Theatre in the North
Kristy Stott, Theatre EditorThis season’s theatre is gloriously eclectic: from radical cabaret and reinvented classics to new musicals and boundary-pushing performance.
Next week: Pleasure Rebellion comes to HOME. Expect a heady and inclusive mash-up of cabaret, dance and Dionysian revelry – the perfect showcase of collaborative Manchester creativity. Greater Manchester also gets its delicious dose of disorienting eeriness with DARKFIELD’s pitch-black, audio-driven experiences in shipping containers – perfect for anyone looking to try something new.
Heading into October, Lowry hosts Mark Of A Woman, Chisato Minamimura’s multisensory solo show that lets audiences feel sound as it traces women’s histories and body-marking. And back under the arches, JB Shorts returns to 53two with six sharp, brand-new plays from top TV and stage writers.
Go north-west to Bolton for two contrasting shows at the Octagon: Noël Coward’s champagne-sparkling comedy Private Lives and Anna Jordan’s hard-hitting, Bruntwood Prize-winning Yen. Meanwhile, our friends at Liverpool Everyman launch a brilliant new season with a super-fresh take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet.
Further afield, Preston’s Encounter Festival turns the city into a playground of performance, parades and street art. And in Leeds, Transform throws open the doors to bold contemporary work across venues and unexpected spaces – a five-day performance festival and an invitation to take a punt on something new.
From radical cabaret to reinvigorated classics, here are our top picks. Dive in.
