North West

Jigsy

Tony Staveacre

Digital triptych from imitating the dog

All three episodes of digital theatremakers imitating the dog's Culture in Quarantine commission will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer by this Saturday 10 July.

Ghost of a chance in Blackpool

Blackpool Ghost Walks are back this month to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Lowry advanced dance training open for applications

The Lowry Centre for Advanced Training in Dance has opened applications for the next year of its annual scheme starting September 2020, open to young people from the North West aged 11–16.

'COVID-safe' drive-in venue opens in Manchester

Immersive theatre company Beyond Theatre claims to have created the world's first COVID-compliant drive-in theatre venue in Manchester.

Blackpool Grand launches recovery fund

Blackpool's Grand Theatre, the oldest theatre in the town, has launched a recovery fund to help it to survive after more than 100 days of closure.

Octagon announces creative writing competition winners

Bolton's Octagon Theatre has announced the winners of its One Night In Bolton writing competition, launched to encourage creativity in lockdown.

Cumbrian writers selected for script development

Theatre by the Lake and Paines Plough have announced the four Cumbrian writers who have been commissioned under their Come to Where I Am project.

Manchester Mayor Burnham responds to Royal Exchange redundancy announcement

The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said he is "saddened" by the announcement from the Royal Exchange Theatre that it may have to make up to 65% of its staff redundant.

Keswick theatre offers online play reading group, exhibition and networking

Keswick's Theatre by the Lake has announced a programme of free activities while it is closed: the TBTL play reading club, Cumbrian Creatives—a network for local artists—and a community exhibition.

Royal Exchange announces up to 65% redundancies

Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre has announced that it is to "enter a period of redundancy consultation", which may result in the loss of up to 65% of current staff.

Chester Storyhouse plans early opening

Storyhouse, an arts centre in Chester that incorporates a theatre, cinema, library and restaurant, has announced that it will reopen as soon as the government allows, possibly as early as 4 July.

Leading actors join calls to support Octagon appeal

Ian McKellen, Sue Johnston, Sharon D Clarke, Matthew Kelly and more have sent messages of support for the theatre, which has so far raised more than £40,000 for its crowdfunder appeal.

HOME announces plans for reopening

HOME Manchester has announced plans to reopen its cinemas, bars and restaurant on 4 September, with theatre and gallery programmes to restart later in autumn.

Lowry pledges support for all contracted staff

Lowry CEO Julia Fawcett has pledged support for the arts centre's contracted workforce until the building can reopen, vowing that “coronavirus WON’T defeat us—but Government must act!”

Hope Mill evening with Jonathan Harvey & £5k playwriting prize

Manchester's Hope Mill Theatre is to present an online evening celebrating the work of writer Jonathan Harvey and is launching a playwriting prize with a prize of £5,000, a production at the theatre and mentorship from Harvey.

More cancellations and redundancies in Keswick

Theatre by the Lake has cancelled its Christmas production of The Borrowers and is making staff redundancies to help it to survive the current closure.

Vertigo's Noir adapted into free audio drama

Manchester-based Vertigo Theatre Productions hopes to raise money for Acting for Others in the UK and The Actors Fund in the US by reviving its 2017 hit play Noir by Craig Hepworth adapted into a two-hour audio play.

Oldham Coliseum’s 'Mini-Podcast Series' continues to present new work

For each episode of its Mini-Podcast Series, Oldham Coliseum has invited writers to respond to a theme within a specified length, with pieces ranging from 100 words to a 20-minute short audio-play.

Liverpool Hope National Playwriting Prize postponed until 2021

Liverpool Hope University and Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre have postponed the Liverpool Hope Playwriting Prize, which gives writers a chance to win £10,000 for comedy scripts, by twelve months.

Hope Mill's gonna play Rent, rescheduled

Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester has announced rescheduled dates for its production of Rent, plus full creative team.

Les Dennis as Jigsy in Royal Court Liverpool online rerun

Les Dennis has recorded a performance of Tony Staveacre's one-man show Jigsy which will be made available for free on the Liverpool Royal Court YouTube channel.

HOME announces new Homemakers

Five new Homemakers, a series of online works presented by HOME Manchester alongside national partners, are now available.

Home-made monologue earns praise

A 13-minute monologue, filmed at home in Lancashire, has picked up enthusiastic reviews.

Your chance to look behind the Green Door

Ann Brown’s harrowing but inspirational play Green Door is to be available online.