A pop-up summer theatre festival featuring exhibitions, drumming workshops and world premiere performances will arrive in Manchester later this month.
From July 29 to August 6, the Royal Exchange Theatre will set up eco-friendly mobile theatre The Den at M8 at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Cheetham Hill. The Den festival will feature an array of theatre productions, craft days and work from residents in the area.
Tickets to the event will be free or cost a £1 donation, which will go towards the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal. The two-week festival will feature a brand-new show by Manchester writer Nikhil Parmar and the world premiere of Sonia Jalaly’s Cold Chips and Pick N Mix, which has been developed alongside members of the local community.
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The festival involves local residents from the Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall areas, with faith leaders, local artists, community champions and young people from local schools forming part of the event’s Local Exchange Ambassador team.
Workshops on a variety of topics, including catwalk fashion, podcast creation and art, will be held by local residents and artists. There will also be a M8s Got Talent show where residents can take to the stage themselves.
Roy Alexander Weise, Joint Artistic Director at the Royal Exchange, said: “We can’t wait for this festival. We have been resident in Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall now for almost 4 years and have had the privilege of working alongside so many dedicated residents who are passionate about their community.
“We have such a vibrant programme on offer, the Ambassador team have built a festival for their community with everything from family events to a solo show from the Bush Theatre in London, so now all we’ve got to do is get our pop-up theatre up and throw the doors wide open. It's exciting.”
In total, the Den festival will comprise of 25 individual events, including two exhibitions, nine workshops and 11 performances. There will also be food stalls, spoken word events and a photography competition.
Poppy, a member of the Cheetham Hill Local Exchange Ambassador team, said: “It’s going to be the highlight of the year. Summer 2022 the Royal Exchange Theatre is bringing the Den to M8. I can’t contain my excitement for all of us to share this unique experience.
“There’s something for everyone, something for all ages to enjoy, take part, be creative and transport themselves to what it’s like to be part of a theatre. Learn new skills and maybe spark something inside them they didn’t know they had.”
More information on The Den festival can be found on the Royal Exchange website.
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