Contact Theatre

Contact Theatre stands in Manchester’s Chorlton-on-Medlock district, a short walk from the University of Manchester. The building was designed by Alan Short and Associates for the 1999 redesign and later updated by Sheppard Robson in 2022. It houses a 320-seat main auditorium and an 80-seat studio in a newly built turret. The theatre was founded in 1972 as Manchester Young People’s Theatre by Barry Sheppard and Hugh Hunt. Since then it has grown into an independent arts venue funded by several bodies while remaining a registered charity. The theatre is worth the journey because it has hosted an international festival every two years since 2002. Contacting The World brings young artists from more than twenty countries to create new theatre together. Its programme also includes dance, music, poetry, spoken word, hip-hop and art, alongside touring and in-house productions. The building itself has won awards, including the Stirling Royal Institute of British Architects Building of the Year in 1999. Artistic directors have included John McGrath, Baba Israel, Matt Fenton and Keisha Thompson. Visitors find a modern auditorium with flexible seating and a smaller studio space for experimental work. The grounds were updated during the 2022 renovation while keeping the original design intact. The theatre’s programme changes regularly, offering fresh performances and events throughout the year. Its location near the university’s drama department makes it easy to reach after a walk through the surrounding streets.