This August, the Royal Exchange Theatre’s mobile theatre space, the Den, returns to Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley for two jam-packed weeks at Fred Longworth High School.
We’ve been working with a brilliant and passionate group of local Ambassadors and Champions to create a festival full of fun, creativity and local stories! Expect music, workshops, shows, comedy, drama, family activities and much, much more.
Week 1: Thursday 7 – Sunday 10 August
The first week of the festival sees us kick off in style with a residency from the Snug featuring local music artists, an interactive cabaret show called BIG STRONG MAN and a family show about a shipwrecked princess. Plus we have plenty of workshops, including the start of the Raise Your Voice project where you can help write a new anthem for the area!
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Week 2: Thursday 14 – Sunday 17 August
The second week includes getting sporty with LALA Arts, the premiere of new show Pigeon, featuring a fantastic professional and community cast, before we conclude with Stories of Us (a play made all in one day!) and our Local Exchange Festival choir perform the new anthem for the area.
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Want to get involved?
Have you ever wanted to be part of something special? Do you love performing, interested in technical theatre — or are you simply curious to give it a go? We’re looking for local people aged 14+, from Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley to join the community cast or work behind the scenes on the new show that we are making in just one day! Stories of Us — a celebration of the people, places and stories that shape our towns — as told by the community, for the community.
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Raise Your Voice
In the first week of the festival we are looking for people aged 12+ to help create a brand new community anthem. Across two creative sessions, you’ll help write lyrics and melodies that reflect real lives, stories, and hopes from the local community. No experience needed, just bring your voice, your ideas, and your passion.
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Then in week two, we are looking for more people aged 8+ to join an uplifting, intergenerational choir and help premiere the new anthem as part of the final festival celebration. Open to all levels – there are no auditions, you just need to bring energy and heart. Whether you’ve sung in choirs before or it’s your first time, your voice matters.
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We are looking for 13 – 18 year olds to take part in a week-long project about drama and theatre making. The group will create a new play from scratch under the expert guidance of director Julia Wilson and perform it on Saturday 9 August in the Den.
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All opportunities are free and voluntary. If you have questions or access requirements you wish to discuss, please email engage@royalexchange.co.uk