Sale’s Waterside wants you to see things differently at its second annual arts festival, Refract:18, when music, comedy, theatre and family events take over the centre for 10 days. We promised to let you know about the special closing party on Saturday 28 July, and can now reveal that it will feature Mercury Prize shortlistees The Magic Numbers, whose latest album is just out, with support from singer-songwriter Ren Harvieu.
Cult music: Tankus the Henge’s ‘gonzo rock’n’roll’
Based in London, this is your chance to catch cult band Tankus the Henge and their wild showmanship and eclectic and unique self-described Gonzo rock’n’roll music, drawing as much from jazz, funk and rock as classic songwriters such as Tom Waits and storytellers such as the Beats.
Fri 20 Jul, 8pm, from £10, watersidearts.org
Physical theatre: Happy Hour by Tmesis
Commissioned by Liverpool’s Unity, physical theatre company Tmesis explores the ‘happiness industry’ and our 21st-century obsession with success in this poignant, fast-paced comedy. The workers on Level 3 are racing against the clock to reach their quota of Smiley Faces, but are they actually happy themselves?
Mon 23 Jul, 7.30pm, from £12, watersidearts.org
Theatre two-hander: Stuntman – exploring movie violence and masculinity
This brand-new two-hander delves into the murky topic of movie violence and masculinity, and our fascination with it. Two men wrestle with their reactions towards violence – literally, as they interweave high-octane stunt fights and plenty of fake blood with real-life stories.
Tue 24 Jul, 8pm, from £12, watersidearts.org
Musical (performance, film… & more): Showstopper! The Improvised Musical
Not just songs, but dance, theatre and even film – this show combines all kinds of performance and is completely different every time. The ingenious improvisers make up a fully realised musical on the spot based on audience suggestions – with, of course, hilarious consequences.
Thu 26 Jul, 7.30pm, from £15, watersidearts.org
Mini-music festival: Refract:18 Closing Party ft. The Magic Numbers & Ren Harvieu
They’ve toured the world with the likes of Brian Wilson, Neil Young, The Flaming Lips, Sonic Youth, The Who, Morrissey and U2, and now The Magic Numbers are bringing their melodic hooks to Sale to headline the Refract:18 Closing Party, with support from Salford singer-songwriter Ren Harvieu.
Sat 28 Jul, 8pm, £18, watersidearts.org
Thu 19–Sat 28 Jul, Waterside, 1 Waterside Plaza, Sale, Manchester, M33 7ZF, Tel: 0161 912 5616, times and prices vary, watersidearts.org
- Words:
- Sarah-Clare Conlon
- Published on:
- Mon 23 Jul 2018
