One of Manchester’s leading independent theatres has been left devastated after missing out on ‘much-needed’ funding.
53two, a theatre and arts hub beneath the railway arches in the city centre, had applied for Arts Council funding, but its bid was rejected.
The government-funded body said that it had to make ‘tough decisions’ after receiving a huge number of applications.
53two had hoped to use the fund to build a disabled access facility known as a Changing Places toilet – something that no theatre in Manchester currently has.
Creative director Simon Naylor said it’s ‘heartbreaking’ to see theatre-goers with complex access needs having to go home due to a lack of accessible facilities in the city.
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Credit: Fiona Finchett
The Watson Street venue is now planning a party to drum up some support and some investment so that it continue to build its fully accessible creative space.
Theatre patron Tony Walsh (better known to many as Longfella), will be working with the venue to find a local business to invest in the project.
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The theatre only opened in its new home last year, in the Grade II*-listed railway arches and tunnels beneath Manchester Central.
They have already opened a bustling bar and cafe space and secured the planning permission to upgrade the theatre to a 150-seat facility, and install the toilet facilities.
Simon Naylor, creative director of 53two, said that it was ‘terrible’ to miss out on the Arts Council funding – but that the team are now rallying and taking matters into their own hands.
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The vision for 53two’s new 150-seat theatre. Credit: Supplied
He said: “Obviously it was a terrible email to read, but, we sat on it, re-grouped and it was clear that we had to press on regardless of the bid outcome.
“We have already helped produce quality theatre in our small venue, and are continuing to support those artists who need a platform. We have a season of brand new writing lined up including the return of a much loved Manchester institution, loved by many but yet to be announced.
“We have no choice but to take matters into our own hands and are now looking to Manchester’s business community to help us raise the funds needed.”
Speaking of the importance of a specialist Changing Places toilet, Simon continued: “Many of our guests, artists and visitors have complex access needs and can only stay at the venue if we have fully accessible toilet facilities.
“The Changing Places toilet would provide a changing bed, a hoist and lots of space and privacy for carers to help people with using the toilet. Without it many have to leave the venue and go home which is heart breaking to see happen time and time again.
“So, to celebrate our first year anniversary on 27 May, we are inviting people from across Manchester, including those visionaries and giants who we are hoping can provide the financial support we need to grow the venue and create the facilities our patrons require.
“We are offering companies the naming rights for the auditorium for up to the next five years, in return for the investment required to get the theatre space up to spec.”
Coronation Street star, BAFTA winner and TripleC founder Cherylee Houston added her support to the fund-raising drive, saying: “53two is an incredibly important venture for creatives across Manchester.
“Not only did they design their building so far to be entirely step free they actively ensure they include disabled creatives across their work. They are an accessible venue that is warm and welcoming and ensure that all disabled creatives continually feel part of their phenomena programme of work.”
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The party on 27 May will feature live music from The Villanelles, a DJ set and hosting from Tom Finkill, a routine from International Wheelchair Dance Champion Monique Jarrett, and a reading from Tony Walsh himself.
Alexandra Maxwell, venue manager, said: “It’s been a rollercoaster of a year dealing with the challenges of a new business and the ever-changing climate in hospitality. That said, our community was well established at our old venue and their support has been incredible.
“By January 2022 we felt positive that we could start the next chapter of our journey and open up the second arch in its entirety, however the Arts Council’s surprising response and has driven us to try to raise the funds in a different way.”
A spokesperson for Arts Council England said: “Demand for the Capital Investment Programme was extremely high and we received a large number of both Expressions of Interest and applications.
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“We had to make tough decisions, but we awarded funding to applications that most closely meet the criteria and made the strongest contribution to the aims of the programme.
“In 2020 53Two was awarded £61,116 through the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund which supported cultural organisations through the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and we would welcome applications from the organisation to other Arts Council funding programmes in the future.”
If you’re interested in attending the evening or for more information on the Sponsorship Package, please contact Simon on [email protected]
Five places to watch The Traitors finale live on the big screen in and around Manchester
Danny Jones
With this year’s The Traitors finale just around the corner, Greater Manchester and the rest of the UK are preparing for one very big United Kingdom watchalong, including live viewing parties on the big screen.
Some places showed the grand finale last time around, and with the conclusion of series four fast approaching, even more have organised their own Traitors screenings in central Manchester and further afield, too.
We know plenty of you will be more than happy watching it at home, but there’s something about the idea of watching it in a room with a load of excited people over a few pints that just gets us buzzing.
All that being said, here are some places in town and beyond that are hosting screenings of The Traitors’ grand final this coming Friday, 23 January.
Live screening of The Traitors finale in Greater Manchester
1. Nell’s – Northern Quarter
First up on our list is the pizza palace that is Nell’s, specifically the one located inside beloved neighbourhood bar Common in NQ.
The place will be filling up from 8pm, ahead of the show starting half an hour later, and the full food and drinks menu will be available as normal. It’s selling out fast, so book your spot at ‘the roundtable’ now, whilst you still can.
Heading across the city centre to Gay Village, just a road over from the main throughfare of Canal Street, Richmond St’s Cockatoo Club is also holding a Traitors watch party.
Not only being played on the large projector, but also being hosted by cult favourite drag queen, Annabelle Hecter, this one should be a hoot and a half.
3. Fairfield Social Club – Greengate
Next up is one of the first ones not only to announce this year, but hop on the bandwagon of The Traitors watchalongs to begin with.
Fairfield Social Club (also the home of GRUB) are one of the experts when it comes to events like these, and it’s no surprise tickets are also disappearing rapidly. Find out more down below.
There are freebies for quiz winners, as well as the best fancy dress and Claudia Winkleman doubles.
4. Cultplex – Cheetham Hill
Our penultimate spot on the list is fellow royalty when it comes to grassroots events and championing alternative entertainment – they also happen to be the toast of Red Bank.
The Cultplex cinema team are used to smaller screenings, and if anything, this might pull in one of the most mainstream crowds all year, but they always deliver no matter what’s on the box. You can reserve your seats HERE.
5. The Light – Stockport
Last but not least, if you want to see how this season’s drama ends on a REALLY big telly, then you can always book yourself in for a trip to your nearest Light cinema location.
The Stockport branch has great food and drink, comfy recliner seats, plus plenty more – and if you’ve never done one of these live screening events before, this is a great place to start.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied)/BBC
Theatre
An interactive jury experience is happening in Manchester – and it’s selling out FAST
Danny Jones
Yes, you might have heard about different bits of ‘immersive theatre’ here in Manchester before, you may have even tried some of them before, but have you ever been part of an interactive jury experienceinspired by true events?
Didn’t think so.
We’ve come across some pretty unorthodox performance art in our time – the soon-to-arrive Star Wars burlesque show being just one recent example; having said that, this might be one of the coolest concepts around right now.
Calling the next case into court, we have ‘The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, which combines a live crime thriller with the classic jewel heist format, whodunnit tropes and more.
Organised by Fever Events and scripted and staged with help from award-winning creative directors, Les Enfants Terribles, this latest edition of The Jury Experience is one of just many in a long line of intriguing courtroom dramas that YOU get to take part in.
We don’t want to give too much away and spoil the magic, but let’s just say you get to play a key role in seeing who goes down for the theft or a multi-million dollar family treasure.
Using your phone and/or paddles to cast your votes and sway decisions, there aren’t just key moments – the audience themselves are the final verdict.
Think you handle the responsibility, or better still, will you relish the sense of power?
As for ‘Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, here’s your teaser: “You’ve been called for jury duty. Scandal brews as a disgraced ex-driver stands trial for stealing global superstar Lana Tonneti’s $20m necklace.
“But is Lana telling the truth? Throughout the show, analyse witness testimonies, examine the evidence, answer complex questions, and try to uncover what really happened.
“Every word matters. Every detail counts. And at the end, you must cast the vote that determines the fate of the accused.”
Taking place at the stunning Stoller Hall and lasting just over an hour, this strictly 12+ event (kids under 19 must be accompanied by an adult)
While tickets to the first two productions this month have already sold out, tickets for the March and April nights are still available. You can find out more about dates, timings, and other cases, as well as grab your tickets right HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
17th May 2022 
