Word of Warning — Weekly Warning

This weekend, Greater Manchester remains pretty quiet.

In Leeds, Eli Yim’s The Easy Way Out is at Carriageworks on Fri 18 Sep; while Michelle Scally Clarke’s Division is at Slung Low’s Warehouse in Holbeck on Fri 18 + Sat 19 Sep.

Next week (w/c 21 Sep), for us it’s all about Emergency 26 at Contact on Sat 26 Sep (Noon-10pm): 26 pieces for the 26th Emergency on 26/9/26.  From digital ghosts to an immortal Elvis, falling bodies to miniature worlds, a train full of memories and the smallest of farewells.

Featuring Alex Billingham, Bait, Ben Hodge, chris brown, Chris Jenkins, Emergency Chorus, Emily Bold, Emma Geraghty, Id Est Performance Company, Isabella Victorie A., Joss Affleck, Kellie Colbert & Deborah Newton, Lee Fletcher, Lisa Ford, Lowri Evans, Mimosa Art House & Rosie Fielding, ON, Pablo Pakula, PHØBIA, Rachel Gomme, Reckless Sleepers & UoS Performance, Rowena Gander, Ruby Antonowicz-Behnan & Yui Yamamoto, Sap Dance & Desire Lines Dance Theatre, Sweætshops® and Terri Jade Donovan.

Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, Natalie Reckert’s Bunker Talk #168 is at Manchester Poetry Library on Tue 22 Sep; Wright&Grainger’s SELENE is at Lowry on Fri 25 + Sat 26 Sep; and Barrowland Ballet’s Chunky Jewellery is also there on Sat 26 Sep.

Further afield, Fallen Angels Dance Theatre’s Holding Light is at Storyhouse, Chester on Thu 24 Sep; AND FESTIVAL takes over Barnsley from Fri 25-Sun 27 Sep; and JV2’s Triple Bill is at Riley Theatre, Leeds on Sat 26 Sep.

The following week (w/c 28 Sep), back in Greater Manchester, Eli Yim’s The Easy Way Out comes to New Adelphi on Wed 30 Sep; Marie Hamilton’s Madonna on the Rocks is at Lowry on Wed 30 Sep + Thu 1 Oct; and BREATHE: Dance & Poetry Slam 2026 is at Aviva Studios on Sat 3 Oct.

In Liverpool, WilL Dickie + David Hoyle perform as part of Performing Recovery, a live book launch at the Everyman on Wed 30 Sep; Ugly Bucket’s STUFFED is at Unity on Fri 2 + Sat 3 Oct.

In Leeds, Bryony Kimmings’s Bog Witch is at Leeds Playhouse on Wed 30 Sep + Thu 1 Oct; Company Chameleon’s Obscura is at Riley Theatre on Sat 3 Oct. In Barnsley, LUNG’s Woodhill is at Barnsley Civic, also on Sat 3 Oct.

Meanwhile in Sheffield, Open Works Festival runs from 28 Sep-10 Oct, with its opening week including Lucy Haighton, Ke Li, Victoria Firth & Company, Oluwasegun Lafup Ogundipe and Forced Entertainment.

Keep checking our News + Information page for more pointers to opportunities and show videos online, and @WarnMcron Twitter (X if you must) for short-notice performances.

Notes for Artists - Social Experiment remains open for proposals for the 19 November edition, deadline 2 Nov, midday.

Best

Tamsin

@WarnMcr: Bsky | Fb | Insta | X | YT

Information for artists: habmcr.org
No. 584/ FY 16

 

Between Haphazard and Ageless, from tot to timeworn, this weekend seems remarkably unconvinced that curiosity comes with age limits…

This weekend, for us it's all about Haphazard at Z-arts on Sat 11 July (1-3pm):
From whispered constellations to dissolving homes, paper wishes to impossible time machines, and holiday camp clowning to becoming a dog – a haphazard exploration of how we move through the world together featuring Claire Leith & Lucy Fegan, Hyde N Seek, In Between Time, Lesya Tyminska, Liv Loupe, Lizzy Margereson, Matt Girling, Miranda Prag, Scrapheap Collective, Shynara Nygmetova & Zixuan Hong.

At Aviva Studios Ai Weiwei's Button Up! continues until 6 Sep. 

In Leeds, on Fri 10 and Sat 11 July, Ageless Festival 2026 has Flexer and Sandiland, Jerôme Bell, TC Howard + Co, Marie-Louise Flexen and Susan Kempster.
July also sees Greater Manchester Fringe 

The remainder of July is very much quieter:
Coming up at HOME is The Road To Edinburgh (22-25 July) and at Sale Waterside there's House of Life on Sat 25 Jul and Refract Festival (21-26 Jul) 
On GM Fringe a few things that caught my eye are The Chubby Northerner, Dylan Ward, Wallflower Theatre Co and Ryan Sinclair. 

Unity, Liverpool has a Scratch Night on Fri 17 Jul;  Bradford Festival is on Sat 18 + Sun 19 Jul. 
Elsewhere at the end of the month, Bryony Kimmings's Bog Witch is at Storyhouse, Chester on Thu 30 Jul. 

Thereafter the behemoth that is Edinburgh hits - UPDATE - having had more of a look, Shedinburgh and particularly the Forest Fringe takeover on 25-26 Aug, is what has jumped out at me, and may just get me up the motorway! Details, plus the Edinburgh producer recommendations below.

This mail is going to take a bit of a break for the summer lull... unless something exciting crops up!

Keep checking our News + Information page for more pointers to opportunities and show videos online, and @WarnMcr on Twitter (X if you must) for short-notice performances. 

Notes for Artists - Social Experiment remains open for proposals for the November edition.
The call for proposals for Emergency 26 is open - deadline 7 Aug! 

Best

Tamsin

@WarnMcr: Bsky | Fb | Insta | X | YT

From Button Up to Haphazard in the space of a week. Manchester rarely does just one mood…

This weekend, Didsbury Arts Festival continues with Ben Hodge's Can I Join You?; and a Contemporary Dance Mixed Bill** both on Sat 4 Jul. **Special offer code: EMERGE5 for £5 ticket. 

Waterside Arts has You Are Witnessing My Villain Era on Fri 3 Jul. 
Ai Weiwei's Button Up! conitnues until 6 Sep at Aviva Studios including the 24 hour Sewing A Button (Fri 3 - Sat 4 Jul ).

July also sees Greater Manchester Fringe including Natalie Patuzzo's Every Single Sound In The World at The Kings Arms on Sat 4 Jul.

Next week (w/c 6 Jul) for us it's all about Haphazard at Z-arts on Sat 11 July. 
From whispered constellations to dissolving homes, paper wishes to impossible time machines, and holiday camp clowning to becoming a dog – a haphazard exploration of how we move through the world together featuring Claire Leith & Lucy Fegan, Hyde N Seek, In Between Time, Lesya Tyminska, Liv Loupe, Lizzy Margereson, Matt Girling, Miranda Prag, Scrapheap Collective, Shynara Nygmetova & Zixuan Hong

There's also a Bunker Talk at the Salutation - with Deborah Pearson on Tue 7 July. 

In Leeds, on Fri 10 and Sat 11 July, Ageless Festival 2026 has Flexer and Sandiland, Jerôme Bell, TC Howard + Co, Marie-Louise Flexen and Susan Kempster.

The remainder of July is very much quieter:
Coming up at HOME is The Road To Edinburgh (22-25 July).
On GM Fringe a few things that caught my eye are The Chubby Northerner, Dylan Ward, Wallflower Theatre Co and Ryan Sinclair. 

Elsewhere at the end of the month, Bryony Kimmings's Bog Witch is at Storyhouse, Chester on Thu 30 Jul. 

Keep checking our News + Information page for more pointers to opportunities and show videos online, and @WarnMcr on Twitter (X if you must) for short-notice performances. 

Notes for Artists - Social Experiment remains open for proposals for the November edition. The call for proposals for Emergency 26 is now open! 

Best

Tamsin

@WarnMcr: Bsky | Fb | Insta | X | YT

With temperatures and expectations soaring, it's worth remembering he's not the Messiah…

This weekend, on Sat 27 Jun at SeeSaw, Divided Culture Co's 5:100 has Maddie Maycock's TORSO, Bitteroot's The Well and Wisteria Theatre's Small Hours.
Didsbury Arts Festival (27 Jun - 5 Jul) includes Quarantine; Choe Smith; Greta Zapettini on Sat 27 and Ontroerend Goed** on Sun 28 Jun. 
The Surge. An Ode to Sinéad O'Connor continues at Aviva Studios (until 27 Jun). 

Next week (w/c 29 June) Didsbury Arts Festival continues with Less than three collective's Doyo Uwan Tacu Poft Ea? and Andy Smith + Lynsey O'Sullivan's A Citizen's Assembly** both on Tue 30 Jun; Victoria Melody's Trouble, Struggle, Bubble and Squeak** on Thu 2 Jul plus Ben Hodge's Can I Join You?; and a Contemporary Dance Mixed Bill** both on Sat 4 Jul.
**Special offer code: EMERGE5 for £5 ticket. 

Waterside Arts has You Are Witnessing My Villain Era also on Thu 2 + Fri 3 Jul. 
The week also sees the opening of Ai Weiwei's Button Up! at Aviva Studios (1 Jul - 6 Sep) including the 24 hour Sewing A Button (Fri 3 - Sat 4 Jul ).

July also sees Greater Manchester Fringe including Natalie Patuzzo's Every Single Sound In The World at The Kings Arms on Sat 4 Jul. 

The following week (w/c 6 July) for us it's all about Haphazard at Z-arts on Sat 11 July.
There's also a Bunker Talk at the Salutation - with Deborah Pearson on Tue 7 July. 

In Leeds, on Fri 10 and Sat 11 July, Ageless Festival 2026 has Flexer and Sandiland, Jerôme Bell, TC Howard + Co, Marie-Louise Flexen and Susan Kempster.

Keep checking our News + Information page for more pointers to opportunities and show videos online, and @WarnMcr on Twitter (X if you must) for short-notice performances. 

Notes for Artists - Social Experiment remains open for proposals for the November edition. The call for proposals for Emergency 26 is now open! 

Best

Tamsin

@WarnMcr: Bsky | Fb | Insta | X | YT

Passengers departing Manchester for Westminster are advised to check they have all their ambitions with them. Meanwhile for those of us staying...

This weekend, Emergence 26's Triple Bill is also at New Adelphi on Fri 19 Jun. 

In Leeds, Roadhouse 23 is at Yorkshire Dance on Fri 19 Jun and Selene is at Slung Low's Warehouse on Sat 20 Jun. 

Next week (w/c 22 June) gets busy again. There's Wisteria Theatre's Small Hours at SeeSaw on Wed 24 + Sat 27 Jun; The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O'Connor at Aviva Studios (25-27 Jun) and Didsbury Arts Festival (27 Jun - 5 Jul) including Quarantine; Choe Smith; Greta Zapettini on Sat 27 and Ontroerend Goed on Sun 28 Jun. 

In Leeds, Sharon Watson + Khadijah Ibrahim's In The Front Room - is at the Riley Theatre and Fireflies at Dawn is at Leeds Playhouse on Wed 24 + Thu 25 Jun. 

The following week (w/c 29 June) Didsbury Arts Festival continues with Less than three collective's Doyo Uwan Tacu Poft Ea? and Andy Smith + Lynsey O'Sullivan's A Citizen's Assembly both on Tue 30 Jun; Victoria Melody's Trouble, Struggle, Bubble and Squeak on Thu 2 Jul plus Ben Hodge's Can I Join You?; and a Contemporary Dance Mixed Bill both on Sat 4 Jul.  Waterside Arts has You Are Witnessing My Villain Era also on Thu 2 + Fri 3 Jul. 

This week also sees the opening of Ai Weiwei's Button Up! at Aviva Studios (1 Jul - 6 Sep) including the 24 hour Sewing A Button (Fri 3 - Sat 4 Jul ).

July also sees Greater Manchester Fringe including Natalie Patuzzo's Every Single Sound In The World at The Kings Arms on Sat 4 Jul. 

Keep checking our News + Information page for more pointers to opportunities and show videos online, and @WarnMcr on Twitter (X if you must) for short-notice performances. 

Notes for Artists - Social Experiment remains open for proposals for the November edition.  The call for proposals for Emergency 26 is now open!

Best

Tamsin

@WarnMcr: Bsky | Fb | Insta | X | YT

As one Census reaches its conclusion and another count looms, attention turns to the arithmetic of consequences, as local numbers acquire national significance…

This weekend, Malandra Jacks' Census is at Wythenshawe Library on Sat 13 Jun. 
In Liverpool Nicola Hardman's Final Curtain Call is at Unity on Sat 13 Jun. 

Next week (w/c 15 June) could be your last chance to catch Malandra Jacks' Census in a homecoming gig at NWTAC in Moston on Thu 18 Jun. Emergence 26's Triple Bill is also at New Adelphi on Thu 18 + Fri 19 Jun. 

In Leeds, Roadhouse 23 is at Yorkshire Dance on Fri 19 Jun and Selene is at Slung Low's Warehouse on Sat 20 Jun. 

The following week (w/c 22 June) gets busy again. There's Wisteria Theatre's Small Hours at SeeSaw on Wed 24 + Sat 27 Jun; The Surge: An Ode to Sinéad O'Connor at Aviva Studios (25-27 Jun) and Didsbury Arts Festival (27 Jun - 5 Jul) including Quarantine; Choe Smith; Greta Zapettini on Sat 27 and Ontroerend Goed on Sun 28 Jun. 

In Leeds, Sharon Watson + Khadijah Ibrahim's In The Front Room - is at the Riley Theatre and Fireflies at Dawn is at Leeds Playhouse on Wed 24 + Thu 25 Jun. 

Keep checking our News + Information page for more pointers to opportunities and show videos online, and @WarnMcr on Twitter (X if you must) for short-notice performances. 

Notes for Artists - Social Experiment remains open for proposals for the November edition; look out for Emergency proposal call coming soon. 

Best

Tamsin

@WarnMcr: Bsky | Fb | Insta | X | YT

As the race to generate content continues, whether we're actually content still hangs in the air…

This weekend, seems very quiet - but you could check out We Invented The Weekend on Sat 6 + Sun 7 June at Lowry; or in Leeds, Pickled Republic at Slung Low's Warehouse on Sat 6 Jun.

Next week (w/c 8 June) on Thu 11 Jun we are back in action again at Contact with Social Experiment with Ash Cox, Blood Bones Jones + Lauren Temple from 6pm plus, at roughly 8pm, Nathan Birkinshaw's How To Be Content - an exploration of contentment, led by a man brimming with mediocrity.

Since I seem to be attempting to be in two places at once, Malandra Jacks' Census is also back out in Greater Manchester Libraries - Urmston on Thu 11 Jun and Wythenshawe on Sat 13 Jun. 

In Liverpool Nicola Hardman's Final Curtain Call is at Unity on Sat 13 Jun. 

The following week (w/c 15 June) could be your last chance to catch Malandra Jacks' Census in a homecoming gig at NWTAC in Moston on Thu 18 Jun. Emergence 26's Triple Bill is also at New Adelphi on Thu 18 + Fri 19 Jun. 

In Leeds, Roadhouse 23 is at Yorkshire Dance on Fri 19 Jun and Selene is at Slung Low's Warehouse on Sat 20 Jun. 

Keep checking our News + Information page for more pointers to opportunities and show videos online, and @WarnMcr on Twitter (X if you must) for short-notice performances. 

Notes for Artists - Social Experiment remains open for proposals for the November edition; look out for Emergency proposal call coming soon. 

Best

Tamsin

@WarnMcr: Bsky | Fb | Insta | X | YT

As the global mess sinks deeper into its own oily residue, our week has likewise turned dark and viscous…

This weekend, tonight, Fri 29 May you can still join us for n:u (melissandre varin)'s Evil Eyes at Contact.  For a full evening, you can also team it with SICK!'s screening of Hannah Ballou's (I) Miss America and In Bed With My Brother's Philosophy of the World  (both continuing at Contact until Sat 30 May). 

HOME has Shechter II's In The Brain and YES YES NO NO's Nation; while Lowry has Le Gateau Chocolat's Spirituals  - all until Sat 30 May. 

Beyond Mancunia, Leeds Playhouse has Perfect Show for Rachel (28 May - 6 June). 

Next week (w/c 1 June) things seem pretty quiet but ther's Cie. Modo Grosso's Tout/Rien on Mon 1 + Tue 2 June (use this link and code CIRCUS08 for an £8 ticket); plus We Invented The Weekend on Sat 6 + Sun 7 June - all at Lowry. 

In Lancaster, The Duke's has Blast Fest on Thu 4 Jun; while Pickled Republic is at Slung Low's Warehouse on Sat 6 Jun.

The following week (w/c 8 June) we are back in action again with Social Experiment with special guest Nathan Birkinshaw on Thu 11 Jun at Contact. Malandra Jacks' Census is also back out in Greater Manchester Libraries - Urmston on Thu 11 Jun and Wythenshawe on Sat 13 Jun. 

In Liverpool Nicola Hardman's Final Curtain Call is at Unity on Sat 13 Jun. 

Keep checking our News + Information page for more pointers to opportunities and show videos online, and @WarnMcr on Twitter (X if you must) for short-notice performances. 

Notes for Artists - Social Experiment remains open for proposals for the November edition; look out for Emergency proposal call coming soon. 

Best

Tamsin

@WarnMcr: Bsky | Fb | Insta | X | YT