Manchester’s
only independent, city-centre, wheelchair accessible theatre to close its
doors…they need your help to
re-open
them & continue their work as a charity!
For many in the arts scene in
Manchester, 53two has become a name they can rely on to provide quality and
affordable theatre that is accessible for all, supporting emerging talent,
engaging a ‘theatre-for-all’ way of existence & focussing on their charity
work. (Charity No. 1179418). 53two initiatives include their 2019 ‘UNWAGED
Tickets’ scheme for people on income support of any kind, to grab a £2 ticket.
They also pride themselves on BSL Interpreting as many shows as they can do for
deaf and/or hard of hearing patrons, and even changed their staging to allow
wheel-chair users to perform at prestigious events such as the National
competition, Monologue Slam. They also quickly became the new home for
Manchester behemoth, JB Shorts, packing in up to 180 of their die-hard fans
each night, for two weeks and more recently produced shows like ‘The
Glasshouse’ and ‘The Stretch’.
Sadly, their current home was
always set to succumb to the ever present property development climate that
sees not only our skyline prickle with high-rise buildings, but, perhaps more
importantly, has all but crushed the grass-roots theatre world in Manchester.
ASK Real Estate, the owners of the iconic
tunnels that will eventually form the platform for more skyscrapers, who
provided them to Simon Naylor with an incredibly generous kick-starter loan, will
take back the venue until they commence work on site.
Thankfully, 53two have been
thrown a life-line! Their 'angels' have offered them a new home, to help them
continue their work.
‘Unfortunately we’re unable to release where
this potential new site is until planning is submitted later this month but
it’s very exciting and we can’t thank our ‘Knight’s in Shining Armour’ enough.
However, to achieve our goals of continuing charity work and supporting the
grass-roots arts, we need, as always, support. This support will of course
involve any manual work that can be donated but, primarily, we’re looking to
raise a substantial amount of money to really plant our flag in the ground and
continue to support others in a more permanent theatre and arts hub.’
Simon Naylor, Artistic Director, 53two
In the initial set up of 53two,
the team asked Manchester for help – the incredible community & friends
responded and allowed them to reach the velocity they have hit now, changing
the fringe scene in Manchester and recently bagging the ‘Northern Soul’ &
‘North West End’ Award for Best Small Venue 2018. However, they do need more to
be able to continue to support the long list of charities, grass-roots theatre
companies and artists that they have reached so far.
‘53two have
welcomed us and incorporated us into their work, making a massive cultural
shift in the Manchester Fringe scene. They have kindly hosted our Disabled
Artists Networking Community for free, making strong connections for our many
members to enable them with the possibility of producing their own work and a
venue to house it - something which hasn’t previously been possible in
Manchester. They have also hosted our Manchester Mental Health Choir, Bee Vocal
when we have been at a loss for a rehearsal space, this grass roots community
work is fantastic as it’s also connecting people from Manchester who wouldn’t
usually visit the theatre and showing them there’s different work out there
that is much more applicable to their own experiences.’
Cherylee
Houston, Coronation Street Actor
As part of their campaign,
53two asked Manchester and beyond to submit a small testimonial in support of
the venue and their work in the arts sector. Simon and the team received over
150 submissions in a little under 2 weeks including messages of support from
London, Newcastle, Scotland and beyond, as well as managing to engage Manchester
icons such as poet Tony Walsh who added;
‘53Two has quickly become a vital component in the
arts ecology and economy of Manchester and I was saddened to hear of its need
to vacate its current home in the arches. It has provided a high quality and supportive
platform for both local and touring productions as well as being a home for
important fringe-level, cabaret, poetry and musical performances and artists.
This is a level, scene and network that is vital for emerging artists, for
sustaining established artists, and one for which audiences are not hugely well
served elsewhere in the city centre.
It is in such venues that the skills are gained, the
ideas are developed and the relationships are built that makes Manchester the
world renowned centre for the arts that we must remain. I’m happy for my name
to be added to the call for all possible support to be co-ordinated for 53Two
to find a new city centre home from which to thrive. These are good people
doing good things for the city and the arts and I wish them every success.’
Tony Walsh, Poet &
Performer
D.Litt
(Hon), FRSA
Winner:
Performance of the Year, Manchester Culture Awards 2018.
You can read more of the
testimonials at www.53two.com/donate where you can also see a breakdown of the
rewards scheme that 53two are offering for those patrons in a position to
donate to their cause. If you can help or wish to find out more information,
please contact simon@53two.com.
53two
will close its doors on the 4th May to make way for the pop-events
that will fill the much loved, damp & quintessentially Mancunian arches
that have made memories for thousands of people across the city; from wedding
to wrestling. Then, the challenge to plant roots, develop a new space and
re-open begins.
‘We’re looking for help from everyone. Whether
you can donate £5 or £10,000, whether you’re a passionate individual or a
massive company, we need your support to allow 53two to continue to support the
North West. We’re even asking tradesmen to donate their time, if they can do –
plumber? Fancy having a block of toilets named after your company? You can! If
you can’t donate, and we know that some people can’t, then do please spread the
word – getting this campaign ‘out-there’ is as valuable as a donation’
Simon Naylor
Artistic Director, 53two
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