A HOST of theatrical and musical troupes will tread the boards of a popular Dobcross pub for the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in July.
The Swan Inn is the only venue outside of the cities of Manchester and Salford that will host events for the festival, which is in its third year and runs for a month.
The pub’s programme of eight shows is an eclectic mix with something for everyone, including five newly written plays, children’s theatre, comedy, jazz, musical theatre and opera.
And to celebrate the Tour de France, one of the plays is ‘Life Cycle’ by Adam Sunderland, a one-person show about a cyclist looking back at his life and using verbatim interviews with champion cyclists.
Landlords Michael Powis and Tim Newbold regularly host professional productions and top musicians but revealed they are very excited about hosting festival events for the first time.
Tim said: “Children’s theatre is something we haven’t done before and our aim is to involve families in the community and hopefully get them interested in theatre.”
Michael added: “Theatre is something we are passionate about and we want to support theatre groups professional and new and bring great shows to the area.
“You might think you can’t do that here in a small pub in a small village but with some thought and hard work you can. And on top of all this, the pub is open as normal!”
The Swan’s upstairs function room can be transformed into a small theatre to host performances and is now recognised nationally as a top venue.
Refurbished with lighting, a raised stage area and a built-in sound system, it has a capacity of 60 to create an intimate space.
It has proved so popular with guests that shows regularly sell out – including the upcoming cabaret ‘Julie Madly Deeply’ which is visiting for two nights after a run in the West End.
Tim added: “We used to go to the theatre a lot but now we can’t – so we bring it here instead to share with our customers too.”
For more information on the events at the Swan Inn for the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, as well as a programme of the pub’s events for the year, please visit their website: www.theswandobcross.com
You can also find out more at: www.greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk
Tickets are available from the pub or online.
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