Moments of Connection with the Royal Exchange

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Moments of Connection with the Royal Exchange
Image courtesy of the Royal Exchange.

21 July — 31 August 2020 Entrance is free — Visit now

Taking inspiration from universal themes such as human connection, joy, kindness and compassion, Moments of Connection is a collection of original short plays that are available to watch via the Royal Exchange Theatre‘s YouTube channel.

Since the start of May, the Royal Exchange Young Company Writers Group, aged 17-22, have been working with dramaturg Suzanne Bell and playwright Joe Ward Munrow to develop their playwriting skills. At the beginning of the project, each writer was tasked to create a monologue that celebrated human connection and harnessed the powerful, emotional truth that drama can capture.

In this time they have created nine brand-new monologues. An exploration of closeness, each monologue has been performed and captured on film. Written during the period of lockdown, Moments of Connection saw the young people work with award-winning professional actors and directors such as Julie Hesmondhalgh, Geraldine Somerville, Kudzia Sitima, Miranda Cromwell, Katy Rudd and Atri Banerjee. With exchanges taking place over Zoom, each piece was shaped through collaboration and discussion, enabling the young people to explain the wording, motivation and inspiration behind their work.

Inga Hurst, Director of Creative Learning and Engagement at the Royal Exchange said: “For these young writers to then be paired with award-winning actors and directors and collaborate on making their monologues into short films was a vital part of their learning process. I think they have created something very special, filled with hope for our future. These nine writers are certainly names to watch out for and we can’t wait to work with some of them again for our Young Company summer project coming soon.”

21 July — 31 August 2020 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Moments of Connection with the Royal Exchange

Manchester
Restaurant
Fairfield Social Club

Launching in spring 2024, Fairfield Social Club is a multi-purpose site next to Angel Meadows Park in the Green Quarter.

Cumbria
Theatre
The Coro

Nestled in the heart of Ulverston, a rural market town on the fringes of the Lake District, stands The Coro —an esteemed historic hub for arts, culture, and entertainment

Cumbria
Shop
Sam Read Bookseller

Award-winning small bookshop in the Lake District. Est. by Sam Read in 1887. Run by Will Smith and Polly Atkin.

Restaurant
Capri

Capri serves up homely, family-style Italian food in North Yorkshire.

Manchester
Restaurant
Manchester Wine Tours

Manchester Wine Tours is a relaxed, fun wine tour, taking in four or five venues across three hours, plus six high-quality glasses of wine.

Sheffield
Shop
Juno Books

Friendly local queer and intersectional feminist bookshop in Sheffield. Visit for interesting fiction and non fiction books.

Restaurant
The Dusty Miller

Family friendly pub situated in the beautiful village of Mytholmroyd.

Winckley Square
Lancashire
Park
Winckley Square

Hosting a variety of year-round events, from guided walks to jazz evenings, Winckley Square is a Georgian square packed with history in Preston city centre.

What's on: Theatre

Culture in South Lakes
Until
ExhibitionsCumbria
Culture in South Lakes

Not only one of Britain’s most picturesque national parks, the Lake District is also brimming with culture. Here’s what’s on over the next few months.

free entry
Hamilton at the Palace Theatre
Until
TheatreManchester
Hamilton at the Palace Theatre

Politically charged, with outstanding performances and a hip-hop soundtrack, there is no doubt Hamilton is one of the most eagerly anticipated shows to visit Manchester this year.

from £13.00

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.