In the midst of all the innovative and interesting theatre in Manchester, Contact on Oxford Road stands out for the unique approach to how it is run, and the way that shows are programmed.
Young people have always been at the heart of what Contact does, as artistic director Matt Fenton explains.
'Contact’s programme of public performances, festivals and events is for everyone, and shows that Contact have developed recently (such as recent productions 'The Spalding Suite', 'No Guts No Heart No Glory', 'Big Girl’s Blouse' and 'Rites') are now thrilling audiences nationally and internationally,' he says.
'But what makes us unique is the remarkable role that young people aged 13-25 play behind the scenes. Contact aims to provide life-changing opportunities for the next generation of artists and audiences, and redefine theatre in the process. So as well as performing in outstanding shows, young people have a huge influence on all aspects of our organisation: they act as board members, young people interview all new staff, and they work alongside our artistic team selecting the shows for the public. Putting young people in the driving seat produces a really exciting and diverse programme, and creates a great atmosphere in the building.'
Some of the most memorable output is created with the Contact Young Company - which has worked on productions such as 'The Shrine of Everyday Things' earlier this year. Coming up this season are works from two different groups. 'Under the Covers' returns October 7-10 after a successful run in spring. Examining young people's contemporary attitudes to sex, questioning myths and breaking down taboos, this is a great chance to catch the performance if you missed it first time round. The Young Company will also present 'How to be Better' December 16-19. Working with Common Wealth, who brought the groundbreaking No Guts, No Heart, No Glory to a Moss Side gym last year, this show asks how we can be our best at Christmas - not someone else’s best, but our own best. Expect high quality, thought provoking theatre.
A New Wave Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells, Hetain Patel’s 'American Boy' is on October 1-2. First shown at Contact as a work in progress before transferring to London to rave reviews, this is a great example of Contact supporting artists from the earliest stages of their work. The show returns with the question: how do movies influence us? Visual artist and dancer Hetain illustrates his narrative by recreating the film characters that have influenced his own life.
Acclaimed Sheffield theatre company Forced Entertainment bring 'The Notebook' to Contact October 20-22 as part of their national tour. This play tells the story of twin brothers evacuated to the Hungarian countryside during World War II, and weaves dark and subversive humour from wartime hardships. Forced Entertainment were formed 30 years ago, and have performed many times at Contact; their work explores what theatre and performance can mean in contemporary life.
Over the next three years Contact will be transformed by a £6.2million project to provide better performance spaces, improve the public areas in the theatre, and better support the involvement of young people, so expect more groundbreaking and innovative performances in the coming years.
Contact, Oxford Road, Manchester. Tickets for all shows now available.
See more things to do in Manchester from Time Out.