Spring 2015 will see the Cornerhouse and Manchester’s Library Theatre Company merge to form HOME – a new purpose-built centre at No.1 First Street, for international contemporary art, theatre, film and books.

In the run up to the opening of the new £25m development, HOME have already run one critically acclaimed, site-specific production of Angel Meadow. The production sold out and HOME are now following up their success with another site-specific production of Shakespeare’s infamously tragic love story, Romeo & Juliet, which will be performed at Manchester’s historic Victoria Baths from 10th September to 4th October 2014.

Directed by Walter Meierjohann, HOME’s Artistic Director, this unique performance takes place at three locations within the baths – part-promenade and part-seated, this will allow the audience to get close-up to the action and feel part of the production.

The 13-strong professional cast will be lead Alex Felton, fresh from playing Lysander in the Bristol Old Vic’s world tour of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, who has been cast in the lead role of Romeo, alongside Sara Vickers who will be playing Juliet. Sara’s last appearance in Manchester was for the Royal Exchange Theatre’s production of Ibsen’s The Lady From The Sea, as well as having appeared more recently in ITV’s Endeavour as Joan Thursday.

Macedonian composer, Nikola Kodabashia has written a special, Balkan-style score to complement the production which will be performed live by actor-musicians. Each performance will also feature a group of drama undergraduates from Manchester Metropolitan University who will form the Chorus Ensemble.

Kenrick ‘H20’ Sandy of award-winning hip-hop dance company Boy Blue Entertainment and Mia Theil Have, of cutting-edge cross-art-form collective Riotous Company, will provide the choreography and movement respectively, which forms a key element of the production. Sandy also previously choreographed parts of the Opening Ceremony at the 2012 London Olympics under the direction of HOME patron, Danny Boyle.

An extensive community engagement programme will also run alongside the production, comprising a series of 19 digital, film and theatre-based drop-in workshops, which will be free to attend. All workshops will be delivered by three professional artists at three locations in Wythenshawe, resulting in an accompanying installation and exhibition at Victoria Baths during the run of Romeo & Juliet.

The production is sponsored by Manchester Airports Group and the engagement programme is sponsored by World Duty Free. United Utilities are also providing support for the production by assisting with the filling of the pool.

Romeo & Juliet
10th September-14th October 2014
Victoria Baths, Hathersage Road, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester M13 0FE
Tel: 0161 224 2020

Performance Times:
Wed 10/Thu 11 Sept, Mon 15-Wed 17 Sept 7.30pm;
Thu 18 Sept 1.30pm, 7.30pm;
Fri 19 Sept 7.30pm;
Sat 20 Sept 2.30pm, 7.30pm;
Mon 22 Sept 7.30pm;
Tue 23 Sept 1.30pm;
Wed 24 Sept 7.30pm;
Thu 25 Sept 1.30pm, 7.30pm;
Fri 26 Sept 7.30pm;
Sat 27 Sept 2.30pm, 7.30pm;
Mon 29 Sept 7.30pm;
Tue 30 Sept 1.30pm;
Wed 1 Oct 7.30pm;
Thu 2 Oct 1.30pm, 7.30pm;
Fri 3 Oct 7.30pm;
Sat 4 Oct 2.30pm, 7.30pm.

ACCESS PERFORMANCES: British Sign Language Thu 18 Sept 7.30pm,
Sat 27 Sept 2.30pm; Audio Described Wed 1 Oct 7.30pm.

TICKETS: £10 – £23.50; previews Wed 10, Thu 11, Mon 15, Tue 16 September all tickets £10. Concessions available – children’s tickets (under-16s) £10; Schools’ and Group Ticket Savers available.
More information from Cornerhouse box office 0161 200 1500.

EVENTS: Meet the Director Walter Meierjohann Tue 30 Sept,8pm, Number One First Street, Manchester. Free, booking required.


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