Saturday 20th & 27th April and Saturday 4th May 8pm 

Join us for a gripping journey into the darkly humorous world of Martin McDonagh's 'Hangmen.' Presented by Painting Elephants CIC.

Based on true events, this acclaimed production delves into the life of a retired executioner whose past comes back to haunt him. 

Set in 1960s Oldham, this tale of secrets, suspense, and unexpected twists will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. 

From the writer of 

In Bruges, The Banshees of Inisherin and Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri, don't miss this unforgettable theatrical experience at The Salford Arts Theatre this spring! 

Theatre

Sunday 21st & Monday 22nd  April 

7.30pm 

"Introducing The Short List. An award winning team of creators present a short run of short plays featuring new writing and local actors and directors. 

This collection includes drama, comedy and farce and even a step towards the fantastical. 

These imaginative scripts have all been written by up and coming writers and will be brought to life by North West based actors of all backgrounds and experience who have joined together to create their own work.

The five short plays featured are:

Itsy Bitsy – By Lucy Davidson – Dir. Lara Rose Hancox

Rapture (an extract from Fasymmetric Theory) – By Kat Evans – Dir. Natalie Kennedy

The Change – By Courtenay Schembri Gray – Dir. Amanda J. Fleming

One Sided – By Harry Draper – Dir. Brandon McCaffrey

Protect and Survive – By Bex Harvey – Dir. Kat Evans

Theatre – Drama + Comedy

Suitable for 15+ Contains themes of domestic/relationship abuse, physical assault and strong language.

Friday 10th May & Saturday 11th May 7.30pm 

An evening of short plays

What is left when the world is dominated by wealthy tech moguls? 

How would you react to a live Turing test? 

Would you take a pill which could change your race?

These are some of the questions posed in Algorithm, a new anthology debuting seven new innovative plays which seek to expose, shock, and question. 

But in the realm of science-fiction, is the real world ever far away?

This is a Quantum Egg production.

Theatre - New Writing 

Friday 17th May 7.30pm 

Antimatter Productions presents: 'The End.' - an anthology of scratch work inspired by endings. 

The pieces range from monologues to groups, comedies to tear-jerkers - a fantastic array of work from under-represented artists. 

Featuring 'The Thing With Feathers' by Giulia Fincato

An extract from 'One in the Bunker 

Two in the Head' by Joel Wall

An extract from 'Maybe We're Both Abandoned' by Claire Cole

'Induction' by Anna from Cwmni Ennyn | Awaken Productions

'Just Kiss Her' by Ellie Harrington. 

Theatre  - A Scratch Night 

Thursday 20th June 8pm 

‘Hawkins Backyard’ is Buzz Hawkins’ latest unique show of belly laughs and “Aw!” stories, of eye-dabbing and face-stretching-how-dare-he comic ditties, and of riveting story-telling songs that will surely surprise you. 

This and more from the inimitable storyteller fella, Buzz Hawkins - writer, producer, and (all the) voices of the famous award-winning Radio and TV family, ‘The Bradshaws’. 

On stage with him (when they’re not playing Ludo in the dressing room) are his own top band of barmy musicians, the Hawkins Backyard Band. y

Unbutton your cardigans and loosen your trouser belts for an unforgettable night!

Cabaret

Thursday 4th July & Friday 5th July 7.30pm 

Tides... the intense waves of life constantly moving, in and out, up, and down, sometimes gentle, and other times big and overwhelming. We've all experienced immense highs and lows, right? Well try dealing with them when you're on the Autism Spectrum.

Dylan Ward is autistic. He doesn't connect with people quite like how others can. He can't follow conventional norms in the way that is expected from him, he doesn’t communicate in the same way, he has his own way of thinking, and his own way of doing things. Sadly, the rest of the world seems to not understand this. So how do you navigate a world which operates on a completely different wavelength to the one that you’re on?

A one person show based on the writer and performers real experiences of having and dealing with being on the autism spectrum, mixing movement, text, voice-overs, and combining heightened, Monty Pythonesque humour with a touch of real-world drama. Tides presents a story about identity and trying to figure out who you really are and who you’re really meant to be.

This is an insight into the world of at least one autistic individual… and the turbulence that they constantly face.

Theatre - Part of GM Fringe 

Saturday 6th July 7pm & 9pm 

Award-winning comedian Nathan Cassidy presents a unique double bill of new shows at the Greater Manchester Fringe.

Multi award-winning comedian, Best Show Nominee at the Greater Manchester Fringe and star of three Amazon Prime Specials with a double bill of new shows. Come see one or both with an interval on this one-off special night of stand-up comedy from a very special comic.

In the first half 7-8pm it's International Man of Mestory - how can we have fun is a chaotic world and freeze this moment in time.

In the second half 9-10pm it's The Spine That Shagged Me - Nathan looks back on the the worst day of his life on drugs! First he did his back in, now he's tripping on Diazepam watching Life of Pi.

Nathan won Best Stand-up at the Brighton Fringe 2022/23, he's a Leicester Comedy Festival Best Show Nominee with multiple appearances on BBC Radio 5 Live and Times Radio.

‘The best show at this year's Fringe. A classic, rollercoaster Fringe hour. Star in waiting...He is untouchable’ ★★★★ The Times

'Well-crafted, very original and very funny... Clever, articulate... sometime scathing and cynical, but always touching and hopeful.' FringeReview.co.uk

Comedy   - Part of GM Fringe 

Monday 8th July  - Wednesday 10th July 7.30pm  

"Can I tell you a secret?

I don't know that I believe in The Deep."

'Maybe We're Both Abandoned' is a play set in an isolated, religious, authoritarian state. 

Following the story of two primary school children in wartime.

This new drama by Antimatter Productions explores the way abuse of power impacts society's most vulnerable. 

Seeped in the paranoia of spies and secrecy, 'Maybe We're Both Abandoned' is a Lovecraftian look into identity, connection, and the power of propaganda.

Theatre - Part of GM Fringe

Thursday 11th July & Friday 12th July 

7.30pm 

This is NOT a show about mental health. In fact, this is NOT a show. THIS is a disorder.

We’re just joking. We’re HALF joking. We’re BORDERLINE joking.

Have we rehearsed it? Possibly.

Have we written it? It depends.

Is there a script? Unclear.

But it is a comedy, right? A comedy about severe mental illness?! Who would do such a thing?!

You. You psychopath. Fair enough.

So it’s a PLAY? No it’s not a f*cking play. F*ck off.

That's Not My Name is 75 minutes of complete carnage in the form of stand-up, sketch and musical comedy speaking to the insanity of Psychiatry, labels and our mental health system.

Theatre - Part of GM Fringe

Saturday 13th July 8pm 

Join award-winning punslinger Darren Walsh as he road-tests some new jokes, with some old jokes thrown in for good measure. 

Please don't come if you don't like puns, like: “My Scottish girlfriend got drunk on Martini Extra Dry.I couldn’t believe the stuff that came out of vermouth" and "Tom Holland is short for Thomas Netherlands" or "My boss only hires people who like Blur. 

He’s Oasist " That kind of thing.

'Punbelievable!' ***** Mirror, WINNER

Joke of Edinburgh Fringe, WINNER 

Joke of Leicester Comedy Festival, "Unstoppable tsunami of stupid puns." - Chortle.

Comedy  - Part Of GM Fringe

Wednesday 17th & Thursday 18th July

Step into the world of Spectre Quest, where the cast and crew are about to embark on a thrilling journey through the eerie history and supernatural occurrences at the illustrious Salford Arts Theatre. As the sun sets and darkness descends, this brave team will delve into the enigmatic world of the unseen and unexplained. Guided by the fearless and quirky Vincenza Van der Ven, our host with the most, the team sets out to uncover answers to questions that have been left unanswered, or perhaps, never thought to be asked. 

What secrets lurk in the shadows? Which tales from the past still echo in the present? And what happens when the ghost light goes out?

From the creative minds of Laura Genders and director Tuirenn Hurstfield, this journey into the supernatural is not just a chilling tale for the curious, but also a rollicking parody that will tickle your funny bone. Presented by Northern Rep Theatre, returnees to the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, this unique performance blurs the line between the humorous and the horrific, the real and the ethereal. As we wander the hauntingly beautiful corridors of the Salford Arts Theatre, we invite you to join us. Expect the unexpected: laughter echoing through the halls, chilling whispers in the darkness, and things that go bump in the night. 

The theatre is alive with more than just drama, and the Spectre Quest team is ready to uncover it all. So, are you?

Theatre  - Part of GM Fringe