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A FESTIVAL OF WORKS IN PROGRESS AND EMBRYONIC IDEAS FROM THE NEXT GENERATION OF THEATRE-MAKERS IN THE NORTH WEST

CO:LAB FESTIVAL 2019 | FRI 21 - SUN 23 JUNE

Co:LAB is a response to local artists who say that they need time, space and money to begin to explore ideas and collaborations. 

The Festival aims to showcase theatre made in non-traditional ways with unexpected creative collisions and collaborations. As with all of our opportunities the festival is curated via an open call out to Open Exchange members. In some cases, Co:LAB will further develop ideas which had their origin in REACT.

The inaugural Co:LAB took place on 21 - 23 July 2017, and the second festival took place on 20 - 22 July 2018. 2019 will take place 21 - 23 June. 

Co:LAB Festival 2018 Images

A PART OF ME

By New Vision Theatre Company | Performed & Written by: Andrew Duffy, Natalie Amber, Stephanie Riches. Directed by: Grace Cordell

A PART OF ME

By New Vision Theatre Company | Performed & Written by: Andrew Duffy, Natalie Amber, Stephanie Riches. Directed by: Grace Cordell

A PART OF ME

By New Vision Theatre Company | Performed & Written by: Andrew Duffy, Natalie Amber, Stephanie Riches. Directed by: Grace Cordell

AFTER BIRTH

By Highlight Collective | Nicola Schofield, Naomi Kendrick, Jennifer Hardy, David Haworth, Sara Abanur, Amy Hailwood.

AFTER BIRTH

By Highlight Collective | Nicola Schofield, Naomi Kendrick, Jennifer Hardy, David Haworth, Sara Abanur, Amy Hailwood.

AFTER BIRTH

By Highlight Collective | Nicola Schofield, Naomi Kendrick, Jennifer Hardy, David Haworth, Sara Abanur, Amy Hailwood.

AFTER BIRTH

By Highlight Collective | Nicola Schofield, Naomi Kendrick, Jennifer Hardy, David Haworth, Sara Abanur, Amy Hailwood.

ALTAR/ALTER

By Lydia Cottrell & Michael-Jon Mizra

ALTAR/ALTER

By Lydia Cottrell & Michael-Jon Mizra

ALTAR/ALTER

By Lydia Cottrell & Michael-Jon Mizra

ALTAR/ALTER

By Lydia Cottrell & Michael-Jon Mizra

BAAL

By Knaïve Theatre & Impermanence Dance Theatre

BAAL

By Knaïve Theatre & Impermanence Dance Theatre

BAAL

By Knaïve Theatre & Impermanence Dance Theatre

BAAL

By Knaïve Theatre & Impermanence Dance Theatre

CATCHING COMETS

Created by Ransack Theatre and written by Piers Black

CATCHING COMETS

Created by Ransack Theatre and written by Piers Black

CATCHING COMETS

Created by Ransack Theatre and written by Piers Black

CATCHING COMETS

Created by Ransack Theatre and written by Piers Black

COMMIT.

By Big Liars

COMMIT.

By Big Liars

COMMIT.

By Big Liars

COMMIT.

By Big Liars

ETA CARINA

By Violet Blonde, The Kommanderrr, Clare McNulty

ETA CARINA

By Violet Blonde, The Kommanderrr, Clare McNulty

ETA CARINA

By Violet Blonde, The Kommanderrr, Clare McNulty

ETA CARINA

By Violet Blonde, The Kommanderrr, Clare McNulty

OVER MY DEAD BODY

Devised by Ali Wilson and James Monaghan

OVER MY DEAD BODY

Devised by Ali Wilson and James Monaghan

OVER MY DEAD BODY

Devised by Ali Wilson and James Monaghan

OVER MY DEAD BODY

Devised by Ali Wilson and James Monaghan

Prince Gorge

by Sophie Coward, Eliyana Evans and James Varney

Prince Gorge

by Sophie Coward, Eliyana Evans and James Varney

Prince Gorge

by Sophie Coward, Eliyana Evans and James Varney

Prince Gorge

by Sophie Coward, Eliyana Evans and James Varney

The Witching Way

Created by Ali Matthews & Leo Burtin

The Witching Way

Created by Ali Matthews & Leo Burtin

The Witching Way

Created by Ali Matthews & Leo Burtin

The Witching Way

Created by Ali Matthews & Leo Burtin

Tuch

Created by Amy Lawrence With collaboration and realisation by Tilda O’Grady

Tuch

Created by Amy Lawrence With collaboration and realisation by Tilda O’Grady

Tuch

Created by Amy Lawrence With collaboration and realisation by Tilda O’Grady

Tuch

Created by Amy Lawrence With collaboration and realisation by Tilda O’Grady

“ A wonderful, artist heaven.” Sophie Coward, Prince Gorge

“I was interested to see how this notion of supporting 'failure', experimentation and risk-taking would be upheld. I was excited across the weekend to witness, hear and take part in the incredibly supportive and non-competitive atmosphere which was greatly established by Amit and Bryony's pre-show 'shpeel'- it was hugely liberating after having rehearsed with risks, trust and challenges at the forefront of mine and Amy Lawrence's process to have this reaffirmed just as I was about to kick-off the festival, and this carried throughout the weekend, how the other artists discussed and supported each other’s work.” Tilda O’Grady, TUCH

“[Co:LAB]… was also really transformative to be able to work in the Studio and have the level of tech support we did - the show looked and sounded great and that has had a real impact on our ambitions for the piece.” James Varney, Prince Gorge

“This experience has given us a base as fairly newly form company, to know who we work together. Where each of our strengths lie and how to knit them together. This experience has allowed us to trial different aspects of the piece whilst being able to tap into the knowledge and expertise of the production team at the Exchange.” Natalie Amber, A Part of Me

“The amount of support and interest in what we were creating was perfect. There was always someone on hand to help us with any request. Also it was nice to have complete freedom to manage our time in the way that we wanted without any pressure but to be fully supported at the same time was really refreshing.” Lydia Cottrell, Altar/Alter

Co:Lab Festival 2017 Images

Survival

by Elmi Ali and Nuala Maguire

Citizen

by James Monaghan and Christine FitzGerald

Love Letters from Blackpool

Written and performed by Ruth E. Cockburn - with Claire Walmsley Griffiths, Phil Ellis, Daniel Wallace & Will Lenton

Shooting the Messenger

by Take Back Theatre Collective

Two Fat Gentlemen

by Charlotte Maxwell and Marcela Hervia

[Insert Slogan Here]

by YesYesNoNo and Conan the Librarian

Woke

Written and performed by Testament

Vent

Directed by Collette Murray, Composed by Michael Betteridge and created by The Ensemble (Alex McCoy, Andy Pilkington, Barney Cooper, Charlotte Ashton, Elka Lee-Green, Katherine McDermott, Leni Murphy, Nicola O'Keeffe, Ryan Clayton, Sarah Coyne and Steff Riches)

Power to the North

by Knaïve Theatre and Tim Foley

So Fey

by Amy Lawrence with Joe Whitmore, Vitaljia Glovackyte, Henrietta Phoebe Dunn, Nisa Cole & Lucie Browne Research Assistance: Tilda O’Grady & Jade Montserrat

Open Exchange provides a series of developmental opportunities for emerging artists of all disciplines, rooted in the belief that collaboration creates great art and brilliant theatre doesn't always begin with a script. Sign up here for opportunities.