MIF19: Tree at Upper Campfield Market Hall

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Tree Manchester International Festival 2019 MIF MIF19 credit Marc Brenner
Marc Brenner

Tree at Upper Campfield Market Hall, Castlefield 29 June — 13 July 2019 Tickets from £30 — Book now

The major world-premiere production of Tree, created by Idris Elba and Kwame Kwei-Armah will blend live music, dance and film to explore the past, present and future of a contemporary South Africa. Set in the round within the atmospheric Upper Campfield Market Hall, the dynamic cast will tell the story of a country at a crossroads through the eyes of one young man.

For this highlight of MIF19, the audience is stood, at the heart of the action, with the performance unfolding around it. Alfred Enoch (How to Get Away with Murder, Trust Me) and multi-award-winning actor Sinéad Cusack star in MIF19 show which audiences and critics alike are loving.

Kaleo has grown up in London as the child of South African parents. His parents’ homeland is just 12 hours away, yet to Kaleo it feels like a completely different world. A sudden tragedy in his family forces Kaleo to visit South Africa for the first time. The apartheid has ended, but the country is still dealing with the aftermath. Kaleo enters into a journey to uncover his own past as a means to confront his future. But first he has to deal with the present – a fractured family, fighting to hold on to what they believe is theirs – and a nation dealing with the hangover of its own turbulent past.

MIF19: Tree at Upper Campfield Market Hall
MIF19: Tree at Upper Campfield Market Hall

Created by Idris Elba, whose album Mi Mandela provides the soundtrack, and Kwame Kwei-Armah, the dynamic new Artistic Director of London’s Young Vic, Tree takes audiences on a thrilling journey in search of the soul and the spirit of contemporary South Africa. This electrifying new work, exploring identity, family and belonging, will place the audience right at the centre of the action.

Of this exciting collaboration, Idris Elba said “Kwame and I have both had a strong desire to work with each other for a long time now; we’ve both experienced personal moments of healing connected with the country and we’re starting to explore that together. For me, an interesting part of the process is looking at the next part of the story; the new universe that sprung up after Mandela. To be able to investigate that with Kwame, a writer with such tremendous vision for whom I have great respect and love, and within the artistic community of MIF, is something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time.”

Tree at Upper Campfield Market Hall, Castlefield 29 June — 13 July 2019 Tickets from £30 Book now

Where to go near MIF19: Tree at Upper Campfield Market Hall

Castlefield
Bar or Pub
Cask

Cask is a well-loved pub on Liverpool Road in Manchester. It has an excellent selection of continental beers and a cosy beer garden.

Manchester
Restaurant
Cibo

Cibo is one of the newer Italian restaurant to open in Manchester. Modern Italian food in snazzy city centre surroundings.

Castlefield
Bar or Pub
Atlas Bar

Situated in the railway arches of Deansgate, Atlas is an elegant, quality bar specialising in nearly 600 gins from around the world.

Castlefield
Restaurant
The Deansgate Tavern

The Deansgate is located in the heart of Manchester. A traditional pub with homemade food and real ales, this is truly one of the greatest watering holes in Manchester.

The Life Centre North
City Centre
Event venue
The Life Centre North

The Life Centre, just off Deansgate in Manchester, is a place which offers yoga and Pilates classes for people of all abilities. 

Deansgate
Bar or Pub
Cloud 23

Manchester’s Cloud 23, the cocktail bar siting proud on the 23rd floor of the Beetham Tower, boasts unparalleled views across the city.

What's on: Music

Until
ActivityManchester
DJ Gym at Hatch

Learn some DJ and production skills with DJ Gym Manchester, based in the culturally infused surrounds of Hatch.

from £269
Until
MusicManchester
Open Deck at Band on the Wall

Bring your records for a spin at our Open Deck session this Saturday! If you’ve bought some new vinyl from a local record shop this week, just show your receipt at the bar to get yourself a free 9” pizza!

MusicManchester
EXTC at Band on the Wall

Terry Chambers, the original drummer from XTC, brings the revered band’s classic songs to Band on the Wall this July.

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Affecting contemporary performances and fresh, relevant takes on enduring classics, we pick out shows that help us scrutinise the world we live in.

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.