HOME has announced it will be recommencing live theatre performances in Manchester from October and an exciting schedule of productions is already lining up.
Live theatre is coming HOME in just a few weeks time.
The last live theatre piece was presented at HOME in March just before the country was placed into lockdown amid the coronavirus COVID-19, and it was recently announced that it the First Street venue would be reopening doors on 4th September, with its five cinemas, bar and restaurant the first to come back.
Announcing in a statement via its website, HOME said it is “delighted” to be returning with a full programme of productions in October.
These are set to including World Premieres from RashDash, David Hoyle and Robin Richards, and Clara Casian, along with the return of critically-acclaimed artists Javaad Alipoor, Sh!t Theatre and Le Gateau Chocolat, among many others.
Due to necessary social distancing measures, it’s been confirmed that HOME’s 500-seat Theatre 1 has been reduced to a capacity of just 120 to allow space, but despite this, tickets will be priced at just £10 to ensure that as many people as possible have the opportunity to return to the theatre.
HOME / Visit Manchester
Dave Moutrey – HOME’s Director and CEO – believes it is more important than ever for theatre to be both accessible and risk-taking. He said: “Following the incredible response to our opening weekend announcement, I’m pleased to be able to unveil a theatre season starting in October that includes brand new work, boundary-pushing ideas and some of our favourite artists.
“Much has changed since we closed in March, but we must do all we can to bridge the potential growth in social inequality as a result to this pandemic.
This is why, despite limited capacity due to social distancing, we will make every ticket available for no more than £10 [and] in addition, we will give equal weight to delivering work online, to ensure that audiences who cannot return just yet can still engage with new, relevant work.”
He continued: “The international social and political fabric has been ripped apart in the period since we closed, and it is more important than ever that we provide a platform for great art to reflect this.
“We are proud to be presenting every one of these works, old and new.”
HOME Manchester / Paul Karalius
During the period of closure during lockdown though, HOME did continue to work online by presenting new artist commissions in theatre and visual art, hosting film streams and director Q&As, and supporting artists through digital workshops.
The good news is, for those who do not feel ready to return to a live theatre environment just yet, this digital service is set to continue and the line-up is no less impressive.
The people of Manchester can also expect screenings of new releases, 4k restorations, titles the HOME film team loved, but which missed their opportunity to be seen on the big screen due to lockdown, a series of digital book launch events, and an announcement on the Autumn exhibition in HOME’s gallery – which is set to follow in the next few weeks.
HOME’s annual PUSH Festival will also return in January 2021 and will be extended to run for a month from late January and into February (Monday 18th January – Saturday 6th February).
You can find more information about the commencing of live theatre via the HOME website here.
Full information on social distancing and the COVID-safe measures which will be in place at HOME upon reopening next month can also be found here.
What's On
A giant robotic snail is sliming its way into Manchester city centre this weekend
Emily Sergeant
If you find yourself in Manchester city centre this weekend, then keep your eyes peeled for a big robotic snail.
It’s not a sentence you hear every day, but this weekend and this weekend alone, a ‘breathtaking’ giant robotic snail will be sliming its way into the heart of Manchester city centre as part of Manchester Museum‘s plan to bring free family fun to the masses this summer.
Luma, a nine-metre-long inflatable, robotic snail – who has been brought to life by creative robotics studio, Air Giants, who are also responsible for the giant cat currently sleeping in the Museum’s Exhibition Hall – will be leaving the four walls of the Oxford Road-based Museum and heading down to St Ann’s Square.
St Ann’s Square’s newest visitor is part of the Museum’s free family programme centred around their The Cat That Slept for a Thousand Years exhibition.
Luma’s visit will give Mancs the unique chance to have fun with this otherworldly being.
Like the sleepy cat, Luma the snail uses air flow to move around, and draws inspiration from the extraordinary range of flexing and contorting motion that’s found in bio-mechanics to create ‘beautiful’ movement.
Part artwork, part a feat of engineering, Luma has a gentle, welcoming and otherworldly presence, and invites members of the public to get up close, responding to their movement and touch in the process.
A giant robotic snail is sliming its way into Manchester city centre this weekend / Credit: Supplied
“Luma is a joyful and hopeful work which champions both nature and technology, and reimagines what robots can be for,” Manchester Museum said in a statement.
Luma the snail will perform in St Ann’s Square this weekend on both Saturday 2 and Sunday 3 August from 10am-4pm.
It’s a free experience that’s open to everyone of all ages.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Cult favourite clothing brand Clints has dropped the lineup for the first-ever music festival
Danny Jones
Popular Manchester street and footwear brand, Clints Inc., has now revealed the lineup for its first-ever music and culture festival to mark five whole years in fashion – and it’s looking big.
The highly sought-after clothing and sneaker make started out from a bedroom in Moston and is now a premium label in British urban, skating, UK grime and hip-hop culture, having been worn by many famous names and welcoming even more through the door of their Deansgate shop.
Located in the ABC Buildings on Quay Street next to Spinningfields, the flagship Clints store opened back in 2022 and is much more than a place to buy some new drip: it’s a place that showcases art, music, and a whole sub-sect of shopping beyond just skate silhouettes and trendy trainers.
As hack as it might sound to some, wearing this brand comes along with immersing yourself in the wider style and scene; the very same scene being celebrated in tandem with their fifth birthday.
Up until recently, details were still scarce, but now the debut Clints Fest lineup has dropped, and there are some big names on board.
Set to take place at Barton Aerodrome, a.k.a. City Airport, over in Eccles, the live performers confirmed for 2025 span multiple genres, spotlighting both music veterans and up-and-coming artists from all over.
Legendary DJ, producer and MC Mike Skinner – most famously for his music with The Streets – tops the bill, alongside Tottenham-born rapper and grime artist, Chip (formerly known as ‘Chipmunk’).
There’s plenty of local love on show too, with Manc R’n’B, jazz and soul singer, Victoria Jane, also set to perform, among many other acts from around the region and beyond.
Other names include the equally soulful hip-hop and rap star, Kofi Stone, New Zealand actor and solo artist, Sammy V, as well as plenty more.
On the launch of the event, Founder Junior Clint said: “We’ve built Clints on the back of our supporters embracing the DIY spirit. This festival is the ultimate expression of that ethos. Housing both music legends with upcoming artists is our ambition with Clint Fest, and we can’t wait to deliver it.”
Clints Fest (the inaugural one, at that) will take place on Saturday, 6 September, over in the Salford suburb of Barton-upon-Irwell, kicking off from 12pm and wrapping up around 10:30pm.
You can expect the festival to be packed to the rafters with die-hard followers of all things Clints and streetwear; here’s hoping this is just the first of many.
While the pre-sale and the first phase window for early access have both fully sold out, the second phase has now gone live, with general admission tickets available from £45.
Emily Sergeant -
27th August 2020 
