
Q: When are you moving?
Whilst we will continue to produce and perform work into the future, we will be performing our last work in our current home on Sunday 4 July, which will be a Gala evening. Tickets will go on sale shortly. The last play to be performed by us on the stage in Manchester’s Central Library will be The Importance Of Being Earnest which runs between Saturday 5 June - Saturday 3 July. The Importance Of Being Earnest was one of the Library Theatre Company’s very first plays performed on this stage, some 58 years ago! We still have a full programme of events right up to leaving Central Library and beyond.
Q: Why are you moving?
We are moving home because Manchester Central Library is being vacated for a major three year refurbishment, and because the Library Theatre Company needs a home with more space and enhanced facilities in order to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of the company.
Q: When will you move into a new home?
We will hopefully be moving into our new home in the next three to four years. The Theatre Royal on Peter Street (just over the road from our current home) is the preferred location for the new theatre, which will involve restoring Manchester’s oldest surviving theatre building back to its original use. This is a major undertaking and means that we will be ‘on the move’ for the next three years or so whilst the new theatre is renovated.
Q: Where will you be performing from in the meantime?
We will be performing at the Lowry three times a year in the Quays Theatre for up to a month at a time. This will include our acclaimed Christmas shows. We will also be doing a number of site-specific productions around the city centre including some major new works.
Q: Where will you be based?
Our temporary home will be at the Zion Centre in Hulme. This will act as our management and administrative base. We will also be using the space for rehearsals and as a fantastic resource for our Community and Education work.
Q: How will I book my tickets when you have left Central Library?
For all shows that take place at the Lowry, you’ll need to book through the Lowry directly as the Central Library building will be closed. To book online for shows that we are performing from the Lowry, click on the booking links next to the show of your choice from our own website where you will be able to select and pay for your seats. You could also call the Lowry Box Office on 0843 208 6000, Monday to Saturday from 9.30am to 8pm and Sunday 10am to 8pm. Book in person at the Lowry from 10am to 8pm, 7 days a week. Groups should call 0843 208 6003. All shows taking place before July 5th 2010 at the Library Theatre should be booked from the Library Theatre.
Q: How can I keep track of what’s going on at the Library Theatre Company and learn about the move?
All our events and news will continue to feature right here. We’ll be getting a new-look website up and running at around the same time that we move, which will feature all the latest events and news from the Library Theatre Company as well as up-to-date features on our journey as we move towards relocating to our new city centre base.
You can read about our history by clicking through here.
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