THIS huge programme of events taking place from July 1 visits Salford’s Black Lion and Kings Arms pubs as well as Manchester’s Lass O’Gowrie, Fab Cafe, Sand Bar and Tiger Lounge amongst others.
The first day of the festival will see Blake’s Seven star Paul Darrow appear in new Dr Who adaptations Robots of Death and Storm Mine based on stories from 1977. This is a double bill world premiere and will be performed live on stage at Fab Cafe, 8pm.
PorridgeThe Lass O’Gowrie also delves into the BBC’s 1977 archives to showcase a brand new stage adaptation of hit comedy series Porridge. With permission from original writer Dick Clement two episodes, Poetic Justice and Rough Justice, will be brought to life on 1-3 and 22 July.
Even Lord Alan Sugar has been hired into making an appearance on stage... sort of.
A play called Together In Electric Dreams has been written by Daniel Thackery from Oldham and was specially commissioned for this festival. The play takes us back to a time when the bottom fell out of the British electronics industry and will revolve around a tense dinner-date between Sugar and Sir Clive Sinclair.
Set in a Japanese restaurant in 1986, both outspoken moguls try to gain the upper-hand over their arch rival in an apparently amusing and poignant portrayal of a significant but little known historical encounter. The play runs at the Lass O’Gowrie on 4,5, 8 and 26 July with two showings daily.
Other highlights in the vast and diverse number of events include Manchester City Ballet and Jazzgalore dance companies showcasing A Dance Review at The Dancehouse (July 5-7). Legendary London comedy club Jongleurs featuring a selection of the UK’s best up-and-coming stand ups also appears at The Dancehouse (July 27).
Bury’s Outstanding Brewing company are also getting involved the festivities by brewing ‘Manchester Fringe Ale’, a bespoke festival beer available in bottle, draft and keg during July.
Detailed programme information and ticket info can be found here.
Participating venues are:
Black Lion, 65 Chapel Street, Salford M3 5BZ.
The Dancehouse, 10 Oxford Road, Manchester M1 5QA
Fab Cafe, 111 Portland Street, Manchester M1 4RJ
King's Arms, 11 Bloom Street, Salford M3 6AN
The Lass O'Gowrie, 36 Charles Street, Manchester M1 7DB
O'Shea's, 80 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6NF.
SandBar, 120 Grosvenor Street, Manchester M1 7HL.
Satan's Hollow, 101 Princess Street, Manchester M1 6DD
Taurus Bar, 1 Canal Street, Manchester M1 3HE.
Tiger Lounge, 5 Cooper Street, Manchester M2 2FW.
