Our Work History
Enchanted Evenings (2006, 2007)
In place of the Garden of Delights, we have started to programme a range of different special events, bringing some of the most exciting international companies to Manchester for a sequence of evening performances. We charge a nominal £1 entry for most of these (children free) , as a way to raise some money for the events the following year . Considering how popular our events are, this also enables us to have effective control over the size of audience, so there is no overcrowding.
In 2006, we held 4 different projects:
- Theater Titanick – ‘Insect’ : 2 sell-out nights with a large scale spectacular outsdoor family event at night in Castlefield Arena , Manchester City Centre
- Feast! Picnic by the Lake – an evening and an afternoon in Platt Fields Park, Manchester, where the focus was on the audience bringing their picnics, candles, tablecloths, flowers etc and we provided some entertainment.
- Circus Ronaldo – La Cucina del Arte: sellout performances of theatrical circus in bigtop in Platt Fields Park
- Carabosse: Installation de Feu: 3 evenings in a glorious firegarden installation in Platt Fields Park
Garden of Delights (2003 - 2005)
A weekend 'pleasure garden for the 21st century', that took place around the lakeside of a Manchester park. Visitors were treated to a host of installations, colourful tented environments, sculptures, decorations and a continuous programme of outdoor theatre, puppets, dance, music, creative activities and strolling entertainment. This was our major area of development for 3 years. We had intended to increase its scale and complexity so that it gained national importance , but , in spite of its huge popularity with the public, we found it impossible to raise enough money to enable to project to be expanded safely. Sadly 2005 was the last.
In 2004 and 2005, the Garden of Delights played host to Britain's premier international performing arts showcase x.trax, which attracts hundreds of professionals to Manchester to see the best street festival work available, alongside an eclectic indoor programme in theatres and spaces around the city. In 2008, it will host x.trax again. www.xtrax.org.uk
Festival Europa and Manchester Live Festivals (2003)
Commissions from Manchester City Council to programme aspects of their spring and summer festivals. We programmed small scale street theatre throughout both festivals and produced the opening night of festival Europa and the closing weekend of Manchester Live – with Festa Catalana, two days of traditional street entertainment by day and night with 800 performers from across Catalonia.
French Farmyard Installation in Albert Square, with Le Phun (July2003)
Another area of development for us – special installations lasting a number of days, sited in Manchester City centre. This one involved a French peasant smallholding taking up residence in front of Manchester Town Hall. Complete with home, plants and livestock (not to mention a windmill, privvies and a huge steam-filled greenhouse), the farming family tilled their garden, fed their animals and broke bread with Manchester people day and night throughout the working week.
Decibel@xtrax street festival (2003)
A day of African, Caribbean, Asian and Chinese music and street performance on the plaza of the Lowry Arts Centre. This formed part of Arts Council England’s decibel showcase weekend of culturally diverse performance, co-ordinated for them by x.trax .
x.trax on the streets (2001)
Another internationally significant showcase festival in Manchester City Centre.
www.xtrax.org.uk
Asda Feast of Delights Jubilee Parade and BBC Music Live Street festival (2002)
Countywide parade for the Queens Golden Jubilee, that involved over 50 groups from 9 Districts of Greater Manchester, alongside an extensive programme of street entertainment day and evening, in the city centre.
'Urbis Dreamers' (2002)
A commission from Manchester City Council to plan an event to profile the launch of the flagship project Urbis.
Commonwealth Games street festival entertainment (2002)
Commission from Manchester 2002 to present entertainment for athletes at the Athlete's village, for crowds at the stadium and for visitors to the City centre , over the 10 days of the Games. Commission from Rochdale MBC to present entertainment to accompany the arrival of the Queens Baton relay in the town, on its way to the Commonwealth Games.
Streets Ahead Festival (1995 - 2000)
An MIA initiative to present a countywide international festival of cultural animation and street life. This was the official countywide Millennial Celebration.
The Launch of Exchange Square, Manchester (Nov 1999)
Commission from Manchester Millennium Ltd to organise a major spectacle - Raining Violins' to open this new civic square.
Huddersfield International Market Festival (July 1999)
Commission from Kirklees MBC to programme entertainment for a very large 3-day market festival, with an evening launch event.
Moonlit Manchester and Chef's Showdown (October 1998)
Commission from Manchester Festival and Events Team to organise free events for Manchester Food and Drink festival.
BBC Music Live Street festivals (1997, 2000, 2002)
Commission from the BBC to organise these major events.
Bacardi Latin Carnival (1998)
Commission from Manchester Mardi Gras to present a special event for sponsors Bacardi.
Festival Fantastique (1996)
Commission by Manchester festival to present a large scale animatory event in the wake of the bomb-blast in the City centre.
Ona Catalana (1994)
MIA promotion of a month-long festival of Catalan arts, regarded as the highlight of the City of Drama celebrations and winner of a SWOT marketing award and a Manchester Evening News Theatre award.
Manchester's Alive (1992)
MIA promotion for the first National Music Day, featuring artists from 17 different cultural communities resident in Manchester.
Jashan-e-Bahar (1991)
MIA promotion of a Pakistani Spring Festival featuring international and local artists.
'Viva Europa' - Greater Manchester Europe Week (1989)
A commission to organise cultural events throughout Greater Manchester and a major event in Manchester Town Hall featuring artists from every country in the EEC.
International Theatre Performances:
Indoor as well as outdoor, often their first appearance in the UK.
Promotions include:
1995 Sarruga (Catalonia) - and again in 2000;
1996 Transe Express (France) - and again in 1999;
1997 La Cuadra de Sevilla (Spain); Theater Titanick (Germany) ;
1998 Les Alamas Givrés (France); The Market Theatre of Johannesburg;
1999 Amoros et Augustin (France); Theater KTO (Poland); Pesce Crudo (France);
2000 Xarxa (Spain);
2001 Vis a Vis (Holland);
2002 Sticky (UK); Legs on the Wall (Australia)
2003 Circus Ronaldo
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