Manchester's theatre scene welcomes back audiences again

Tonight - it's curtains up for what's thought to be the first indoor theatre performance in Manchester in 7 months.

Since restrictions eased last week, rehearsals have been going ahead for 'Meet Me At Dawn' at Hope Mill Theatre, which will run from May 25th-29th.

The Covid-compliant show stars local actors Helen O’Hara and Susan Jayne Robinson, who play a couple who wash up on a distant shore after a boating accident.

The 80-minute show, full of fantasy and plot twists, will also be live streamed on May 26th for those unable to attend in person.

HER Productions was set up in 2019 by Manchester-based actor Hannah Ellis-Ryan, best known for her role as Coronation Street baddie Hannah Gilmore, who pretended to be Liz McDonald’s dead daughter in the controversial storyline in 2018.

Hannah, who is also manager at the Hope Mill Theatre, said: “It feels like all the stars have aligned for us to open so early and get live theatre happening again.

“I am not aware of much indoor theatre happening in Manchester before us. If we are not the first in the country, we are one of the first, which is a huge honour.

“This show was one of many that fell victim to the pandemic – we wanted to do it last year but of course, could not. It feels so satisfying to finally have all the pieces in place.

“Like all writers, actors and creatives over the past year, we have been craving the chance to do what we love and be creative, so now, thanks to Hope Mill Theatre’s incredible support, we are raring to go.

“I feel so positive about this show. There has been such a thirst for the arts since theatres closed – as we’ve seen with the popularity of shows streamed online – and I think people will be really looking forward to getting out and back into theatres to experience the Arts live again.”

Hope Mill Theatre is ahead of the game with Covid-compliance after staging a socially-distanced production of hit musical Rent in October last year, just before Manchester was put into Tier 3 of restrictions.

And Hannah, who is also a writer and producer, believes that ‘Meet Me At Dawn’ is a perfect play to be performed now lockdown has ended.

She said: “Now the pandemic has happened I can’t imagine doing it any differently. It is the perfect play to bring to audiences after lockdown – it is performed by only two actors in a small space, and this will speak to so many people who have been locked down in the past year.

“Audience members will be sat in family bubbles, with perspex screens between groups. There will also be temperature checks on arrival, and masks will need to be worn. We don’t have the full government guidance yet, but we are prepared for whatever restrictions are put in place.”

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