As 2022 draws to a close, we're looking back at a momentous year at the Royal Exchange Theatre. From our work on stage to our community projects, we've had a tremendous year!
- Our productions this year have included comedies such as the World Premieres of BETTY! A SORT OF MUSICAL and ELECTRIC ROSARY, which made it to The Stage’s Top 50 shows this year!We’ve reimagined timeless classics like THE GLASS MENAGERIE and NORA: A DOLL’S HOUSE, BLOODY ELLE – A GIG MUSICAL which made a triuphant return. As well as Jack Thorne’s tender halloween treat, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, which wowed audiences across Greater Manchester.
- The Engagement team have been busy this year with amazing projects within the wider communities of Greater Manchester like Leigh who produced the show, BEST EVER PLACE EVER.Throughout 2022, we brought THE DEN IN M8 to Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall this summer, housed at the amazing Ukrainian Cultural Centre, where we delivered 8 days of performances, plays, talent shows and workshops.We continued our work in Beswick, Openshaw and Clayton, who will be hosting THE DEN in 2023, as we develop key partnerships and deliver a range of arts activity for all ages.
- Young Company and the Beswick Young Company have had a really successful year with sold out shows for ASTRONAUTS during the summer, as well as their wonderful site specific performance/exhibition, SORRY WE’RE CLOSED, which took over the Great Hall.We introduced a project with schools, called TAKE UP SPACE, where we worked with 5 schools from across greater Manchester.
- The Elders Programme introduced a new programme working with Black older people from the African and Carribbean Diaspora, THE DREAM PROJECT, which in turn produced their amazing show, DOMINOES AND DAHLIA’S (+OWARE!). So amazing that it even toured at the Storyhouse Chester!They also produced BEYOND THE GLASS, formed by the Elders graduate programme included 40 elders.
- During the summer, the Elders and the Young Company got together for the INTERGENERATIONAL COMEDY PROJECT that filled The Rivals with laughter.
- THE BRUNTWOOD PRIZE FOR PLAYWRIGHT 2022 was well recieved this year, bringing in more 1,900 new scripts from all over the world.
- The Royal Exchange Theatre has also seen many visitors and guests who have used the space differently, like AN AUDIENCE WITH TOM ALLEN, a wedding, and conferences with Wilmott Dixon and Camp Digital.
- The 45th year anniversary of the theatre was during COVID, so we took this year to say Thank You to our donours with a Tea Party in the module.
A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR AUDIENCES, PARTICIPANTS, AND ARTISTS WHO HAVE SUPPORTED THE THEATRE THROUGHOUT 2022 AND GIVEN US A TRULY INCREDIBLE YEAR OF THEATRE.
