Last Orders and National Express re:played at Contact

Later this month Library Theatre Company joins forces with Contact to present the fourth annual re:play Festival. Bringing together the most exciting new theatre from the last 12 months the festival offers an exclusive second chance to see work from venues such as Studio Salford, Taurus and the 24:7 Theatre Festival.
 
Other events part of the festival include the re:play debate tackling the question ‘Who Does Theatre Belong To?’ and First Stage, which offers writers, devisors and performers the chance to test ideas in front of an audience. New for 2011 Pitch Party will offer young artists the chance to pitch an idea for a new work to the Library Theatre Company and Contact. One winning idea will be chosen to go forward for development.

Programme

Tue 18 Jan (7pm); Wed 19 Jan (9pm); Thu 20 Jan (7pm)

Make Believe by Luke Walker and Sally Lawton
If you let it your mind can take you anywhere. But in a world where fantasy and fact collide is it time to stop pretending and join the real world?  After all it’s only make believe… isn’t it?

Tue 18 Jan (9pm); Wednesday 19 Jan (7pm); Thu 20 Jan (9pm)

The National Express by Stephanie Ridings.
Three women set out on journey aboard a National Express coach heading to Manchester. Their aim? To test The Divine Comedy’s theory: ‘Take the National Express when your life’s in a mess, it will make you smile.’

Tue 21 Jan (7pm); Sat 22 Jan (4.30pm & 7pm)

Islanders by Dick Curran.
A witty, dark drama about three days in the lives of three very different people working as wardens on the remote Farne Islands. Peter is an embittered maverick, a self-styled modern-day hermit who is nominally managed by the career-mined Ellen. Their stale-mate is upset by the arrival of Nicola, a smart urban worman who seems very out of place on the islands.

Fri 21 Jan (9pm); Sat 22 Jan (2pm & 9pm)

Be Rain For Me by Susi Wrenshaw.
Life long friends Leah and Willow are stuck working together in a fish factory in deepest Salford, but they are about to embark on a journey of self-discovery. A bereavement un Willow’s family triggers a heart-breaking chain of events as her father’s deeply buried lies surface and a colossal truth unravels. Packed with humour and pathos Be Rain For Me boldly challenges preconceptions of domestic abuse.

Tue 25 Jan (9pm); Wed 26 (2pm & 7pm)

Beat Surrender by Brian M Clarke and Tom Elliot.
Jack Kerouac has fled to America in light of the sudden success of his novel On The Road. He needs time to reassess his life. In a London hotel bar Jack meets bride-to-be Maggie, propelling them, both into conflicts and decisions that will shape the rest of their lives. Beat Surrender is an exuberant and evocative fantasy that conjures up the coffee-house bohemian atmosphere of bygone days.

Tue 25 Jan (7pm); Wed 26 Jan (9pm)

One Night There by Bhean Ali.
In an unknown time in a place ruled solely by men two women form a bond that forces them to question the world around them. Is there an escape? If there is can they pay the price? One Night There is an unflinching portrayal of one woman’s attempt to speak out in a world where men have the last word. Live music, rich language and strong physicality combine in a play that is both lyrical and heart-rending.

Wed 26 Jan (6.30pm); Thu 27 Jan (8pm)

Last Orders by Sarah McDonald Hughes.
Audience to meet at Contact as venue is a secret location!
Robbie is out on his last night of freedom. Michelle is out on her last night in Manchester. Ten years ago they missed their moment – will they let it pass them by again? Set in a Manchester pub Last Orders is play about new starts, last chances and near misses.

Thu 27 Jan (8pm); Fri 28 Jan (9pm); Sat 29 Jan (8pm)

JB Shorts
Three 15 minute plays by top TV writers.

A Selfish Boy by Christopher Reason.
The last conversation between a mother and son. Has she really said what he thinks she has?

Watching The Detectives by James Quinn.
So many television detectives fighting over one prime time slot. There can only be one solution… murder!

Going To Extremes by Lisa Holdsworth.
Set during the English Defence League’s demonstration in Bradford an everyday tale of racism, religious intolerance and branded lager.

Other Events

Mon 24 Jan, 7pm, £4/2

First Stage
A chance for writers, devisors and performers to test their ideas under development in front of a public audience.

Fri 28 Jan, 7pm, Free

Pitch Party
New for 2011 an opportunity for young artists to pitch an idea to the Library Theatre Company and Contact. The winning entry will go forward for development.

Sat 29 Jan, 3.30pm, Free

re:play Debate
Get involved in this year’s re:play debate where the ask ‘Who Does Theatre Belong To?’. Hosted by Contact’s artistic director Baba Israel.