HOME Manchester is joining leading production company Fane Online to present a selection of exclusive online shows with celebrated authors, actors and podcasters direct to audiences at their home.
A percentage of the money raised from tickets booked via the season’s links will go to the Manchester arts centre. Audiences can buy a ticket that includes a supporting or accompanying book, or a ticket to the show alone.
All the events offer a cinema-style experience that goes beyond a simple live stream. Among the attractions, which begin ironically on August 1 – the announced date for live theatre to resume (see here) – are a live chat between Sir Ian McKellen and author Armistead Maupin (August 12), a talk by the nation’s favourite TV journalist and documentary maker, Trevor McDonald (August 16), a live stream from award-winning restaurant critic Jay Rayner (September 4), and similarly starry talks from explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes (September 6), gardening favourite Monty Don (September 17), TV chat show superstar Graham Norton (September 27), novelist William Boyd in conversation with Actress Tamsin Greig (October 6), Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (October 12) and others.
The series overlaps the planned opening date of HOME, which is still scheduled for September 4 – the cinemas, bars and restaurant on that date, with the theatre spaces following later (see here).