MIF19: The Nico Project at The Stoller Hall

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

The Nico Project at The Stoller Hall

The Stoller Hall, Manchester
10-21 July 2019

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

MIF19 The Nico Project at The Stoller Hall Manchester International Festival
Photo: Jon Shard
Book now

From the release of her 1967 debut album with The Velvet Underground to her untimely death in 1988, Nico was an enigma of popular culture. Now in a world premiere performance at The Stoller Hall, Maxine Peake and Sarah Frankcom join their creative forces to shine a light on this visionary figure.

Singer. Songwriter. Musician. Model. Actress. The Nico Project probes and illuminates the life of Christa Päffgen, who is better known by her stage name, Nico. This performance promises to be a moving theatrical engagement into her identity, her sound and the world in which she fought to be heard.

Nico’s 1968 album The Marble Index, which was ignored on its original release but is now commonly regarded as a definitive masterpiece of 1960s counterculture, forms the inspiration for The Nico Project.

Written by award-winning playwright EV Crowe with music by the acclaimed composer Anna Clyne, The Nico Project is sure to bring us closer to the shadows that haunted Nico, and help us to understand the past and the part it played in shaping her. Created by four powerful female voices – Peake, Frankcom, Crowe and Clyne – in a clever parallel, The Nico Project will also resonate with the vigor of female creativity in theatre today.

Where to go near MIF19: The Nico Project at The Stoller Hall

Virgin Red Room
Manchester
Virgin Red Room

The Virgin Red Room is a new private members space located at Manchester’s AO Arena, with VIP access to some of the city’s biggest gigs.

Manchester
Restaurant
Umezushi

This small but perfectly-formed sushi restaurant could well be one of Manchester’s best restaurants. Whatever you do, try the freshwater eel.

Manchester
Restaurant
Chish & Fips

A special kind of Japanese-inspired fish and chip shop, from the team behind the incredible (and sadly-missed) Umezushi restaurant.

Manchester
Restaurant
Kitchen In An Arch

An offshoot from the much-loved Umezushi, this specialist deli is a one-stop-shop for all your sushi making needs, and also hosts occasional workshops to improve your culinary skills.

Chetham’s Library in Long Millgate in Manchester
Manchester
Library
Chetham’s Library

Chetham’s Library is one of the must-sees of any visit to Manchester. The library was founded in 1653, and is the oldest public library in the world – but the building dates back even further, to 1421.

Cathedral Quarter
Place of worship
Manchester Cathedral

A regular venue for gigs and one-off cultural events, Manchester Cathedral is nevertheless a working place of worship – open all year round.

Cathedral Quarter
Restaurant
Mamucium

High-class restaurant next to Victoria Station in Manchester, and attached to Hotel Indigo. Famed for steaks.

Cathedral Gardens
Cathedral Quarter
Park
Cathedral Gardens

Cathedral Gardens is a partially lawned public space in Manchester city centre, located between Manchester Cathedral and the National Football Museum.

Manchester
Event venue
Festa Italiana

The 2022 Festa Italiana was a roaring success, with great food options and captivating live music performances throughout the weekend.

What's on:

A Christmas Carol at Bolton Octagon
Until
FamiliesBolton
A Christmas Carol

Bringing music, laughter and a welcome dose of festive cheer, a brand-new adaptation of the Dickensian classic is the perfect festive treat for families this Christmas.

From £15.00

Culture Guides

A doll with makeup peeks out of a hanging wall of butter yellow fabric. Red and black threads descend and cascade around the doll.
Exhibitions in the North

This season, exhibitions across the North West feel attuned to the world beneath the world – the forces and stories shaping how we see, feel and imagine.

Music in the North

Manchester’s starting the new year with a run of gigs from some of the country’s best underground exports.

A performer in a bright red costume sits on a snowy stage set, holding a large snowball between their legs with a surprised expression. The colourful winter backdrop features snowflakes, hills, a snowman, and a traffic light with glowing lights.
Family things to do in the North

Whether you’re after storybook theatre, museum wanderings or illusion-bending play spaces, there’s plenty to keep curiosity ticking through winter and beyond.

Textured portrait image of Jarman
Theatre in the North

Theatre across the North West splits between festive escape and sharp, urgent work exploring politics, power and resistance.

A Girl Walks Home Alone At Night
Cinema in the North

There's no shortage of great films out at the moment, whether you're looking for the latest blockbuster, that hot arthouse flick fresh from Cannes or a cosy classic.

Food and Drink in the North

Hear ye, hear ye. Take some eating-out tips from our wintertime guide to food and drink in Manchester and the North.