The Den at Stalybridge Civic Hall

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Book now

The Den

Royal Exchange Theatre, City Centre
13-24 August 2019

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

The Den at Stalybridge Civic Hall
Image courtesy of the Royal Exchange
Book now

The Den is a brand-new pop-up theatre for Greater Manchester communities. Designed by award-winning architects Haworth Tompkins, The Den is a creative hub where people can share, learn and make.

Stalybridge Civic Hall will become home to The Den for two weeks this summer, and in return, the space will bring a two-week festival of theatre, workshops and family events for the Tameside community to enjoy. The festival will celebrate the work which has been developed as part of the Royal Exchange’s three-year residency in Tameside.

Featuring spoken word, autobiographical performance and dance – it’s an exciting line-up.

Following the recent success of There is a Light That Never Goes Out, and to mark the 200th anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre, audiences to The Den will be able to witness the story of the Luddites brought bang up to date.

There will also be a series of evening performances programmed by the Tameside Ambassadors. Featuring spoken word, autobiographical performance and dance – it’s an exciting line-up.

There will also be the opportunity to watch a brand new performance by the award-winning Royal Exchange Young Company. Utopia will be performed in a special double-bill performance alongside a reading from The Mysteries play cycle by Chris Thorpe.

Over the two-week festival, there will also be a range of family activities to get involved in – from theatre shows and storytelling to hands-on den building and workshops.

What's on at Royal Exchange Theatre

Where to go near The Den at Stalybridge Civic Hall

St Ann’s Square
City Centre
Park
St Ann’s Square

St Ann’s Square is a quiet little enclave of shops, with Barton’s Arcade set back from it on one side, and St Ann’s Church, which dates back to 1712 and…

Rapha Clubhouse Manchester
City Centre
Shop
Rapha Clubhouse Manchester

AKA cyclist heaven, Rapha is more than just a cycle-wear shop. It’s a place for anyone who loves cycling to congregate and celebrate the sport together.

City Centre
King Street Manchester

King Street is one of the most picturesque parts of Manchester with buildings designed by Alfred Waterhouse and C.R. Cockerell. Once Manchester’s financial epicenter, it’s now home to high-end retail and fine dining.

Manchester
Restaurant
KAI Deansgate

Kai is a Turkish restaurant on Deansgate, set up by the brains behind the well-regarded Zouk restaurant. Expect excellent mezze plates and an open grill that releases wonderful aromas throughout the venue.

City Centre
Restaurant
Lunya Manchester

Lunya is a Spanish and Catalan deli and restaurant in Manchester’s stunning Barton Arcade. The food is reliably fresh and the staff both charming and incredibly knowledgable.

City Centre
Shop
Aston’s Of Manchester

In Royal Exchange Arcade, Aston’s of Manchester is a tobacconist that recently branched out into whisky sales. In their shop you’ll find an interesting selection of bottles to buy, including

What's on: Families

Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts
FamiliesManchester
Haphazard 2025 at Z-arts

A free day of bizarre behaviour and exciting live performance at Z-arts. Expect the unexpected. Playful, unpredictable, and not easily forgotten.

Free entry
Africana and Caribbean Food Fest
FestivalsLeeds
African & Caribbean Food Fest 2025

Calling people of Leeds and beyond! The city’s favourite African and Caribbean Food Fest is back, and this year it’s turning up the heat with Harmony of Colours, a celebration…

Free entry

Culture Guides

Cloudwater Production One
Tours and Activities in the North

Go forth with wild abandon to dance the pavements, dabble with the paint and down the pints in this month's tours and activities guide.

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

Harry Baker
Literature Events in the North

From environmental to experimental, our poetry and prose picks from around the North are focused on the unusual and the fun.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Helena Hauff
Music in the North

Shape-shifting bands, scorched-earth techno, and off-grid festivals. Our latest music picks catch the live scene at its most urgent, inventive and alive.