TREE_Manchester International Festival, Young Vic and Green Door Productions
announced that Alfred Enoch (Harry Potter film series, How to Get Away with Murder) will star in the production.(main image)
Created by Idris Elba and Kwame Kwei-Armah, this musical collaboration is an electrifying new blend of drama, music and dance as it follows one man’s journey into the heart and soul of contemporary South Africa – with the audience at the centre of the action. Directed by Kwei-Armah, Artistic Director of London’s Young Vic, with music inspired by Elba’s album Mi Mandela, Tree is an exhilarating show about identity, family and belonging, seen through the eyes of one man on the toughest journey of his life. Elba will produce along with his Green Door Productions. Tree will premiere this summer at Manchester International Festival, before transferring to London’s Young Vic.
It’s just 12 hours from London to his parents’ homeland, but to Kaleo (Alfred Enoch),
South Africa is another world. A family tragedy finally forces him to visit for the first time – and as he takes his journey of healing, Kaleo must confront hidden histories and right the wrongs of the past. But first he must face the present: a shattered family, fighting to hold on to what they believe is theirs, in a nation haunted by the ghosts of its own turbulent past. Tree will also open at the Young Vic this year.
Details: Upper Campfield Market Hall, Campfield Avenue Arcade, M3 4FN
Thursday 4 – Saturday 13 July, 8pm (Previews 29 June – 3 July)
Matinees 6-7, 13 July, 4pm
Recommended 14+, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult
mif.co.uk / +44 (0) 333 320 2890
Standing tickets from £30 / Concessions £5 off
£10 for Greater Manchester residents on a lower wage.
Janelle Monáe
GRAMMY®-nominated singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and activist Janelle Monáe
will perform on the opening night of Manchester International Festival on Thursday 4 July2019. The acclaimed artist will headline the open-air event at Castlefield Bowl in the heart of the city, helping kick off the 18-day festival.
The concert is one of only three that Janelle Monáe will be playing in the UK in 2019 and
follows the success of this year’s award-winning Dirty Computer album and a sold-out
Manchester show last year.
Details: Castlefield Bowl, Duke Street/Liverpool Road, M3 4JR
Thursday 4 July, 7pm
Tickets £35 / £10 for Greater Manchester residents on a lower wage
mif.co.uk / +44 (0) 333 320 2890
Skepta
The award-winning grime artist and producer Skepta will take audiences on a journey into the future as part of Manchester International Festival this July, with the world premiere of DYSTOPIA987, a series of intimate and immersive experiences over just three nights at a secret location in the city.
DYSTOPIA987 sees Skepta stepping outside the usual live gig format, reimagining rave
culture of the past in an uncertain future.
Audiences – or ravers – will discover an immersive culture imagined by Skepta in
collaboration with writer Dawn King and designed by creative technology studio TEM, who have worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Jay Z, Lady Gaga, James Blake, Coldplay, Primal Scream and Hans Zimmer and design brands like Alexander McQueen and Christopher Raeburn.
Once initiated into this world as the cast, the audience will interact with a set of new
technologies, and experience live performances which break down the barriers between
artist and audience; all in an interactive world that asks questions about the future: of rave, of music, and of the world.
Skepta will emerge during the evening to perform live and there will be guest appearancesfrom hand-picked artists and DJs
DYSTOPIA987
Secret location
Wednesday 17 – Friday 19 July, 7pm
Tickets: £35; £30 concs; £10 Greater Manchester residents on a lower wage
Over-16s only; under-18s must be accompanied by an adult.
About Manchester International Festival (MIF) MIF is the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events, staged every two years in Manchester, UK. MIF launched in 2007 as an artist-led festival presenting new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture. The next Festival takes place from 4 – 21 July 2019.
MIF has commissioned, produced and presented world premieres by artists including
Marina Abramović, Damon Albarn, Björk, Boris Charmatz, Jeremy Deller, Elbow,
Wayne McGregor, Steve McQueen, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Thomas Ostermeier,
Maxine Peake, Punchdrunk, The xx, Robert Wilson and Zaha Hadid Architects.
Official MIF website: https://mif.co.uk/
