Events in August–September 2019
- Greater Manchester Skeptics Society present: Soapbox Special
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Greater Manchester Skeptics Society present: Soapbox Special
Traditionally, our August talk is a little different: it's four of our members giving shorter talks on topics they're passionate about.
This year, we have:
- Simon's take on the natural fallacy in food health discourse, and why you should love e-numbers after all;
- Leah Callender-Crowe, on the Ask for Evidence campaign, the nature of good and bad evidence, and asking for evidence of claims in every day life;
- ‘Freedom of Information: What you need to know’ from Claire Elliott — Find out more about FOI, how to make a request, the exemptions and the funny side of FOI; and
- Dean Moore discussing the evidence for the health benefits of meditating and optimism, while deconstructing the superstitious and often dangerous claims made about these practices in New Age movements
- Comedy Sportz: Improv Mullet
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Comedy Sportz: Improv Mullet
Improvised comedy on the first Saturday of the Month from the team behind ComedySportz.Why Improv Mullet? Because it's shortform in the front and longform in the back. In other words, quick-witted 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' style gags and games in the first half and longer improvised sketches and scenes, maybe a whole unscripted play, in the second. Watch as this team of comic minds make like MacGyver to craft comedy from nothing but your suggestions. Find out more about CSzUK and their Improv shows and workshops at www.comedysportz.co.uk or find them on twitter: @ComedySportz_UK“The team have certainly earned their title of ‘North-West’s top improvised comedy troupe'” North West End
Show Starts 7.30pm. £3 on the door of free entry to anyone with a genuine mullet. - This Thing In Here
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This Thing In Here
You’re getting ready to go out but your depression has other ideas. Then, a parade of mentally ill people from the past show up in your bedroom. We’ve all been there, right? Indent Theatre Company’s debut show is an honest and accessible piece of new writing that examines the feelings of insignificance that depression can cause. Inspired by first-hand accounts from sufferers of the mental illness, This Thing in Here embraces the struggle but ultimately presents a hopeful view on what it’s like to live with a brain that sometimes feels a little bit broken.
- Fossils
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Fossils
Two in a bed Theatre Company’s debut production, Fossils tells the story of Danny and Jamie who are nothing more than strangers, until one night when everything changes. Funny, dark and uplifting, find out their secrets and what they really have to hide in this brand new play all about finding out who you really are. We’ve all got fossils, but will they be discovered?
- The Community Centre
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The Community Centre
The Community Centre is an original, diverse, feel-good, laugh a minute comedy show...So what’s it about? It’s about life in a local community centre, full of hilarious stories about the people who run it and the people who go there. Think of Desmond’s mixed together with One flew over the Cuckoo’s nest combined with a dash of Fawlty Towers. We find out that as the show unfolds, we really can all live together as one extremely, strange but happy family!Tickets available at: - The Community Centre
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The Community Centre
The Community Centre is an original, diverse, feel-good, laugh a minute comedy show...So what’s it about? It’s about life in a local community centre, full of hilarious stories about the people who run it and the people who go there. Think of Desmond’s mixed together with One flew over the Cuckoo’s nest combined with a dash of Fawlty Towers. We find out that as the show unfolds, we really can all live together as one extremely, strange but happy family!Tickets available at: - The Community Centre
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The Community Centre
The Community Centre is an original, diverse, feel-good, laugh a minute comedy show...So what’s it about? It’s about life in a local community centre, full of hilarious stories about the people who run it and the people who go there. Think of Desmond’s mixed together with One flew over the Cuckoo’s nest combined with a dash of Fawlty Towers. We find out that as the show unfolds, we really can all live together as one extremely, strange but happy family!Tickets available at: - Not Exactly Strangeways
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Not Exactly Strangeways
"STRANGEWAY'S, Not Exactly! Welcome to Bentwood for Boys!". Jason is due to be transferred over to an adult prison to finish off his sentence but the bus hasnt arrived for him just yet!
- Not Exactly Strangeways
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Not Exactly Strangeways
"STRANGEWAY'S, Not Exactly! Welcome to Bentwood for Boys!". Jason is due to be transferred over to an adult prison to finish off his sentence but the bus hasnt arrived for him just yet!
- Fight Like A Girl 2
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Fight Like A Girl 2
Inspired by the fights of phenomenal women:
Following the success of the original 'Fight Like A Girl!',
we present three more nights of new writing, short plays and poetry to raise money for Cancer Research.
- Fight Like A Girl 2
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Fight Like A Girl 2
Inspired by the fights of phenomenal women:
Following the success of the original 'Fight Like A Girl!',
we present three more nights of new writing, short plays and poetry to raise money for Cancer Research.
- Fight Like A Girl 2
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Fight Like A Girl 2
Inspired by the fights of phenomenal women:
Following the success of the original 'Fight Like A Girl!',
we present three more nights of new writing, short plays and poetry to raise money for Cancer Research.
- Medea
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Medea
As punishment for the slaughter of her two sons, Medea is compelled to wander
throughout time with her companion and protagonist, Chorus, to perform her tragedy,
again and again, so that audiences may understand the nature of her crime.It's Greek tragedy - but probably not as you know it.A bold new reimagining of Euripides's classical tragedy, adapted by Peter McGarry, directed by Patrick McConnell, and produced by Rotten Park Road.Featuring Lynne Payne and Sophie Toland. - Medea
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Medea
As punishment for the slaughter of her two sons, Medea is compelled to wander
throughout time with her companion and protagonist, Chorus, to perform her tragedy,
again and again, so that audiences may understand the nature of her crime.It's Greek tragedy - but probably not as you know it.A bold new reimagining of Euripides's classical tragedy, adapted by Peter McGarry, directed by Patrick McConnell, and produced by Rotten Park Road.Featuring Lynne Payne and Sophie Toland. - KHOST, Tunnels Of Āh, Primitive Knot, Steckdose and The Wyrding Module
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KHOST, Tunnels Of Āh, Primitive Knot, Steckdose and The Wyrding Module
A night of sonic + visual + spiritual upheaval. Vast electronic transmissions from industrial doom duo KHOST, Tunnels Of Āh (previously Head of David) joined by Primitive Knot, Steckdose and The Wyrding Module. From 19.30, August 24, £5 entry. Extra sounds on the night from carthage.
- Conor Molloy
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Conor Molloy
Conor Molloy is a musician from near Manchester in the UK. His songs often tell a story or hang around an idea and the lyrics usually play an integral role. Influences include: Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, Paul Heaton, Johnny Cash, Kirsty MacColl.
In November 2018, with a band consisting of Jordan Price (Drums), Tomasi Sorosi (Bass) & Sam Winterbottom (Electric Guitar), he supported Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott (formerly of the Beautiful South) on their 'Last King of Pop' tour at Blackpool Winter Gardens, Sheffield City Hall, and the Royal Albert Hall to a sold out crowd.
Paul Heaton then gave the track 'Teddy Bear' airplay on BBC 6 Music when he appeared as a guest on Radcliffe and Maconie in December 2018.
The song 'Village Moon' also received airplay on BBC Introducing songs of the year in December 2018.
On August 25th he will be playing with the band again at the King's Arms Salford for a night of chirpy tunes, lyrics with a twist, and a new Single.
- Taboo
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Taboo
Join us for an evening of all things TABOO.
We will showcase a selection of pieces all themed around the topic we all love. Join us for a night of spoken word, duologues, monologues & music which all celebrate this controversial topic.
What do you find Taboo?
- Comedy Sportz: Improv Mullet
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Comedy Sportz: Improv Mullet
Improvised comedy on the first Saturday of the Month from the team behind ComedySportz.Why Improv Mullet? Because it's shortform in the front and longform in the back. In other words, quick-witted 'Whose Line Is It Anyway?' style gags and games in the first half and longer improvised sketches and scenes, maybe a whole unscripted play, in the second. Watch as this team of comic minds make like MacGyver to craft comedy from nothing but your suggestions. Find out more about CSzUK and their Improv shows and workshops at www.comedysportz.co.uk or find them on twitter: @ComedySportz_UK“The team have certainly earned their title of ‘North-West’s top improvised comedy troupe'” North West End
Show Starts 7.30pm. £3 on the door of free entry to anyone with a genuine mullet. - Lydia Lunch presents Verbal Burlesque
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Lydia Lunch presents Verbal Burlesque
A night of spoken word & music
w/ Official: Lydia Lunch, Louise Woodcock & Slow KnifeVerbal Burlesque combines the dynamic spoken word histrionics of Lydia Lunch, one of the genres most controversial performers plus Louise Woodcock & Slow Knife. This will be a very intimate seated show.
Only 50 tickets available.Lydia Lunch
Lydia Lunch is passionate, confrontational and bold. Whether attacking the patriarchy and their pornographic war mongering, turning the sexual into the political or whispering a love song to the broken hearted, her fierce energy and rapid fire delivery lend testament to her warrior nature. Queen of No Wave, muse of The Cinema of Transgression, writer, musician, poet, spoken word artist and photographer, she has released too many musical projects to tally, has been on tour for decades, has published dozens of articles, half a dozen books and simply refuses to just shut up.Lousie Woodcock
Spirit worker, reiki master, performer/creator and avid non-musician, Woodcock appears in whichever guise suits her purpose and has no time for limitations. Woodcock is a lynchpin of Manchester’s experimental music and art scenes, is a seasoned performer and immersive theatre actor working across venues from Manchester Gallery to pubs to glitzy bars like Albert’s Schloss, performing controversial characters including the infamous trashy glamour puss, Trish Dee. She’s agitated The Fall fans at the request of Mark E Smith and incited public walk-out’s from Manchester Gallery.Slow Knife
Slow knife are the sound of Edgar Allan Poe writing soundtracks to pagan Hammer Horror films with a jazz ensemble. Think Ed Wood and Christopher Lee in the sack with Ken Nordine. - City 125 - The Club With No History
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City 125 - The Club With No History
Dreamshed Theatre is delighted to return to the The Kings Arms with Bill Cronshaw’s new show which takes a romp through City’s history in this, City’s 125th anniversary year.
‘It’s like a fairy tale!’ says the life-long Blue as he introduces us to characters including a young lad, an elderly fan, a daydreaming manager of an amateur lads’ team and a long-suffering wife, girlfriend and mum. This revue-style show takes liberties with dry historical facts to track City’s journey to the Etihad. Suitable for all ages, this show is entertaining City diehards and general theatre-goers alike as it tours the UK.
- City 125 - The Club With No History
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City 125 - The Club With No History
Dreamshed Theatre is delighted to return to the The Kings Arms with Bill Cronshaw’s new show which takes a romp through City’s history in this, City’s 125th anniversary year.
‘It’s like a fairy tale!’ says the life-long Blue as he introduces us to characters including a young lad, an elderly fan, a daydreaming manager of an amateur lads’ team and a long-suffering wife, girlfriend and mum. This revue-style show takes liberties with dry historical facts to track City’s journey to the Etihad. Suitable for all ages, this show is entertaining City diehards and general theatre-goers alike as it tours the UK.
- Pramkicker
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Pramkicker
After an award winning performance at this year's Greater Manchester Fringe, Postcard Theatre's revival of Sadie Hasler's Pramkicker returns!
Jude has always known she doesn't want kids. Her sister Susie isn't sure if her ovaries are twingeing or if she just needs a wee. One day, in a café full of 'yummy mummies', Jude loses the plot and kicks a pram. Then gets arrested. Then gets sent to anger management. Susie goes along for the ride and uses the opportunity to confess a secret. Pramkicker takes an unflinching look at what it means to be a modern woman.
- Pramkicker
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Pramkicker
After an award winning performance at this year's Greater Manchester Fringe, Postcard Theatre's revival of Sadie Hasler's Pramkicker returns!
Jude has always known she doesn't want kids. Her sister Susie isn't sure if her ovaries are twingeing or if she just needs a wee. One day, in a café full of 'yummy mummies', Jude loses the plot and kicks a pram. Then gets arrested. Then gets sent to anger management. Susie goes along for the ride and uses the opportunity to confess a secret. Pramkicker takes an unflinching look at what it means to be a modern woman.
- Drain by Lana O'Kell
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Drain by Lana O'Kell
In a working class town in the UK, five creatives struggle to make a living out of their chosen careers as poverty, exclusivity and lack of opportunity continues to hold them back. Forced to sign on at Universal Credit, the group find it difficult to stay hopeful that things will change as the system that is meant to help them only pushes them further down the drain.
Throughout the summer of 2018, against a backdrop of scorching heat and the World Cup, the five friends battle societal and financial hurdles as they try to find ways to get the same opportunities as everyone else.
- Drain by Lana O'Kell
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Drain by Lana O'Kell
In a working class town in the UK, five creatives struggle to make a living out of their chosen careers as poverty, exclusivity and lack of opportunity continues to hold them back. Forced to sign on at Universal Credit, the group find it difficult to stay hopeful that things will change as the system that is meant to help them only pushes them further down the drain.
Throughout the summer of 2018, against a backdrop of scorching heat and the World Cup, the five friends battle societal and financial hurdles as they try to find ways to get the same opportunities as everyone else.
- Drain by Lana O'Kell
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Drain by Lana O'Kell
In a working class town in the UK, five creatives struggle to make a living out of their chosen careers as poverty, exclusivity and lack of opportunity continues to hold them back. Forced to sign on at Universal Credit, the group find it difficult to stay hopeful that things will change as the system that is meant to help them only pushes them further down the drain.
Throughout the summer of 2018, against a backdrop of scorching heat and the World Cup, the five friends battle societal and financial hurdles as they try to find ways to get the same opportunities as everyone else.
- Greater Manchester Skeptics Society present: Matt Tompkins: The Spectacle of Illusion
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Greater Manchester Skeptics Society present: Matt Tompkins: The Spectacle of Illusion
Is seeing believing? Is believing seeing? How can we hope to conduct experiments on things that only exist within our minds, and, on a related note, can scientists ever be trusted to study deception without being deceived themselves? What can scientists learn about the mind from the illusions developed and practiced by professional magicians? Join magician and experimental psychologist Dr. Matthew L. Tompkins, author of The Spectacle of Illusion, for a fascinating talk exploring the psychology of magic.
Everyone’s heard, and most of us have told, a story about an uncanny or supernatural seeming experience. Accounts of wondrous and impossible phenomena can be found around the world throughout recorded history. These extraordinary events often seem to be facilitated by extra-ordinary individuals: sorcerers, spiritual mediums, psychic sensitives. Such phenomena have even been reported under ‘test conditions’, witnessed by scientists—men professionally trained in the practice of empirical observation. To date, such events have not led conventional scientists to embrace the reality of supernatural phenomena- but they have arguably led to scientific breakthroughs how we understand the psychology of illusion.
This talk will feature a mixture of storytelling and magical scientific demonstrations to explore how scientists, past and present, have approached the study of illusion. Matt will discuss how magic played a weird but fundamental role in the in the establishment of psychology as a scientific discipline, and how he and other contemporary researchers have been using magic tricks to create new experiments in order to investigate human memory, perception, and reasoning.
- A Quick Guide to Ruining your Life
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A Quick Guide to Ruining your Life
An Award Winning Play by Laura HarperFrom the outside, Dawn has it all; nice house, fast car, great friends and family, and a new job out in sunny Dubai. So why has she been hiding in her own attic for the last three months? She’s about to confess all to the world, but not before she confronts some painful home truths, uncovers a heart-breaking infidelity and learns to poop in a bucket!
Awards
Winner of the 'Write for the Stage' New Writing Award, July 2019
Nominated for Best Comedy, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, 2019
Nominated for Best Drama, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, 2019
Nominated for Audience Choice Award, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, 2019
Nominated for Oldham Coliseum's Pick of the Fringe Award, Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, 2019