One of next year’s big openings has just got a bit closer, as HOME announces its opening date, and programme.

It may have been a long time coming, but HOME has made its opening feel just that bit closer today with the announcement of its opening date. The new, £25m arts centre, which counts as its patrons Danny Boyle, Meera Syal, Suranne Jones and Phil Collins (no, not that Phil Collins), officially opens its doors on 21 May 2015 – just in time for a Bank Holiday weekend’s worth of film, theatre and artistic treats. It is an opening that Danny Boyle described as a “tantalizing” prospect in a recent interview for HOME – and if he thinks it’s going to be good, who are we to argue?

Danny Boyle described it as a “tantalizing” prospect

So, the opening weekend takes as its theme The Funfair, and features the premiere of a new version of the dark and funny play, Kasimir and Karoline. In it, two young lovers on the verge of splitting up take their relationship apart – against the whirling backdrop of a funfair. The 1929 play has been adapted by Simon Stephens, who has won awards for his adaptations of plays such as On The Shore of the Wide World and the National Theatre’s The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

The darkness continues in group exhibition, The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things – here, work by the likes of Douglas Coupland and Wu Tsang delves into what sits beneath the glitz and the kitsch of the fair. HOME’s film programme, meanwhile, takes a more musical turn, with new commissions by the likes of Josephine (last seen at Chaos to Order), Dutch Uncles and the Mercury Prize-nominated Gogo Penguins performed alongside re-mastered silent film, archive footage and artist’s films.

Can’t wait until 21 May? Fear not, HOME has got it covered, courtesy of a new commission from the renowned choreographer, Hofesh Shechter – one of three that Shechter has planned for HOME during 2015. On 30 April (to 2 May), his performance will take place inside HOME’s largest theatre space – the first time that the public will see the space in use. And if all that isn’t enough to whet your appetite, stay tuned for more announcements: HOME’s full programme will be announced on 14 January, just as tickets go on sale.