Pushing the limits of independent production in Manchester. We want to give voices to the invisible, tell great stories and dare greatly.
Current News
Hypocrisy by Daniel Bradford
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Dates: November 27th -30th 2024,
Time: 7pm-8:15pm (70 minutes runtime) Location: Chapter One Books, Chatsworth House, 23 Lever St, Manchester M1 1BY 'Hypocrisy' is a gripping drama that delves into the darker side of spirituality, sex, and consent. Through the lens of two men confronting their shared past, the play explores the complexities of memory and perception. As they battle over their views of a long-ago relationship, "Hypocrisy" unveils the conflicting ways people remember the same situation. This thought-provoking play challenges the audience to question the nature of truth and the influence of power dynamics in personal narratives. |
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Some Voices by Joe Penhall
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From the production company behind ‘ORPHANS’ and ‘'SANS MERCI’, 'THE EFFECT' and 'DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA', Play With Fire Productions returns with ‘SOME VOICES’, written by Joe Penhall, the genius mind behind the hit Netflix series ‘MINDHUNTER’.
Ray, a young man with schizophrenia, is trying to reassimilate after a stint in a psychiatric hospital. He is sent to live with his overworked brother, Pete, where he is torn between getting his life back on track and his exciting infatuation with a troubled young woman named Laura. A play about our minds, medications and those we surround ourselves with. Some Voices will get inside your head, make you laugh and make you question who, if anyone, in this world can really be labelled 'sane'. Directed by Alyx Tole Produced by Play With Fire Productions Starring Daniel Bradford, Elaine McNicol, Danny Solomon, Richard Cartin and Simon Price. |
Danny and the Deep Blue Sea
by John Patrick Shanley
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"Danny and the Deep Blue Sea offers no easy answers but ultimately affirms that there is always hope. Play With Fire’s fiercely-focused, emotionally-charged production is truly compelling, and Solomon and Ellis Ryan are both excellent. One of the best things I’ve seen so far this year." - Circles and Stalls "Confounds expectations and becomes a life-enhancing experience. A pair of stunning performances.." - British Theatre Guide ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ "An immensely intense and powerful piece"- North West End ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ "Drowning in despair one moment while gleefully flinging arms around each other the next. Powerful and affecting theatre once again from Play With Fire Productions." - Opening Night |
The Effect
by Lucy Prebble
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We are so proud to announce that our next production 'The Effect' comes to Oldham Coliseum for THREE NIGHTS ONLY this September. Directed by Jake Murray of Elysium Theatre Company.
Two young volunteers, Tristan and Connie, agree to take part in a clinical drug trial. Succumbing to the gravitational pull of attraction and love, however, Tristan and Connie manage to throw the trial off-course, much to the frustration of the clinicians involved. This funny, moving and perhaps surprisingly human play explores questions of sanity, neurology and the limits of medicine, alongside ideas of fate, loyalty and the inevitability of physical attraction.
Two young volunteers, Tristan and Connie, agree to take part in a clinical drug trial. Succumbing to the gravitational pull of attraction and love, however, Tristan and Connie manage to throw the trial off-course, much to the frustration of the clinicians involved. This funny, moving and perhaps surprisingly human play explores questions of sanity, neurology and the limits of medicine, alongside ideas of fate, loyalty and the inevitability of physical attraction.
Things We Want
Hope Mill Theatre, May 30th - June 9th
Coming this May, PWF collaborate with Swaggering Crow Productions to deliver this fantastic black comedy by Jonathan Marc Sherman.
Three adult brothers are living together once again in their childhood apartment, coping with the void left by their parents’ deaths. Drugs, love and new age spirituality consume their search for purpose, until a surprise visit from an upstairs neighbour turns everything upside down and challenges all the brothers thought they believed. A sweet and sour look at the illusions we have about what makes us happy—and what is within our power to change.
Info and Tickets - https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/things-we-want/
Three adult brothers are living together once again in their childhood apartment, coping with the void left by their parents’ deaths. Drugs, love and new age spirituality consume their search for purpose, until a surprise visit from an upstairs neighbour turns everything upside down and challenges all the brothers thought they believed. A sweet and sour look at the illusions we have about what makes us happy—and what is within our power to change.
Info and Tickets - https://hopemilltheatre.co.uk/events/things-we-want/
Contractions / North of Providence - GM Fringe 2017
What people say about Play With Fire
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"Play With Fire’s production is outstanding. There’s a wonderful pace, both in the snappiness of exchanges and in the way the play slows down for moments of reflection. Intelligent direction from Alyx Tole makes excellent use of the well designed set, and develops the three characters effectively...." Quiet Man Dave Review "It's only the middle of January, but I have a sneaking suspicion that this production will be one of the most outstanding to come out of the Fringe scene in Manchester this year. If you only go and see one production, make it this!" - North West End 
Photos by George Hill Photography
Act 1 #Orphans. Building tension. @_DanielBradford captivating younger element in the room whilst staying true to the original 80's script. - Ravi Thornton Congrats 2 @playwithfiremcr + @AlyxTole 4 #Orphans Great Acting, Design - sound, lighting and set - all hung together by an amazing director - Mark Fox 
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A Twitter love affair.... @playwithfiremcr
Amazing night of theatre seeing Orphans @hopemilltheatr1. Congratulations to @playwithfiremcr for producing such brilliant work! - Max Emerson Superb emotional rollercoaster black comedy seeing #Orphans at @hopemilltheatr1 tonight (amazing space too!) - Dan Jarvis Congratulations to @playwithfiremcr and @AlyxTole for a great opening night of #Orphans. @hopemilltheatr1 upping the Manchester Fringe game! - Laura Danielle Sharp Orphans from @playwithfiremcr, directed by @AlyxTole, is excellently done and totally absorbing. Still on @hopemilltheatr1, don't miss it! - Abi F-A Hynes Explored @hopemilltheatr1 for the 1st time last night for the opening of @playwithfiremcr 's #Orphans. A lovely venue for a fantastic show. - Jodie Radcliffe Get yourself along to @hopemilltheatr1 & see #Orphans @playwithfiremcr Fab new venue, fab play, fab performances! Congrats @highpeakpapa - Jane Hollowood Loooved #orphans at @hopemilltheatr1 last night. Well done all @AlyxTole @playwithfiremcr - Annika Edge |
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