Hoping to push on from the recognition and reputation gained by Manchester with the Manchester International Festival, FLARE15 has just announced the first four pieces for its July week-long festival of new theatre. Expanding from its previous incarnations as two weekenders in 2012 and 2014, the broader size and scope of FLARE aims to highlight the best of new theatre and the studios they ‘believe will inspire the next generation to push the art form forward’. A bold claim – but one that seems to have some justification in the four plays, which cover subjects as diverse as Jimi Hendrix (Los Microphonos), intimacy (Body On) and language (Where the world is going, that’s where we are going), as well as the intriguingly titled ‘Scenes for a conversation after viewing a Michael Haneke film’ (pictured). Aiming at a contemporary audience that is involved and interested by the theatre, the festival hopes to cement Manchester’s reputation as a theatre and cultural centre, know for the International Festival but also for its support of new and exciting companies and studios. Early bird tickets are on sale now.

Mon 13 – Sat 18 Jul, Various venues including Contact, Royal Exchange, Z-arts, Martin Harris Centre Times, Times and prices to be announced, www.flarefestival.com

Mon 13 Jul - Sat 18 Jul
Words:
Joe Daly
Published on:
Sun 12 Jul 2015