Next Left in Lockdown

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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Next Left in Lockdown

26 May-23 June 2020

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Next Left in Lockdown
Writer Suzannah Evans performs her work for Next Left in Lockdown.
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As a response to lockdown, Sheffield-based Next Left have developed seven new short pieces created by a brilliant team of Northern artists.

A proud testament to each artists’ drive to remain creative at such a difficult time for the industry.

Founded by Melanie Crawley, Nadia Emam and Kate Rutter, Next Left are a political theatre collective who assemble to create theatre as a response to current events. The collective’s first event, which took place at DINA in January 2019, was created as a response to the General Election result of 2019. For this new montage of performance, the collective have brought together a talented collaboration of professional actors, writers and directors to develop brand-new work as a reaction to the lockdown situation and COVID-19.

Next Left in Lockdown includes writing from Bryony Lavery, Rani Moorthy, Suzannah Evans, Kate Rutter, Karen Mulcahey, John Hunter and Roy Castleton.  Running at approximately 40 minutes, the programme features a thought-provoking and entertaining combination of drama, poetry and comedy.

A thought-provoking and entertaining combination of drama, poetry and comedy.

Perhaps the most striking thing about this piece of work is the fact that all of the films were made with whatever technology the creatives had access to – from mobile phones to professional equipment. The honesty and rawness demonstrated, through the variation in recording each piece, is a proud testament to each artists’ drive to remain creative at such a difficult time for the industry.

Where to go near Next Left in Lockdown

Manchester
Restaurant
Maki & Ramen

Japanese sushi and ramen restaurant on High Street, Northern Quarter, founded by Teddy Lee. House-made noodles, eight-hour broths, plus sushi, donburi and vegan options.

Restaurant Orme
Manchester
Restaurant
Restaurant Orme

A hidden gem in the suburbs of South Manchester, serving high-level British small plates to a soundtrack of indie rock and roll.

The Abbey
Manchester
Restaurant
The Abbey

Historic Hulme pub with a very good live gig space, brought to you by the very capable team behind YES, Gorilla, Now Wave and Manchester Psych Fest.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Pigeon Beer Wanderer

Pigeon Beer Wanderer brings wine-level ceremony to Manchester’s new “Beermuda Triangle”, courtesy of Joshua Lightfoot and his crack team of booze experts.

Image courtesy of Unitom.
Castlefield
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UNITOM Projects

The exhibition arm of Manchester indie bookshop UNITOM is a dedicated space for contemporary visual culture in the St John’s neighbourhood.

City Centre
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Portfolio

Portfolio is a Champagne boutique on Manchester’s Bridge Street, offering a set menu of fine-dining small bites.

Manchester
Gallery
Bridge 5 Mill

Bridge 5 Mill is a sustainable event space and community hub on Beswick Street in Ancoats, hosting independent cultural projects and ethical supper clubs.

1853 gallery 1
Manchester
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1853 Studios

1853 Studios and Gallery is a Creative Studios and community of creative professionals occupying the 3rd floors of Osborne Mill, Oldham.

Deansgate
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Podium

Podium delivers high-end, seasonal dishes, largely geared around produce and ideas from the British Isles, but with a few deft twists and turns.

Tai Wu
Manchester
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Tai Wu

Long-standing, trend-swerving Chinese restaurant on Manchester’s Upper Brook Street, with a reputation for authentic dim sum and traditional Cantonese cuisine.

Manchester
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BAB Korean Food

A highlight of Manchester’s K-Food space, Bab Korean Food serves up authentic, well-made dishes at the Kargo MKT food hall in MediaCity.

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