In Summer 2022 the Den was built for the third time in Cheetham Hill at the Ukrainian cultural centre to host the Den in M8.
From 29 July to 6 August, the Den, the Royal Exchange’s mobile theatre was situated in the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Cheetham Hill for two weeks of events, performances, workshops and activities.
Since 2017 the Royal Exchange has been resident in Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall, working in partnership with local communities developing key partnerships with organisations such as Manchester Jewish Museum, Khizra Mosque and Abraham Moss School and Library.
Alongside developing key partnerships, we have also been bringing together a 12-strong Local Exchange Ambassador team to co-create and deliver the Den Festival. This team of Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall residents helped shape the themes and ideas for the Festival as well as ran workshops and hosted events, compered the opening launch night and got their friends, family and neighbours to come along and experience the Den for themselves.
The Den in M8 Audience feedback
“Lively and diverse programme, giving a real sense of community”
“Fantastic show! Loved full English and I’d recommend it to anyone, especially as I too have mixed race heritage. It really struck a chord with me!”
“Lively and diverse programme, giving a real sense of community, much notably the plays of really high quality”
“Really really good. It gave me an emotional attachment to Cheetham Hill, definitely brought a tear to my eye. Well done guys!”
The Den in M8 Video
The Den in M8 hosted to 25 individual events including two exhibitions, nine free workshops, a free family day and 11 incredible performances. A mix of both professional productions and community shows – including ENG-ER-LAND by Wo-Lab and Hannah Kumari and Full English from Bent Architect productions.
We also hosted the uniquely entertaining M8’s GOT TALENT and the world premiere of COLD CHIPS AND PICK N MIX written by Sonia Jalaly and developed with members of the Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall community, starring non-professional and professional actors.
Tickets for THE DEN IN M8 were either free or a £1 with donations to the Ukrainian Cultural Relief Fund encouraged.
Alongside developing the festival, we created and delivered a customer service training programme with the Manchester Adult Education Service for local residents who are currently unemployed – this was designed to improve skills, increase confidence and encourage team working. As well as a collaboration with the Manchester Jewish Museum saw participants work with our Costume Department to design COLD CHIPS AND PICK N MIX.
The Festival - day by day...
Friday 29 July
11:30-13:00
Elders Company Workshop
with Royal Exchange Theatre Elders Producer Andy Barry
Find out more about the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Elders Company for people aged 60+. The Company meets weekly, for drama workshops and to meet new people.
17:30
M8 Performs
There’s so much talent in M8! Join these brilliant Young People from Cheetham Hill & Crumpsall as they perform their new play, created from scratch in just one week.
18:00
The Miracle Man
From a wedding in Galilee with a significant lack of wine to a man who can control the weather with just a word. Children & young people from the Cheetham Hill Holiday Club run by the New Testament Church of God with Top & Tail productions have created a brand new show based on four of Jesus’ miracles.
Written by Luke Rotherham, Directed by Rebecca Peacock, Musical Director Thomas Hockley
19:00
Dominoes and Dahlias (+Oware!)
Where can you meet a woman artist from 1922 Benin, and a Jamaican going on holiday and suddenly finding himself facing a throng of brothers and sisters he never knew existed? In a Manchester Community Garden here in the Den.
Dominoes and Dahlias (+Oware!) has been created with older people from the African and African Caribbean diaspora led by artist Cheryl Martin with musician Clive Hunte.
Caribbean food will be available from 18:00
Saturday 30 July
13:00-15:00
Young Company Workshop
Ever wanted to be an actor, director, designer, or scriptwriter? Come and discover the Royal Exchange Theatre Young Company! Open to anyone aged 14-21. Find out more about joining us.
16:00
Cheetham Hill
By Karla Marie Sweet
Cheetham Hill resident Edie Shapiro is living with a ghost. Or are her visions of long head friend Ruth merely a figment of her dementia? Her carer Lydia and Lydia’s boyfriend Majeed certainly think so. But they’ve got problems of their own. As secrets threaten to destroy their dreams and tear their relationship apart, Lydia and Majeed must fight to save their future whilst Edie reconciles with her past. Join us after the show for a question and answer session about the themes of the play.
19:00
Invisible
By Nikhil Parmar
Meet Zayan, an under-employed actor and over-employed dealer who sees himself as the hapless lead in the sitcom that is his life. Everyone else sees him as a lazy, self-centred, and useless – if they even notice him at all. Invisible is a hilariously dark story tracking one man’s desperate struggle to be seen as the hero of his own narrative.
Invisible by Nikhil Parmar was originally commissioned and produced at the Bush Theatre (27 June – 16 July 2022), performed by Nikhil Parmar, directed by Georgia Green. This non-decor performance has been granted by the kind permission of the Bush Theatre.
Sunday 31 July
11:00-12:00
Drumming Workshop
Come along to this unforgettable drumming workshop with Laszlo Palko from Percussion4u. No experience needed, just a passion to make some noise!
12:00-13:00
Sketch with Mary – Art Workshop
Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall’s very own Mary Burke aka the Cheetham Sketcher will guide you through the art of sketching and illustration. Materials provided. No experience necessary.
13:00-14:00
What Makes A Good Podcast
Want to make the next hit podcast or be the next YouTube star? Aaron Fletcher from Buzzin’ Sounds will teach you everything you need to know. In this workshop, you’ll listen to some podcasts, and everything from audio quality to hosting.
14:30 – 15:30
Catwalk Workshop led by Kiana Miles from 1520 Studios
Are you mad about fashion? Then this is for you! Kiana specialises in woman’s wear, garment design, construction and sustainable fashion. Join her to make a piece of fashion and then show it off at the M8’s Got Talent Catwalk!
16:00
M8’s Got Talent
Come and see how creative your friends, family and neighbours really are as we showcase the amazing talent of Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall in an afternoon of dance, poetry, singing and performance. M8’s Got Talent but who’ll get the golden buzzer?
19:00
Full English
By Natalie Davies & Bent Architect
Using first hand stories, Full English charts Natalie’s journey as she pieces together the fragments of her own mixed-race identity through understanding the courage of her Nan – a reggae-dancing Bradford lass who man of her dreams just happened to be from Pakistan. Because, let’s face it, who is full English anyway?
Full English is devised from the journals & memories of Natalie Davies by Natalie Davies & Bent Architect.
Wednesday 3 August
10:30-16:00
Children’s Activity Day
Take part in craft activities, colouring, lego building and puppet making. No need to book, just turn up! Face paining available 12pm-3pm.
11:00-12:00
The Story Den and Play
Have your kids got big imaginations? Bring them to our play workshop for fun drama games and activities. Then take a seat while they lose themselves in a storytelling adventure. Suitable for ages 10 and under.
15:00-16:00
Children’s Music Workshop
Bash, pluck and sing the day away with your little ones in a fun music workshop. We love all kinds of music, so there will be something for every child. All instruments provided. No experience necessary. Suitable for children under 12.
Thursday 4 August
18:00
Bhangracise
Join the revolution with Bhangracise! An award winning dance company (seem on Strictly Come Dancing) will demonstrate their brilliant Bhangra moves and encourage you to try it for yourself!
19:00
ENG-ER-LAND
Presented by Hannah Kumari and WoLab
1997 – Last year England made it to the semi-finals of Euro 96, Gina G came eighth in Eurovision and 13 year-old Lizzie fell in love with the beautiful game. Lizzie’s Mum’s from India, her Dad says he’s Scottish, but she’s English, right? Saturdays are for football and Coventry City, until something happens to make Lizzie question her place in the stands.
Friday 5 August
18:30
Cold Chips and Pick and Mix
By Sonia Jalaly
To Martin’s egg custards and penny chews. To Cresa Cars and the 50p shop. To posh coffees and karak chai and first walkmans and last orders and stuffed vine leaves and red patent shoes and Christmas trees and missing the bus and coming back because actually, this will always be home really.
This is a love letter to Cheetham Hill. Developed with the Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall community. The cast is made up of non-professional members of M8 and professional actors.
20:00
A Flock of Words
A fun evening of spoken word poetry. Featuring incredible local artists from Cheetham Hill, plus special guests from Manchester’s diverse poetry scene.
Saturday 6 August
11:00-12:00
The Story Den and Play
Have your kids got big imaginations? Bring them along to our play workshop and Story Den.
16:00-17:30
Curry and Conversation
Come and have your say! The Den in M8 is only the beginning. We want to hear from you about what you would like to see next. Join us for a curry and conversation with some of the Ambassadors, as well as members of Royal Exchange Theatre staff and share your dreams about the future for your community.
14:30 (Captioned Performance) & 19:00
Cold Chips and Pick and Mix
By Sonia Jalaly
To Martin’s egg custards and penny chews. To Cresa Cars and the 50p shop. To posh coffees and karak chai and first walkmans and last orders and stuffed vine leaves and red patent shoes and Christmas trees and missing the bus and coming back because actually, this will always be home really.
This is a love letter to Cheetham Hill. Developed with the Cheetham Hill and Crumpsall community. The cast is made up of non-professional members of M8 and professional actors.
Photos from the Den in M8
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The team behind the Den in M8 -
Photo from Cold Chips and Pick and Mix -
Ambassadors at the festival -
Henna -
Local children from our family fun day -
Photo from Cold Chips and Pick and Mix -
Photo from Cold Chips and Pick and Mix -
Ambassadors talking at 'Curry and Conversation' -
From our The Story Den and Play -
From our family fun day -
From our family fun day -
From our family fun day in our mini Den -
Facepainting at our family fun day -
From our family fun day in our mini Den -
From our family fun day -
Kids music workshop -
Mary Burke's exhibition -
Artwork from the McrCr8 project -
Ukrainian Dancers at the opening event
