Hitting the Contact Theatre in February is Pen-Ultimate with their debut show A Night on the Tiles. Described as “Manchester’s freshest lyrical outfit” Pen-Ultimate is a hip-hop theatre group made up of Ben Mellor, Martin Stannage, Niven Ganner, Frisko Dan and Samira Arhin-Acquaah who combine their talents to make up a theatre and spoken word collective.

The plot, which was inspired by the famous poker game scene in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, follows a group of seedy underworld gangsters who are competing in a high stakes Scrabble tournament. Pen-Ultimate blend theatre, spoken word, music and video to convey the narrative across to the audience.

This promises to be an exciting production and I am looking forward to reviewing it as I have never had the chance to experience a piece of theatre like this before.

Thursday, February 4 to Saturday, February 13, 7:30pm (plus 1:30pm on Tuesday, February  9 and Thursday, February 11)

The prices are £10 full price and concessions (under 18; registered disabled; unemployed; full-time student or over 60) are £6.

FREEACT is a scheme that allows people under 26 to see theatre for free.  All they have to do is fill out a form and return it to Contact Theatre and then they get to see five free shows a year.  It’s a great way of getting young people to experience drama – it would be great if you could mention it in relation to A Night On The Tiles and the rest of our programme as well.

Early bird half price tickets available from January 4-13.

www.contact-theatre.org

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The Durutti Column’s A Paean to Wilson is being performed at the Lowry at Salford Quays, to launch their new album of the same name. Originally performed as part of Manchester International Festival’s 2009 line-up, this album is a tribute to Manchester’s famous son, Anthony Wilson, who died in 2007.

The Durutti Column is led by Vini Reilly and he is joined by long-time regulars, drummer Bruce Mitchell, bass player Keir Stewart and pianist Poppy Morgan, string player John Metcalfe and trumpet player Tim Kellett.

Back in 1978, they were the first band to sign to Tony Wilson’s Factory label and  this performance is Reilly’s personal tribute to his friend and mentor. The show was described in the Guardian as “A very personal, emotional and often warmly funny tribute.”

This musical eulogy was performed in July over three nights, as part of MIF, but this Lowry gig is likely to be very intimate and emotional.

I think it’s fitting to say that, on the eve of December 31, 2009, that Tony Wilson’s influence on the city as a whole will continue into the next decade.

This concert takes place from Sunday, January 24 at 8pm.
Tickets are £18.50.
www.thelowry.com
www.ticketline.co.uk

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