Sophie Willan: Branded at The Lowry

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

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Contact and The Lowry present: Sophie Willan – Branded

Lowry, Salford
31 May 2018

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

Steve Ullathorne
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Comedian Sophie Willan hasn’t had a particularly easy life. Brought up in foster care, she spent most of her teenage years moving from one home to another, never able to settle down and almost always finding herself in strange surroundings.

All that might sound like a recipe for misery, but Willan’s talent lies in her ability to turn tragedy on its head, making laughter from her most tearful situations. For example, her last show On Record created a comic script from her childhood caseworker notes – an impressive accomplishment. Willan’s appeal lies in her ability to strike up an easy rapport with her audience as she probes her identity as a northern, female, working-class comic.

Sophie Willan has spent much time being branded by others. Now in this smash-hit show, she returns to The Lowry where she takes the labels she has been given throughout her life – rude, useless, no good – and feeds them through her pity-free merriment machine. The result is a belting show with plenty of laughs, but also a good few poignant moments.

What's on at Lowry

Where to go near Sophie Willan: Branded at The Lowry

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Irwell Sculpture Trail

The 33-mile trail, which follows the River Irwell from Salford Quays all the way to Bacup in Pennine Lancashire, has been around for over a decade, but it’s recently been restored and expanded.

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Central Bay

Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

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High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

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Jump into waters of dock 9 at Salford Quays with Uswim, they bring the benefits and freedom of open water swimming to the convenience of a central location.

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11 Central is a new bar and microbrewery launched by local brewing legends SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO at the Central Bay site in Salford.

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Shop
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