WIN two tickets to see The Almighty Sometimes at the Royal Exchange in February

Award-winning actress Julie Hesmondhalgh is back at Manchester’s Royal Exchange, Friday 9 February – Saturday 24 February, in The Almighty Sometimes – Kendall Feaver’s extraordinary professional debut and winner of a Judges Award in the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting 2015.

Julie, who won two Manchester Theatre Awards in 2017, stars alongside critically acclaimed Norah Lopez Holden as mother and daughter in this profound portrait of a young woman trying to take back control – and a mother compelled to protect her.

They are joined on stage by Sharon Duncan-Brewster (who returns following her award-winning performance in A Streetcar Named Desire) and Mike Noble. Directed by Katy Rudd, The Almighty Sometimes is unflinchingly honest and woven through with startlingly delicate humour.

Anna is coming of age. Possibilities are unfurling in front of her and she’s ready to take control. However, she knows more about what’s in her bowl of cereal than what is in her medication and she is wondering, for the first time, how life might feel without the pills. But as Anna tries to distance herself from her doctor and the label that has defined her, her mother Renee isn’t ready to let go.

The Almighty Sometimes is Kendall Feaver’s first professional production. Previously, she has had plays and short works performed at The Story Project, Arcola Theatre; Scrapyard Theatre at The Traverse; Islington Youth Theatre; The Australian Theatre for Young People and Adelaide Fringe Festival. She is currently on attachment at the National Theatre Studio.

Julie Hesmondhalgh studied at LAMDA. She is well known for her portrayal of Hayley Cropper in Coronation Street, a role she left after 16 years, as well as Broadchurch, Happy Valley and Black Roses (RTS Award for Best Actress 2015). Her theatre work includes: The Report with Lemn Sissay, God Bless The Child (Royal Court), The Greatest Play in the History of the World…, Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster, Wit and Blindsided (Royal Exchange Theatre).

She is a speaker for Arts Emergency, founder of Take Back, an award-winning political theatre collective in Manchester and has just finished filming feature Pond Life with Bill Buckhurst and Peterloo with Mike Leigh.

Norah Lopez Holden was last seen at the Exchange in the critically acclaimed Our Town directed by Exchange Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom. Her other credits include Othello (The Tobacco Factory); Ghosts (HOME Manchester). The cast also includes Mike Noble as Oliver, credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and Punk Rock (Lyric Hammersmith).

Katy Rudd makes her debut at the Royal Exchange as Director. Katy brings a breadth of directing experience having previously worked as an Associate Director on Husbands & Sons in 2016 (National Theatre and Royal Exchange Theatre) and in 2017 on Groundhog Day (Old Vic and Broadway) and Pinocchio (National Theatre).

Prior to this she was part of the team behind the hugely successful The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (National Theatre, West End, Broadway and UK Tour) working as Associate Director from the show’s inception and directing the show for its re-opening at the Gielgud Theatre and for the UK tour. Katy began her career at the Salisbury Playhouse as winner of the Noël Coward Young Director’s Bursary and in 2011 she was appointed staff director at the National Theatre. Other credits as an Associate Director include The Twits and Linda (Royal Court), The Master Builder (Old Vic) and Mojo (West End).

To win two tickets to see The Almighty Sometimes 9-13 February answer this simple question: Who did Julie Hesmondhalgh play in Coronation Street?

Email your answer with your name, address and phone number to competition@vivamanchester.co.uk

Please clearly stating in your subject line THE ALMIGHTY SOMETIMES COMPETITION. 

TICKET PRICES:
Standard Tickets from £17.00

PERFORMANCE TIMES:
Monday – Saturday evenings, 7.30pm
Matinees, 2.30pm

ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES:
AUDIO-DESCRIBED PERFORMANCE:
Saturday 24 February, 2.30pm

BSL PERFORMANCE:
Wednesday 21 February, 7.30pm

CAPTIONED PERFORMANCE:
Thursday 22 February, 2.30pm

RELAXED PERFORMANCE:
Tuesday 20 February, 5.00pm

Box Office: 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk

Find out who has been nominated for Manchester Theatre Awards for their performances in 2017 here – winners to be announced in a star-studded ceremony at The Lowry’s Quays Theatre on Friday 9 March 2018, hosted by actor and comedian Justin Moorhouse.