Neo-cabaret, sci-fi Chekov and a celebration of workers at Manchester's culture hot spot
HOME has today announced its theatre programme for 2022/23 featuring a range of coproductions, UK premieres, visiting companies and returning artists.
The vibrant new season celebrates the world we live in today, exploring themes of identity, family, belonging, migration and home.
The season strongly reflects the values of HOME, celebrating culture and exploring the world we live in
The season will open with 12 Last Songs from HOME associate artists Quarantine. The piece is a snapshot of Manchester life in all its glory, as workers will perform paid shifts to create a living, breathing portrait of our working rhythms. A bricklayer might build a wall, a hairdresser might cut someone’s hair or a chef might prepare a meal while others will answer questions or give talks on their work. The piece premiered in Leeds but will in essence be born again as a new set of Manchester-based participants share a day in the life. The performance takes place over 12 hours and audiences can come and go as they please over the course of the day.
Dave Moutrey, director and CEO of HOME, said: “I’m excited to be announcing this ambitious and collaborative season of theatre for 2022/23. Continuing our work with incredible partners and talented artists across the North West and beyond, it’s a real pleasure to offer such a diverse programme. The season strongly reflects the values of HOME, celebrating culture and exploring the world we live in. We look forward to sharing this work with our audiences.”
What's happening in Theatre 1?
Physical theatre company Gecko opens the new season in Theatre 1 with the premiere of Kin. Artistic Director Amit Lahav, together with Gecko’s extraordinary ensemble of international performers, imagines the story of his own grandmother’s voyage to escape persecution and build a better life in this lush and poetic production.
Having toured the world, hip-hop-inspired dance company Boy Blue bring Blak Whyte Gray back to Manchester in October. This contemporary dance piece asks us to break free from a system that isn’t working, to emerge on the other side to an awakening, a return to roots and a celebration of culture.
The big-name production of the season takes Chekov's final play The Cherry Orchard and sets it on a - starship? A sci-fi reimagining of this classic of 20th-century theatre explores themes of class, family, belonging and home.
Manchester-based Scottee returns to HOME on the 23 November for a one-night performance of Class, a heart-rending and darkly humoured exploration of childhood poverty. This is an updated version of the original show, which premiered in 2019.
Neo-cabaret superstars Bourgeois & Maurice are kicking off Christmas in style with Pleasure Seekers. Liv Morris and George Heyworth party their way to ultimate happiness with their savage wit and unique brand of pop satire.
What about Theatre 2?
Described as, "A peep into the shiny and sweaty push-pull of living with shame while bursting with pride," The Dan Daw Show is about care, intimacy and resilience. It is also about how kink and domination can be freeing experiences (check this content explainer if you are not sure).
Families are always in the loop at HOME. Little Angel Theatre's There’s A Rang-Tan in My Bedroom and Other Stories is a magical mix of puppetry and music and features voiceovers from Emma Thompson, Doc Brown & Rag ‘n’ Bone Man. With that staple of entertaining kids - animals doing silly things - it would make a wonderful Christmas outing for children (and grown-ups too).
More funny animal fun with Marty and the Party from Manchester-based Milk Presents. This cheeky show is aimed at pre-schoolers.
Box of Tricks return to HOME with the premiere of Too Much World at Once, a fantastical coming-of-age-story that will appeal to young adults Manchester-based Box of Tricks is a theatre company that specialise in sharing Northern voices, in this case the work of Billie Collins, who is also currently an Associate Artist at Oldham Coliseum Theatre.
Performance poet, actor and writer Yursa Warsama closes the season with Of All The Beautiful Things in The World. Inspired by Federico Lorca’s play The House of Bernada Alba, this powerful new production, written by Warsama and produced by HOME, exports Lorca’s language to a Manchester Moss Side home.
HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Place, Manchester M15 4FN
More details
Priority ticket booking will be available for HOME Friends from Friday 24 June, and HOME Members from Monday 27 June, with tickets on sale to the general public from Tuesday 28 June. There will also be an exclusive Early Bird 15% discount for all full-price tickets purchased before Sunday 31 July. Visit the HOME website to view all shows in the season, or click on each individual show below for more information and to book.
12 Last Songs 24 September Ground Floor Gallery
Kin 27 September - 1 October in Theatre 1
Blak Whyte Gray 20-22 October in Theatre 1
The Cherry Orchard 2-19 November in Theatre 1
Class 23 November in Theatre 1
The Dan Daw Show 1-3 December in Theatre 2
Pleasure Seekers 16-17 December in Theatre 1
There’s a Rang-Tan in My Bedroom and Other Stories 9-23 December in Theatre 2
Marty and the Party 23-25 February in Theatre 2
Too Much World at Once 3-11 March in Theatre 2
Of All the Beautiful Things in the World 24 March – 15 April in Theatre 2
Read next: Greater Manchester Fringe: VR musicals, crisp reviews, Shakespeare
Read again: A modest show - food and art festival comes to Manchester
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