Discover a world of comedy, drama, live music, new writing and storytelling at Oldham Library as the popular live@thelibrary returns for its summer season.
Audiences can enjoy the usual offer of the best and brightest in new writing, author events, comedy shows, family performances and lunchtime talks, plus – new for this season – music and cabaret.
Running from May to July the season opens with ‘Between the Two’, a new play written by two of the UK’s most exciting new playwrights: Rochi Rampal and Daniel Tyler to celebrate the 2017 UK-India year of culture.
Hard hitting drama is brought to the stage in Spring Reign – a drama about the Syrian conflict – based on real life accounts of refuges, aid workers, activists and journalists. And King Lear is turned on its head in a one man show that re-examines its themes and insights.
Comedy performances include Kissing Frogs, where the audience follows Jessica as she kisses the odd frog on her journey to find love and Declaration – an instinctive, colourful, candid and bouncy exploration of ADHD.
The hugely popular digital theatre series is back with filmed performances of acclaimed theatrical productions featuring some of Britain’s best known actors.
For the music lover, there is ‘A Thousand Times’, a seminal biopic of Jacques Brel the Belgian singer-songwriter who composed and performed literate, thoughtful, and theatrical songs and The Borealis Saxophone Quartet will perform a programme of both classical and contemporary music.
The summer season also sees the return of the Open Space Festival showcasing the work of writers and performers from Oldham and across Greater Manchester.
The programme also features a feast of children’s events. Families can go on an intergalactic adventure on ‘Planet Caravan’; meet animals, watch flowers bloom and trees blossom in Aleena’s Garden and become absorbed in the magic of two of the country’s most dynamic storytellers with ‘Laugh a’nory’ and ‘Just Soph’.
There are even storytellers for the grown-ups as Alice Broadway and Peter Benson present their new books – Ink is the first book in Alice Broadway’s dark trilogy about love, loyalty and the longing to live forever. Prize-winning novelist Peter Benson’s ‘The South in Winter’ is a story of (almost) unrequited love and a meditation on the possibility of redemption.
Maggie Kufeldt, Oldham Council’s Executive Director for Health and Wellbeing, said: “Live@thelibrary has become a staple in our calendar and each season goes from strength to strength – people know to expect quality and accessibility in the productions on offer.
“Our libraries are invaluable resources and much more than just a place to borrow books. We strive to provide a wide range of services, facilities and information for residents of all ages.
“I hope people will come along to support these events with their family and friends and – if you are not already – please take the opportunity to become a member of your local library.”
As well as checking out the full range of events in the Performance Space at Oldham Library, why not visit www.oldham.gov.uk/libraries and find out what else is on offer at your local library?
