In August 2019 the Den was built for the first time in Stalybridge Civic Hall to host the first Local Exchange Festival.
Celebrating Imagination over two weeks, THE DEN @ STALYBRIDGE CIVIC HALL included 17 performances, 4 workshops, a stakeholder event and an artist mixer resulting in 910 attendances across the festival days.
The first performance in THE DEN was A TAMESIDE STORY. It brought together four individual projects, that included 48 residents of Tameside to create performances reflecting their communities. Our 13 Tameside Ambassadors hosted this very special opening event introducing speakers, performances and the first screening of a film that they created to celebrate Tameside.
A Poem for Tameside
“Fabulous idea, thank you for supporting our lovely town with this innovative range of activities.”
“One of the best theatre feelings ever!”
Performances included THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT: SCENES FROM THE LUDDITE REBELLION, new Young Company show UTOPIA, three CO:LAB shows chosen by the Ambassadors, Stalybridge Old Band, a children’s show and The Story Den. The event also showcased Global Grooves, a carnival arts organisation based in Tameside, a playlist was created by the residents of Cavendish Mill and this Festival included our inaugural front of house training programme with a wonderful, passionate a group from the Tameside Women’s Centre.
“It’s a great experience. So good to see some fantastic theatre locally. A real boost for Stalybridge and theatre!”
“It was a wonderful experience, not just the performance, but what I noticed and experienced was how as strangers, we as an audience engaged with each other before the show, during the interval and after. A unique experience”
The Festival - day by day...
Tuesday 13 August
7pm
A Tameside Story
Royal Exchange artists and the residents of Tameside have been collaborating to make original pieces of theatre that reflect their communities. Hosted by the Royal Exchange Tameside Ambassadors this celebratory evening includes work from an intergenerational physical theatre group, youth groups, Age UK Tameside and live music from Global Grooves
Thursday 15 August
7pm
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out: Scenes from the Luddite Rebellion
Created by James Yeatman and Lauren Mooney
Fresh from the Royal Exchange Theatre – the story of the Luddites brought bang up to date. In the early 1800s, Manchester is one of the most advanced cities in the world – but workers are being side-lined for profit. It’s time to come together, it’s time for rebellion – but with spies in the midst who can be trusted?
Friday 16 August
12-1:45pm
There Is A Light – Workshop
Explore the performance, provocations and processes of how There Is A Light was made. This hands-on workshop gives you the chance to become the performers and work together with Dramaturg, Lauren Mooney. Ages 14+
5:30pm
Tameside Artist Mixer
Come along and meet local artists from all disciplines for a good chat over a drink. This informal event is the chance to share ideas and exchange opportunities with other artists from across Tameside.
7pm
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out: Scenes from the Luddite Rebellion
Created by James Yeatman and Lauren Mooney
Fresh from the Royal Exchange Theatre – the story of the Luddites brought bang up to date. In the early 1800s, Manchester is one of the most advanced cities in the world – but workers are being side-lined for profit. It’s time to come together, it’s time for rebellion – but with spies in the midst who can be trusted?
Saturday 17 August
11am
The Story Den (Tupele Dorgu, Sally Dynevor, Julie Hesmondhalgh)
Storytelling sessions from some very special guests. Get comfortable and lose yourself in a adventure as Julie Hesmondhalgh and others share their favourite stories and captivating tales. Suitable for under 10s.
Drop in
Den Building
Want to have a go at building your own mini Den? Then join us for this hands-on, practical workshop where you can get creative and make the perfect hideaway (this is a drop in event – no need to book).
8pm
Stalybridge Old Band
Peterloo Anniversary Concert
Tuesday 20 August
6pm
MOTHERS
Created and performed by: Christopher Brown, Yandass Ndlovu, Helen Andrew and Jordan Skelly
A disruptive pop-up performance that mixes poetry with movement and dance. A combination of verbatim material and autobiographical stories. (M)Others is exploring our relationships with the word Mother and its meanings.
7pm
A Fast One
Written and Performed by Ali Wilson. Dramaturgy: Amy Lawrence. Supported by: Leentje Van de Cruys & Kate Daley
An old man sits crossed legged on a rock by the sea. As the sun goes down, he whispers to the world: when I shanghai you, you’ll wake up at sea, working for me. An 18-year-old finder herself in love with someone who wants to ruin her. A group of people gather in one place to be entertained. A dog barks.
Grieve. Breath. Smile. Repeat.
Created by SHAR X Conan The Librarian. Performed by Charlotte Barber and Ryan Gilmartin. Dramaturgy: James Monoghan.
When did you last miss me? My birthday? Christmas? This is about grieving for people who are still alive. Someone who is here in body but not in spirit. It’s called ambiguous grief, but where is its place, what is the experience? Stand and be enveloped in an audio-visual experience through the seven stages of grief, with you stood at the heart of it. This is something more than “I miss you”.
Thursday 22 August
7pm
Utopia
The award-winning Royal Exchange Theatre Young Company present their brand new show UTOPIA. Half a millennium after Thomas More wrote Utopia they re-imagine the classic for today – and ask what does Utopia mean for us now? And what does it mean in our future?
Friday 23 August
11-2pm
Mossley Writers Workshop
Creative writing workshop with the Mossley Writers as part of the 200 anniversary of Peterloo.
12:30-2:30pm
The Goose Who Flew
Presented by Half Moon. A Lots of Odds Theatre production for ages 3-7.
Goose loves the summer, playing with his family and friends, but soon it is time for him to fly south for the winter. As his journey begins, things are not as they should be.
7pm
Utopia
The award-winning Royal Exchange Theatre Young Company present their brand new show UTOPIA. Half a millennium after Thomas More wrote Utopia they re-imagine the classic for today – and ask what does Utopia mean for us now? And what does it mean in our future?
Saturday 24 August
11am
The Story Den (Haiesha Mistry, Justin Moorhouse, Alex Williams)
Storytelling sessions from some very special guests. Get comfortable and lose yourself in a adventure as Julie Hesmondhalgh and others share their favourite stories and captivating tales. Suitable for under 10s.
12-2pm
Children’s Company Workshop
Drama workshop for anyone aged 5-10.
3pm (captioned) / 7pm
Utopia
The award-winning Royal Exchange Theatre Young Company present their brand new show UTOPIA. Half a millennium after Thomas More wrote Utopia they re-imagine the classic for today – and ask what does Utopia mean for us now? And what does it mean in our future?
