spaces will be dedicated to showcasing some of the most exciting film, theatre and visual art from around the region.
You could find yourself immersed in the world of Franz Kafka, channeling your inner Madonna, being the star of a spoken word performance or transported to a Greek island in the midst of a refugee crisis.
PUSH also offers great opportunities for artists and creatives to meet industry professionals, share ideas and inspirations and develop skills across a broad range of topics. There are a range of workshops and events to get involved in, looking at everything from funding for your short film, to finding your voice, surviving the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and more.
So bring your friends, head to HOME and experience some of the best creative work being produced right on your doorstep…
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In this festival
Discover Push 2017
Our own Jodie Ratcliffe takes you on an audio tour of Push 2017, our annual celebration of cross-platform North West talent. Listen to find out…
Previously in this Festival
Exhibition
Victoria Lucas: Lay of the Land (and other such myths)
Co-commissioned and curated by Mark Devereux Projects. Lay of the Land (and other such myths) is a new project and exhibition investigating connections between gender and…
Theatre
The 1121 Collective presentsYou/Me/Tomorrow
A fiery and insulting production from Manchester’s 1121 Collective, You/Me/Tomorrow looks at how facts and fictions are intertwined when a decade long riot starts to…
Theatre
Mighty Heart Theatre presentsNow Is The Moment We Learn Hope
Mighty Heart Theatre have travelled to some of the happiest and unhappiest places in the UK to learn about hope, happiness & kindness. Join them…
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Workshop/ An Introduction to Theatre Without Words
This workshop explores a visual, non-text based theatre, starting with how an actor can create a space and walk into it.
Theatre
Louise Wallwein presentsThe Island, The Sea, The Volunteer & The Refugee
Louise Wallwein tells the urgent story of our times, migration, from a personal perspective of being a volunteer with Kos Solidarity in Greece.
Theatre
Yusra Warsma presentsThe House Of Bernarda Alba
You're invited to Yusra Warsama's directorial début, as she asks "What if Lorca was a Manc? What if the women he paints with words are from…
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Workshop/ Acting for Stage & Screen
This two-day practical intensive workshop will explore fundamental approaches to performance for the stage and screen.
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Workshop/ Introduction to Vogue
A practical, dance-based workshop for beginners that takes a playful approach to drawing an association between fashion portraiture and the hyper-stylised form of dance commonly…
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Workshop/ Thinking Outside The Box
As creatives, we often put all our energy and passion into creating pieces of work that represent our feelings, aspirations or opinions. But what happens…
Theatre
Cheryl Martin presentsWho Wants To Live Forever
A jazz fantasy about loss, love and hope set among the stars.
Theatre
From The Mill Theatre Company presentsI’m Standing Next To You
I’m standing next to you is an award-winning promenade play that invites audiences to become part of a lonely crowd, imagining what would happen if…
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Workshop/ The Model Box
Explore the process of designing stage sets by working together to make a scale model of your design for a well know play or short…
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Workshop/ Mindfulness & Meditation For Artists
Hannah Dalby will explore Yoga and Mindfulness practices in relation to an open awareness, presence and energy. Ideal for performers but non-performers also welcome.
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Discussion/ Shaped By Stone
Artists Mario Popham & Tom Baskeyfield discuss their collaborative project Shaped by Stone; a dialogue between analogue processes including large format photography, drawing (embossed rubbings),…
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Now Is The Moment We Learn Hope Q&A
Join us for a post-performance Q&A with the Mighty Heart Theatre girls Sam & Lisa to explore the theme of happiness and feedback on their…
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Workshop/ The Art of Digital Marketing
As a creative practitioner, you are bound to have an online presence nowadays. But when you are short of time and money, what aspects of…
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Creative Intervention: Jennifer Reid
Come listen to Jennifer Reid sing a selection of broadside ballads before La La Land on Sun 22 January before the 13:45 screening. Jennifer has…
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Mothers Who Make Jan 2017
Mothers Who Make is a peer support group and creative exchange session for mothers who are artists – professional and/or passionate – writers, painters, actors,…
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First Acts: How To Get Your Short Film Commissioned With Random Acts North
Join the Random Acts North team to find out how you can be commissioned to make a film that could end up on Channel 4.
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Symposium/ Victoria Lucas: Lay of the Land (and other such myths)
Featuring an all female panel with presentations by Alison J Carr, Elly Clarke and Victoria Lucas, this performative symposium will investigate connections between gender and…
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Panel Discussion/ Honest Edinburgh
Ever wanted to take a show to Edinburgh but have no idea where to begin? Join the Mighty Heart Theatre girls and a bunch of…
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Workshop/ Re:Discovering your voice
Explore the connection between your writing and your speaking (perhaps even your singing) voice in this three-hour workshop from award-winning writer/performer and host of Pen:Chant,…
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Show & Tell Jan 2017
Discover Manchester's creative scene as artists, designers and makers talk about their practice, projects or sources of inspiration in 5 minutes flat.
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Grants For The Arts Pre-Application Guidance Session
Are you individual or organisation thinking of making your first application for a Grant for the Arts (GFTA) under £15,000? Do you think you would…
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One to One Script Development Session
One-on-one sessions, where new theatre writers are invited to bring a piece of their working script to discuss and explore with a member of From…
Theatre
Pen:Chant PUSH 2017
Toiling down the art mines, Pen:Chant digs up the best local, national and international acts from the seams of spoken word, comedy, live music, contemporary…
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Panel Discussion/ Short Film Funding
You’ve made short films on a shoestring, using the help, talent and willingness of your friends, colleagues and family. How do you get to the…
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Workshop/ Exploring Kafka’s Characters
Join Evelyn and Matt of People Zoo Productions and explore the absurd world of Kafka.
Theatre
Debs Gatenby presentsA Place Called Happiness
In this comedic and uplifting sequel to her critically acclaimed solo show Hi, Anxiety, Debs shares the highs and lows of discovering happiness from a place within.
Cinema
iShorts Screening
Discover a selection of shorts produced as part of the latest round of iShorts funding.
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Panel Discussion/ Working with Curators & Galleries
For visual artists who want to get their work exhibited and seen by an audience, navigating the world of curators and galleries can be daunting.…