What’s On: Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

Bethan Holmes | 1st February 2018

The Royal Exchange is located in Manchester’s city centre with entrances on St Ann’s Square and Cross Street. There are a wide range of shows coming including performances by Julie Hesmondhalgh in The Almighty Sometimes, Zoë Wanamaker in The Cherry Orchard and Maxine Peake in Queens of the Coal Age.

But the packed programme also includes poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy, family entertainment, the stars of the future in the Royal Exchange Young Company and cabaret from Jessica Walker.

The Almighty Sometimes

9 February – 24 February 2018

This coming of age performance shows the relationship between a mother and daughter. Anna (daughter) makes a decision that could affect the rest of her life, can Renee (mother) stand by and watch?

The Almighty Sometimes is the winner of a Judges Award at the 2015 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting.

Moments That Changed Our World

23 February – 25 February 2018

Created by Andrew Barry and TripleDotMakers with the Elders Company, Moments That Changed Our World is created by the Royal Exchange Elders Company. A group of people aged 60-85 standing in the space, together they have years of experience. With direction from Andrew Barry, they navigate a constantly changing world; from big political events to personal intimate moments. TripleDotMakers, the Manchester based moving image studio, join the Elders Company on this show, bringing their innovative artistic methods with them. The Elders ask us two main questions; where are we going and what can history teach us about who we are? This performance is in the studio.

Forbidden Love

28 February – 1 March 2018

In the 20th century homosexual people displayed resilience in times of repression,one of the ways to fight those pressures was through song. The singer and writer Jessica Walker transfers from London to Manchester with this cabaret, exploring the romantic melodies of the 1920s – 1980s. Jessica has recently received a PhD after undertaking practical research into the actor-singer as a creator. This feat has taken her from Australia to China and now Royal Exchange Theatre. Accompanied by Joseph Atkins, the show glides gracefully from past to present with a stunning repertoire of songs, filled with repressed longing and desire. With arrangements including vocals, piano and accordion. This performance is in the studio.

Moonwatcher

2 and 3 March 2018

This multi-artform spectacular is brought to Royal Exchange by Horse and Bamboo Theatre. Hailing from the Pennines, this collective of theatre-makers are on a mission to use fast evolving technologies to inspire and make movements that effect positive change within their community and communities they are invited into. Inspired by the accounts of first generation immigrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh and India to Rossendale, poet Shamshad Khan and writer Bob Frith weave a surreal story of one Pakistani girl’s journey through strange locales to reach her family in England. Including playful puppetry, music by Arun Ghosh and animation from Kain Leo, MOONWATCHER runs in the studio for adults and children aged 9+.

Frankenstein

9th March – 14 April 2018

The adaptation of Frankenstein by April De Angelis marks 200 years since the publication of Mary Shelley’s famous Gothic Horror. Frankenstein is a dark psychological thriller which contains violence so there is an age guidance of 14+.

Mixtape

11 – 14 April 2018

The Award-winning Royal Exchange Young Company present a lyrical adventure into the world of gig theatre that asks – what makes a city and how do you make a city your home? Winners of this years Stage Award for School of the Year, the Young Company continue to create original new theatre with their unique perspective in this brand-new production that is part gig, part play, part party. Directed by Matt Hassall, MIXTAPE promises to be a musical celebration, an ode to the city and great nights out – this production runs in The Studio.

Carol Ann Duffy & Friends: Laureate’s Choice Special
25 April 2018

The poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy is joined by Ella Duffy and company performing a new adaptation of original Carol Ann Duffy poem, Wife. See this in the Studio.

The Cherry Orchard

19 April – 19 May 2018

Madam Ranyeveskaya’s world of privilege is beginning to crack but she lives in denial. Lopakhin wants to rescue the woman he loves with his new found wealth. Directed by Michael Boyd – former Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Happy Days

25 May – 23 June 2018

Winnie and Willie both await the inevitable bell to ring in another happy day. Artistic Director Sarah Frankcom and Associate Artist Maxine Peake continue their creative collaboration with Samuel Beckett’s masterpiece, Happy Days.

Half Breed

31 May – 2 June 2018

One-woman-show, written and staring Alfred Fagon Award shortlisted writer Tasha Marshall, bursts into The Studio. Developed with Talawa, Half Breed started off as a poem and has been constructed into a touring show, just as Marshall has gone from factories in the West Country to stages in London, Edinburgh and now Manchester. This is a semi-autobiographical, high-octane tale of overcoming surroundings and getting out. It received audience and critical acclaim after premiering at 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Joke Translation Service

8 June 2018

Audacious theatre maker Rachel Mars returns to the Royal Exchange Theatre with her new show. Filling in the cultural blanks with side-splitting anecdotes and extended patience. A group of people telling each other their most beloved jokes from the cultures they grew up in, and if other doesn’t get them, trying their best to explain them until they do. Drawing from Jewish and Queer heritages, Mars explores the cultural quirks she was exposed to and invites the same reflections of the vastly diverse People of Manchester who will not just be watching but also taking part. What better way to explore difference than with healing laughter. This production is in the Studio.

Queens of the Coal Age

28 June – 28 July 2018

Anne, Elaine, Dot and Lesley are four ordinary women facing the closure of their community. They refuse to leave the depths of the pit facing bribery and threats to save their beloved Parkside Colliery pit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEwX4banYBI

Anyone’s Guess How We Got Here

14 – 16 June 2018

Barrel Organ, associate artists of Camden People’s Theatre, return with critically acclaimed show. Barrel Organ’s work reflects on the current issues affecting households in the UK. This piece investigates the scars financial difficulties can leave on a family. Writer Jack Perkins weaves a tale of loss within a modern ghost story to tackle the emotional scars left by debt and displacement. The ever-surprising style of story-telling and set design from Barrel Organ means you should expect the unexpected, in the Studio.

Co:LAB

20 – 22 July 2018

This festival of creative collisions and collaboration returns, as the next generation of Manchester’s theatre makers curate a cross-arts exploration of new work, embryonic ideas and installations in Co:LAB. Following the success of 2017, from interactive adventure stories in the basement to vocal installations in the hall, the festival weekend will see the whole building taken over by Greater Manchester artists. A showcase of the best work coming out of Open Exchange – the Royal Exchange’s network of local theatre makers and artists.

The Act

28 July 2018

Devised and performed by Company Three, a powerful group of young performers,  explores the intimate relationships of young people and how they navigate through unfamiliar territory. This show draws out the awkward nervousness and fond memories of teenage relationships while opening the subject of the adolescent experience to conversation. Directed by James Blakey (Upstart Theatre) this show plays in The Studio.

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