Carousel of Us at Swinton Square

Coming to Swinton Square this July, a brand new, site-specific theatre production travels through the decades to tell a series of interwoven stories from lives lived across Swinton’s past, present and future.

Running 4-6 July (timings below), Carousel of Us is the latest creation from longstanding collaborators Lowri Evans and Renato Bolelli Rebouças, whose award-winning work has featured at the likes of Contact Theatre and the Museum of Science and Industry. Following 2019’s Precarious Carnival, which saw six kilometres of the Bridgewater Canal come alive with performances and installations, the pair re-unite for another ambitious, site-specific piece – this time exploring the universal themes of change, place and time.

The production takes place in Swinton Square shopping precinct, where businesses come and go, fashions change and seasons pass. Amid this merry-go-round of everyday life, audiences are invited to take pause and ponder their own part in history, while celebrating the joy of community and simply being alive. Scenes will unfold in the Square’s shops and cafes, offering an insight into everyday lives in Swinton from the 70’s through to the present day, as well as reaching into an imagined future of this on-the-up Salford town. These scenes will culminate in a finale in which the performers come together in a joyous celebration of life.

Commissioned by Salford City Council and produced by From the Other, the event has the Swinton community at its heart, and has been put together in collaboration with many local people keen to champion their town in such a creative way. In the words of Co-Director Lowri:

“Carousel of Us will be created by and for Swinton people of all ages, including the choirs, dance classes, writing groups, youth centre, schools, shops and businesses that we’ve been honoured to spend time with over the past six months. Swinton has a rich heritage of music and performance, arts festivals and the Lancastrian Hall, so it’s no surprise that we have met so many contributors who we will be rehearsing and making the project with throughout June.”

John Searle, Executive Director of Place at Salford City Council, adds: “It’s really exciting to see a project like Carousel of Us working with local people to create something special right in the heart of Swinton town centre – transforming community spaces and vacant shop units into a unique theatrical experience.”

All performances are one hour long, and take place at 5pm and 7pm on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 July, and at 3pm and 5pm on Saturday 6 July. Tickets are free and can be booked via the button below, or in person at Swinton’s much-loved community arts venue, Arts Let Loose.