24:7 Theatre Festival Hosts Big Weekend

Running from today 24 - 26 July, 24:7's Big Weekend of new theatre-making will take place in and around the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama in the University of Manchester.

It will feature four main productions, a series of six monologues performed outdoors on the University campus, a family-friendly adventure in Manchester Museum and another of our exciting collaborations with Canberra's 'You Are Here' festival.

Together with rehearsed readings and workshops for writers and actors, the whole event will once again demonstrate that, for 11 years, 24:7 has always been about developing people.

Exec Producer David Slack says, "Our 24:7 Big Festival Weekend proves once again that the Manchester theatre scene is bursting with new and exciting talent. As this will be the last Festival in our recognised format, we are firing up all our engines to ensure it is the best yet!" He adds, "You know there are four main shows. We originally wanted three, but couldn't agree on which one to leave out."

Manchester's 24:7 does more than run a festival. It develops people. Annika Edge, 24:7's General Manager, says: "As part of the build-up to the Weekend we have taken time to involve and encourage more writers, directors, actors and producers than can take part. We are also giving valuable hands-on experience to our 2015 Foot In The Door trainees."

The Martin Harris Centre at Manchester University will be the Festival Hub for the whole Weekend. Centre Manager, Mark Woolstencroft, says,"We are delighted to host this year's 24:7 Festival. The festival is such a great opportunity to cultivate emerging creative talent, in the North West and beyond.

"As well as working closely with the core festival team, we look forward to working with the writers, directors, actors, producers and technicians throughout the festival."

Two of this years main writers are based in Manchester, one moved away recently... and one lives in Barcelona, meaning that Skype has been a crucial method of communication. Unable to resist the attraction, though, she flew into Manchester to attend the Media Launch.

To add variety to the Weekend, 24:7 commissioned a family friendly show in Manchester Museum for those aged 5+ and the young at heart, and for the 'You Are Here' collaboration they matched a British playwright with an Australian musician - and vice versa - to create a two-part, musically-inspired piece of theatre.

Rehearsed readings of two plays, a writers' workshop with the award-winning Deborah McAndrew (An August Bank Holiday Lark) and an actors' workshop with Joe Sims (Broadchurch) complete the line-up.

As ever, 24:7 pays credit to a range of funders, sponsors and other financial supporters that, this year, includes a host of Crowdfunding backers!

24:7 Big Festival Weekend will take place in the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama, University of Manchester, Bridgeford Street, Manchester M13 9PL, on Manchester University Campus and at Manchester Museum, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL.

Tickets are £8 (£6 concessions) and are available online from www.247theatrefestival.co.uk or on the door. Festival passes are also available.

For more information on 24:7 Big Festival Weekend 2015, visit www.247theatrefestival.co.uk, follow them on Twitter: @247theatre and Facebook: www.facebook.com/247theatre.

2015 Main Shows:

The Plant (written by James Kerr)

Our two protagonists, Leon and Keith become increasingly tangled in a darkly comic literary web of their own making.

We are the Multitude (written by Laura Harper)

A drama/comedy about isolation, social decline and being stuck talking to the most irritating person you know. Yes, that one.

Madness Sweet Madness (written by Georgina Tremayne)

It's 2am and Vesuvius would do anything for a few hours' sleep. Compelling drama about breaking eggs and broken hearts.

Gary: A Love Story (written by James Harker)

A tender, caustic play about brotherly love, brotherly hate, and a Criminal Justice System which kills the young for sport.

The Butterfly's Adventure (devised by Scallywags Collective)

The caterpillars have gone! But where to? Will you help us find our fuzzy friends?

Brief Encounters (6 Monologues)

A series of short open air monologues inspired by famous Manchester scientists. These will take place around the University Campus. Meet at the Martin Harris Centre foyer. Please dress weather appropriate.

Distant Sounds - A collaboration with 'You Are Here' Festival, Canberra (Australia)

This exciting project further cements the unique collaboration between two festivals on opposite sides of the world. Two writers, one from Australia and one from the UK, each writes a new short play, inspired by two new pieces of music, one from the UK and one from Australia.

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