Summer Theatre at HOME

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Summer Theatre at HOME
Image courtesy of HOME/ Eclipse Theatre.

Summer Theatre at HOME at HOME Manchester, Manchester 1 — 9 July 2022 Tickets from £12.50 — Book now

At a time when theatres ordinarily begin to wind down for the summer, HOME Manchester is positively springing to life. There’s lots of theatre to experience this summer at HOME.

Three unique performances are coming to HOME this July.

There’s the First Street Festival, running over five weekends this summer until 3 July, right outside HOME in Tony Wilson Place. Then, there’s also some really exciting work happening inside the building too. We’re thrilled that three unique performances are coming to HOME this July – two compelling new commissions and a returning artist, a HOME favourite – with a show so good, it demands to be seen again.

An intoxicating trilogy of thought-provoking and uplifting performance.

In an exciting co-commission by HOME and Eclipse Theatre, Congolese multi-disciplinary artist Dorcas Seb brings a new one-woman show to Theatre 2. Happening from 1 – 2 July, Vice Versa blends music, storytelling and physical theatre to examine one character’s journey towards enlightenment.

Vice versa at HOME
Vice versa by Dorcas Seb. Image courtesy of HOME.

A familiar face on Manchester’s theatre scene, Dorcas Seb is a hugely talented performer and maker. A writer, actor and vocalist, her theatre credits include Black Men Walking (Eclipse Theatre) and I told my mum I was going on an R.E trip ( 20 Stories High).

Vice Versa tells the story of Xella, a young woman who undergoes a transformation – becoming a symbol of freedom and an active voice for change in a totalitarian and androidlike world. Entertaining and reflective, Vice Versa combines brilliant writing with spoken word, slick physicality and sublime vocals to explore faith and hope, perceived reality, and finding our place in the world.

From 7 – 9 July, HOME’s Theatre 2 performance space will host Here & Now by Swiss contemporary artist Trân Tran.

Here & Now at HOME
Here & Now at HOME. Image courtesy of Agnès Mellon.

Witty and interactive, Here & Now seeks to explore the space between audience and performer, to celebrate the beautiful ‘here and now’ of live theatre. Much of Trân Tran’s artistic practice examines the underpinnings of human relationships and our drive to connect through art.

Trân Tran was first introduced to HOME through the Swiss Selection Edinburgh programme when they undertook a week-long digital residency in 2020. During the week, the artist hosted a digital workshop which helped to shape this performance. Unpicking the role of the performer and their relationship to the audience, Here & Now is a fresh and playful, though disciplined, performance exploring the beauty of liveness.

Completing the trilogy of shows happening at First Street this summer is HOME favourite Scottee with his acclaimed show Fat Blokes. Following two previous sell-out runs in 2018 and 2019, Scottee returns to HOME with another performance of this raw and personal show. This is quite possibly the last chance audiences will get to see the show live.

Scottee: Fat Blokes at HOME
Image courtesy of HOME.

Created by artist and writer Scottee, this engaging, tender and challenging show is about big bellies, double chins and the men that they belong to. Part forum, part dance expression – Fat Blokes is a performative protest about fatness – a sharing of stories and an exploration of identity through movement. Made in collaboration with five plus-size participants, the show explores how each of the five performers engage with their bodies, and their individual narratives around food, sexuality, race, relationships and happiness. It’s hard-hitting though joyous, and fantastically performed.

HOME certainly promises to deliver an intoxicating trilogy of thought-provoking and uplifting performance this summer.

Summer Theatre at HOME at HOME Manchester, Manchester 1 — 9 July 2022 Tickets from £12.50 Book now

What's on at HOME Manchester

Dune Part two
Until
CinemaManchester
Dune: Part Two at HOME

Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family.

from £7.95

Where to go near Summer Theatre at HOME

Manchester
Restaurant
Indian Tiffin Room, Manchester

Indian Tiffin Room is a restaurant specialising in Indian street food, with branches in Cheadle and Manchester. This is the information for the Manchester venue.

The Ritz Manchester live music venue
Manchester
Music venue
The Ritz

The Ritz was originally a dance hall, built in 1928, has hosted The Beatles, Frank Sinatra and The Smiths and is still going strong as a gig venue now.

Homeground
Manchester
Event venue
Homeground

Homeground is HOME’s brand new outdoor venue, providing an open-air space for theatre, food, film, music, comedy and more.

Manchester
Café or Coffee Shop
Burgess Cafe Bar
at IABF

Small but perfectly-formed café – which also serves as the in-house bookstore, stocking all manner of Burgess-related works, along with recordings of his music. It’s a welcoming space, with huge glass windows making for a bright, welcoming atmosphere.

Rain Bar pub in Manchester
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Rain Bar

This huge three-floor pub, formerly a Victorian warehouse, then an umbrella factory (hence the name), has one of the city centre’s largest beer gardens. The two-tier terrace overlooks the Rochdale canal and what used to be the back of the Hacienda, providing an unusual, historic view of the city.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
The Briton’s Protection

Standing on the corner of a junction opposite The Bridgewater Hall, The Briton’s Protection is Manchester’s oldest pub. It has occupied the same spot since 1795, going under the equally patriotic name The Ancient Britain.

What's on: Theatre

Culture Guides

Teenage Dads
Music in Manchester and the North

Fresh concert seasons, forward-thinking festivals and a revolving door of amazing gigs. Things are looking bright as spring comes into view.