Pink Lemonade at Contact

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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Pink Lemonade

Contact Theatre, Manchester
23-27 November 2021

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

Pink Lemonade at Contact
Image courtesy of Bronwen Sharp.
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Blending an original electronic dance track with poetry and movement, Pink Lemonade is an explosive autobiographical performance piece about sexuality, identity and self-discovery.

Created and performed by Mika Onyx Johnson, we’re thrilled that Pink Lemonade continues the trailblazing Reopening Season at Contact. Mika Onyx Johnson is a writer, actor and performance artist from Nottingham, now based in London. Invigorating and powerful, Pink Lemonade traces Johnson’s story and their negotiation of two different, though equally toxic relationships, with two women.

An explosive autobiographical performance piece about sexuality, identity and self-discovery.

Just as Mika begins to feel comfortable in their own body, they find themselves navigating two relationships, with two different women. Blending spoken word, pulsating movement and hypnotic storytelling, the performance tells the story of Mika’s connection with bar manager Simmi who refuses to admit that she is gay, and Token Toni who only dates ‘black and brown butches’ and uses Mia as an accessory.

The show was a huge hit when it played at the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and was named as one of The Stage’s 18 best shows of the festival.

Blending spoken word, pulsating movement and hypnotic storytelling.

Described as ‘dynamic, witty and moving’ (The Scotsman), the performance pivots around these deeply personal relationships as a way of illuminating aspects of modern life relating to race, class, gender and sexuality.

Originally co-produced by HighTide, Pink Lemonade has been created by The Queer House in association with Bush Theatre.

Where to go near Pink Lemonade at Contact

Manchester
Music venue
The Deaf Institute

The Deaf Institute is a vibrant gig venue and nightclub for which it is well worth taking a jaunt out of the Northern Quarter.

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
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
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.

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.

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