Theatre News

Library’s re:play returns to Lowry

The full programme has been announced for the Library Theatre Company’s sixth annual re:play Festival – the unique festival bringing together the most talked-about new theatre seen in the previous 12 months on Manchester and Salford’s fringe theatre scene for an exclusive ‘second chance to see’, at The Lowry in Salford.

The festival includes eight productions, plus a performance of Pandamonium which won the Pitch Party event at last year’s festival, and which has been in development this year.

“This year’s festival, our celebration of the best of Manchester’s fringe, is bigger than ever,” says Library Theatre Company Artistic Director Chris Honer. “The future of theatre in the regions and how funding cuts might affect it has been much in the news lately. Cathy Crabb’s Beautiful House began life in a room above a pub, was showcased in re:play in January 2009, and subsequently given a full production by the Library Theatre Company in April 2010, which shows how the festival can help bring excellent work on the fringe to thousands more people.

JB Shorts presented by the Real Life Theatre Co – four short plays by five TV writers (Ian Kershaw, James Quinn, Dave Simpson and Diane Whitley, and Lindsay Williams) – as one performance.

Kafkaesque by Peter Farrar and Rob Johnston presented by Breathe Out Theatre – four tales inspired by the work of Franz Kafka.

Hidden by Laura Lindsay and Peter Carruthers presented by Black Toffee – a dark comedy-drama about six ordinary people and what happens when they meet.

Stars Are Fire by Francesca Waite presented by Monkeywood Theatre – the story of a young girl forced to leave her home and all she knows.
 
The Bubbler by Cathy Crabb presented by House of Orphans, Eat Theatre, and Bellyfeel – inspired by the Manchester riots and lootings of 2011, and influenced by Milton’s Paradise Lost.

Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down by Richard Cameron presented by Unholy Mess in association with House of Orphans – a touching 1960s drama set against the backdrop of the women’s liberation movement.
 
My Arms by James Leach presented by Box of Tricks – a taut family drama about love and forgiveness told back to front.

All the Bens by Ian Townsend presented by Northern Elastic Theatre Company – a vibrant portrayal of loneliness, desire, and what happens when you meet your monster in the park .

As well as the performance of Pandamonium, an interactive theatre experience exploring sexual addiction and pandas in a gay Muslim’s life, the festival features NewScript Night, in which four of the region’s most promising writers each devise a play based on a current news story, Talking Shop, an Open Space discussion event open to anyone interested in the local theatre scene and Pitch Party, in which theatre creatives pitch their idea in front of an audience to a panel of industry experts.

For further details, visit the Library Theatre website.