Lemn Sissay: Something Dark at HOME

Sarah-Clare Conlon, Literature Editor
Lemn Sissay
Lemn Sissay.

Lemn Sissay: Something Dark at HOME Manchester, Manchester 13 October 2017 Tickets from £15.00 — Book now

It’s National Poetry Day on Thursday 28 September, taking “freedom” as its theme. Almost on cue, Lemn Sissay is on stage, exploring identity and our place in the world as part of Journeys Festival International and Orbit Festival 2017, which brings together innovative work from writers and theatre-makers across the globe.

One year on from the publication of his first book in eight years, Gold from the Stone, the celebrated performance poet (and Chancellor at the University of Manchester) is back at HOME; this time with his moving one-man play, Something Dark. The powerful and dramatic monologue tells the real-life story of Lemn Sissay’s upbringing in children’s homes and foster care, and the search for his blood family.

Originally directed by head honcho of Manchester International Festival John McGrath for National Theatre of Wales, the piece has since been performed around the world to critical acclaim and adapted for broadcast on BBC Radio 3. This is a rare chance to catch it on home turf.

 

Lemn Sissay: Something Dark at HOME Manchester, Manchester 13 October 2017 Tickets from £15.00 Book now

What's on at HOME Manchester

Until
Manchester
Playreading Group at HOME

HOME’s Playreading Group is open to all and offers an opportunity to read and discuss plays that are linked to their theatre productions.

CinemaManchester
It’s A Wonderful Life at HOME

This ultimate feel-good, festive favourite, from Oscar-winning director Frank Capra, stars James Stewart as despairing businessmen George Bailey. HOME present their annual screenings.

from £9.15
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
A Fine Toothed Comb at HOME

Turner prize winner Lubaina Himid curates HOME’s newest exhibition ‘A Fine Toothed Comb’, an in-depth exploration of Manchester’s communities, geography, geology and architecture.

free entry

Where to go near Lemn Sissay: Something Dark at HOME

Manchester
Restaurant
Indian Tiffin Room, Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room is a restaurant specialising in Indian street food, with branches in Cheadle and Manchester. This is the information for the Manchester venue.

The Ritz Manchester live music venue
Manchester
Music venue
The Ritz

The Ritz was originally a dance hall, built in 1928, has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths and is still going strong as a gig venue now.

Homeground
Manchester
Event venue
Homeground

Homeground is HOME’s brand new outdoor venue, providing an open-air space for theatre, food, film, music, comedy and more.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Burgess Cafe Bar
at IABF

Small but perfectly-formed café – which also serves as the in-house bookstore, stocking all manner of Burgess-related works, along with recordings of his music. It’s a welcoming space, with huge glass windows making for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Rain Bar pub in Manchester
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Rain Bar

This huge three-floor pub, formerly a Victorian warehouse, then an umbrella factory (hence the name), has one of the city centre’s largest beer gardens. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale canal and what used to be the back of the Hacienda, providing an unusual, historic view of the city.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Briton’s Protection

Standing on the corner of a junction opposite The Bridgewater Hall, The Briton’s Protection is Manchester’s oldest pub. It has occupied the same spot since 1795, going under the equally patriotic name The Ancient Britain.

What's on: Literature

Writer Nicholas Royle. Photo by Zoe McLean
Until
LiteratureManchester
Ghosts at the Old Library

Levenshulme Old Library has commissioned brand-new festive ghost stories from six writers for three special atmospheric lantern-lit reading events after hours in the Carnegie building.

from £10
LiteratureWest Yorkshire
Poetry at the Dusty Miller

Poetry at the Dusty Miller is a brand-new night with invited readers, organised by Carcanet-published Carola Luther and Judith Willson in the Coiners’ Room in the Mytholmroyd pub.

free entry
Nathan Parker
LiteratureManchester
Verbose at The King’s Arms

One of Manchester’s longest-running monthly spoken word and live literature events, Verbose welcomes two invited headliners to the stage each month, plus a selection of open mic performers.

free entry

Culture Guides

Music in Manchester and the North

Spotlighting global artists who all, in one way or another, break the mould, we preview the best gigs happening this side of Christmas and beyond.