Joseph Morpurgo: Hammerhead at The Deaf Institute

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

Joseph Morpurgo: Hammerhead

The Deaf Institute, Manchester
24 May 2018

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Joseph Morpurgo: Hammerhead at The Bread Shed
Joseph Morpurgo
Book now

Joseph Morpurgo’s Hammerhead begins when “the show” ends. The performer, Joseph Morpurgo, has just brought the curtain down on his one-man durational Frankenstein production, in which he plays all 85 characters in 12 different languages, over nine long hours. When Hammerhead begins, we join Morpurgo at his post-show Q&A session with the audience.

Morpurgo’s shows are some of the most inventive and innovative shows that you will ever see. In Hammerhead he takes on the persona of a pretentious actor riding the post-show high – however, the more he takes himself seriously, the more the show starts to fall apart. In the style of a true Q & A questions are received from the audience and also from online viewers. Morpurgo blends his unique comic style with digital imagery and skilfull lighting to create an outrageously funny and lightly nuanced spoof that will have you totally smitten.

Often straddling the line between comedy sketch and theatrical performance, Morpurgo has produced some of the most acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe shows of recent years and Hammerhead is his fourth solo show. Bringing outlandishly funny multimedia comedy, this is a prime opportunity to catch the three-time 2016 Chortle Award winner and BBC Radio Four personality Joseph Morpurgo. This show completely sold-out at Edinburgh Fringe last year, don’t miss out.

Where to go near Joseph Morpurgo: Hammerhead at The Deaf Institute

exterior of Contact Theatre building
Manchester
Theatre
Contact Theatre

Following a major redevelopment, the iconic venue on Oxford Road will be reopening its doors to welcome the public back into the building this autumn. 

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Sandbar

Sandbar, just off Oxford Road in Manchester, is a well-loved watering hole, with a great selection of ales and some eccentric seating.

Johnny Roadhouse store
Manchester
Shop
Johnny Roadhouse

Buffeted by fried chicken outlets, legendary musical instrument emporium Johnny Roadhouse has been serving the local music community for over 50 years.

Manchester
Catalog Bookshop

Find Peter and his Christiania cargo bike around All Saints Park, a hop, skip and a bunnyhop from Manchester Poetry Library.

Manchester
Event venue
The Proud Place

Based in the heart of Manchester on Sidney Street, The Proud Place houses The Proud Trust and serves as a community hub for the wider LGBT+ population across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Eighth Day

Eighth Day is a co-operative shop that sells ethically-sourced food, wine and cosmetics. There’s also café that serves hearty, healthy meals in the basement.

What's on: Comedy

Amy Webber comedian
Until
ComedyChapel Street
Greater Manchester Fringe 2025

Greater Manchester Fringe Festival 2025 offers a fascinating and diverse programme of performance with ticket prices that won’t break the bank.

From £5.00
Until
ComedyManchester
XS Malarkey

Providing award-winning Comedy since 1997, XS Malarkey is a not-for-profit comedy club, hosted every week by Toby Hadoke.

From £3
Until
ComedyManchester
Comedy Balloon

Every Wednesday at Ape & Apple, Manchester’s official underground comedy club, Comedy Balloon’s friendly and warm comedy night takes place.

Free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
The Comedy Vault

Every Monday night upstairs at Fierce Bar, The Comedy Vault hosts an outrageously funny open-mic night. Come and try your hand or just to watch and laugh.

Free entry
Until
ComedyManchester
Creatures of the Night Comedy Club

An insanely committed seven-nights-a-week, Creatures of the Night Comedy Club opens its doors (20.30-22.30 typically, though please check) for evening after evening of side-splitting comedy.

From £5.00

Culture Guides

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.