AN ECLECTIC mix of new work from artists and companies across the North West will be showcased at the Oldham Coliseum Theatre Studio as the First Break Festival returns in May.
From Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 May, there will be seven events including new writing, rehearsed readings, touring theatre and devised work designed to challenge and explore the world around us.
The Festival kicks off with The Stars Are Made of Concrete from Messy Dress Productions on Wednesday 11 May at 7.30pm.
Nominated for Best Drama and Best New Writing at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, it follows unemployed Adam and his mum, Bev, recently been made redundant, showing the people behind the statistics and how they try to carry on with grace, humour… and ladyboys.
Tangled Web and People Staring come to the Coliseum Theatre Studio on Thursday 12 May at 8.30pm with Tuesdays at Tesco’s, a play by Emmanuel Darley about transsexual Pauline and the difficulties she faces with her father on their weekly shopping trip.
Then on Friday 13 May at 8.30pm Prefer Not To Say from Thought Plane Theatre presents an on-stage identity crisis as two candidates battle for the job of being Sarah and the audience are asked to fill in an application form to bring her to life.
On Saturday 14 May Pensive Federation present Significant Other. Pensive Federation asked ten writers, ten directors and ten actors to create ten x ten minute masterpieces in the space of ten days based on the theme of a significant other. The ten pieces will be presented at 4pm and 7.30pm.
The winners of the First Break Writing Competition: Untold Stories will showcase their work on Friday 13 May at 7pm. The competition, launched in October 2015, asked writers to script an original short play based on a story or experience that someone has shared with them.
The four winning scripts – Passing Through by Alexandra Taylor, The Residents by Maureen Sheerin, Peggy Verses the Big Al by David Howard and Going To Market by Claire Elshaw – will be presented as rehearsed readings.
This year’s First Break Festival has been programmed by Coliseum Associate Director, Chris Lawson, who joined the theatre from London’s Almeida in October 2015.
Chris commented: “The new writing and fringe theatre scene in Greater Manchester and the North West is so exciting and inspiring.
“With First Break and further work in the Studio I’m pleased to support the region’s talented and enterprising network of theatre-makers and I hope we can make a name for Oldham as a place for nurturing and showcasing upcoming talent.”
Chris will also host What’s Next?, a panel discussion on the new writing scene and the opportunities available, on Thursday 12 May at 7pm.
The panel will include award-winning theatre-writer Cathy Crabb, actor and co-founder of Take-Back, Julie Hesmondhalgh, freelance producer Hannah Ellis, and Artistic Director of Box Of Tricks Theatre, Adam Quayle.
The Festival will culminate with a closing party from 9pm – late on Saturday 14 May, offering the chance to mingle with writers, actors and directors working in the new writing scene.
The 2016 First Break Festival will launch a new programme of regular events in the Oldham Coliseum Theatre Studio headed by Associate Director, Chris Lawson. Details can be found online at coliseum.org.uk
The First Break Festival runs at Oldham Coliseum Theatre from Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 May 2016. Tickets for events are individually priced. A Festival Pass ticket to see all First Break Festival events is £24.
Tickets can be bought in person at Oldham Coliseum Theatre, by phone on 0161 624 2829 or online at www.coliseum.org.uk
First Break Festival event listing
Wednesday 11 May, 7.30pm: The Stars Are Made Of Concrete
Presented by Messy Dress Productions, Written by Michelle Ashton, Directed by Colin Connor
Tickets: £6
Thursday 12 May, 7pm: What’s Next?
Panel discussion hosted by Coliseum Associate Director Chris Lawson
Tickets: £3
Thursday 12 May, 8.30pm: Tuesdays at Tesco’s
Presented by Tangled Web and People Staring, Written by Emmanuel Darley, Translated by Matthew Hurt and Sarah Vermande
Tickets: £6
Friday 13 May, 7pm: First Break Writing Competition: Untold Stories
Featuring: Passing Through by Alexandra Taylor, The Residents by Maureen Sheerin, Peggy Verses the Big Al by David Howard and Going to Market by Claire Elshaw.
Tickets: £3
Friday 13 May, 8.30pm: Prefer Not To Say
Presented by Thought Plane Theatre
Tickets: £6
Saturday 14 May, 4pm and 7.30pm: Significant Other
Presented by Pensive Federation
Tickets: £6
Saturday 14 May, 9pm: Closing Party
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