The Factory to host its first event for Manchester International Festival this weekend

It’s what we’ve all been waiting for – after weeks of build up, the highly anticipated Manchester International Festival 2021 is back, and there’s tons of exciting things to see and enjoy. 

The annual event kicked off last week with the immersive ‘Sea of Change’ performance – 140 Greater Manchester residents took over Deansgate in a ‘beautiful celebration of post-lockdown life,’ led by French choreographer Boris Charmatz.

But what’s next?

Well, while we’re spoiled for choice for the next couple of weeks, the next notable event is the launch of Arcadia, an immersive arts experience in MIF’s future year-round home, The Factory.

Having being commissioned back in 2014, The Factory is currently taking over the former home of Granada Studios, and will be a new landmark for the arts and for our city. 

It’s due for completion later next year but its immense open spaces – still under construction – will be reimagined for one weekend only as Arcadia, a space for ‘peaceful contemplation’ conceived and created by director Deborah Warner. 

OMA

The MIF website’s description reads: “Arcadia is somewhere to pause – for a moment, perhaps for longer. To come in from the city and be surprised by nature.

“And to connect with a rich soundtrack of poetry: from Sappho to Simon Armitage and from John Clare to Sabrina Mahfouz, all of it inspired by the natural world.”

There will also be recorded contributions from the likes of Simon Russell Beale, RoxXxan, Jane Horrocks, Prof. Brian Cox, Lioness, David Thewlis and many others.

Arcadia is on for just two nights during this month’s Manchester International Festival – this Friday, July 10th, and Saturday, July 11th. Tickets are £8 per person.

For more details and to book your own ticket, visit the MIF website here.