Turn On Fest
Turn On Fest returns for the 4th year at Hope Mill Theatre.
Saturday 14th JanuaryAlien Nation
Presented by Hope Mill Theatre’s Young Company
Join Frank the friendly alien for a journey through space. Frank lives on planet boy, but when he discovers Clarice on Planet girl they both begin to question the rules!
Based on the book Alien Nation by the Proud Trust, this peice explores gender, gender expression, gender roles, and an explanation of different gender identities.
Sunday 15th JanuaryNetworking Evening
Join us for our TOF Queer Social, a networking evening for LGBTQIA+ artists in Manchester to build connections and make ideas a reality as part of Turn On Fest.
The evening will feature a scratch performance from Sid Akbar, from his current piece-in-development ‘Besharam [Shame-LESS].
Monday 16th JanuaryLadyfriends [a period drama]
Ladyfriends is a high-octane romp through love letters, third dates, and lesbian period dramas – via the (probably) true stories of Annie Kenney and Christabel Pankhurst. Rammed with live music and film, it digs up real-life queer history to ask the age-old question: “are we dating, or are we just really good friends?”
Tuesday 17th JanuaryBobbie’s Open Mic
Box Office and FOH Supervisor Bobbie is holding a top surgery fundraiser as part of Turn On Fest!
An evening showcasing the best of Manchester’s talent! Fancy getting involved? Click the link below.
Wednesday 18th JanuaryQueer Shorts @ TOF
Qweer Shorts is Manchester’s newest LGBTQ+ theatre event.
Starting life in 2021 as a night for writers to test out new queer writing, Qweerdog is thrilled to be bringing this new night to Hope Mill Theatre.
Qweer Shorts’ biggest and boldest line-up yet, begins with three previously seen pieces – Jump by Nick Maynard, Glint by Scott C Sickles and Natter by Joe Henry – all appearing alongside several brand new, diverse, queer pieces, chosen especially for Turn On Fest 2023!
thursday 19th JanuaryQuentin Crisp: Naked Hope
Following his performance of Jarman, Mark Farrelly’s hugely acclaimed solo play comes to the Hope Mill Theatre.
From a conventional upbringing to global notoriety via The Naked Civil Servant, Quentin Crisp was one of the most memorable figures of the twentieth century. Openly gay as early as the 1930s, Quentin spent decades being beaten up on London’s streets for his refusal to be anything less than himself. His courage, and the philosophy that evolved from those experiences, inspire to the present day.
Friday 20th JanuaryDevelopment Grant Evening
This year’s Development Grant Artists are presenting exciting new works across different performance styles, and we’re so excited to share them. Supported by the LGBT Foundation.
Saturday 21st JanuaryA Conversation with Jill Nalder
2023’s Turn On Fest closes with A Conversation with Jill Nalder: Actor, Activist, Author and inspiration behind It’s a Sin’s Jill Baxter.
Turn On Fest 2023 is kindly supported by the Granada Foundation