The festive season at Manchester's under-the-arches theatre and arts venue 53two features the premiere of Bear Left (December 13-23), an anthology of uplifting human stories that unfold in a motorway service station on Christmas Eve.
Featuring original songs and created by 53two artistic director Simon Naylor with composer Ollie Mills, the festive journey follows a series of weary travellers as they descend on Pinkerford Services in search of coffee, petrol – and answers to their existential crises.
The show has script contributions from Manchester-based Steph Lacey, Emma Hinds, Hannah Macdonald and Mohammed Barber and will feature some famous local faces, with each performance narrated by a surprise guest.
Simon Naylor said: ‘‘We’re incredibly excited to collaborate with the team at Imaginality Productions for the second time to deliver a show that will set us all up for Christmas.
‘‘From keeping tickets affordable to physical access and British Sign Language interpretation, accessibility is at the heart of everything we do and we’re proud to deliver a show that the whole community can enjoy.’’
BSL/captioned performances of this show will take place on December 16, 2:30 pm and December 21, 7.30.
*Autotrader is the venue's official access sponsor, ensuring the show is open to everyone. This is also the first major production for 53two where performers and audience members will have access to the venue’s newly-fitted Changing Places toilet. 53two is the first indie arts space in the city to install the facility, which will provide increased independence for users.
The emphasis on accessibility includes physical access to the building, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, offering affordable and unwaged tickets and even gluten-free options at the bar. The venue encourages disabled, disadvantaged, and under-served artists and visitors from across Greater Manchester.
Info and tickets here