Immersive Street Theatre / Devised Performance • Manchester • 3 weeks
Pre-production
1 week
Production
1.5 weeks
Post-production
0.5 weeks
Inspired by the industrial architecture of Manchester’s Castlefield, *Voices of the Viaduct* is a site-specific theatre project that transforms the towering red-brick arches beneath the railway viaduct into a stage for raw, human narratives. Performers will lead small audience groups on a short, curated journey along the Bridgewater Canal, stopping at key arches to perform short, interconnected monologues, physical theatre sequences, and choral pieces. Each arch represents a different era of Manchester’s history—from the cotton mills to the Madchester music scene, to today’s diverse communities. The piece is devised collaboratively by the cast, using verbatim text from local interviews and historical archives. What makes this unique is its deep connection to place: the acoustics of the arches, the rumble of passing trains overhead, and the ever-present canal water become integral to the performance. The small team size allows for intimate audience engagement (max 15 per walk), creating a powerful, personal encounter with Manchester’s layered identity. The final presentation will be filmed for a digital portfolio piece, capturing both the performance and the atmosphere of the location. The project leverages current trends in immersive, site-responsive theatre and the growing demand for authentic, local storytelling. It also taps into Manchester’s rich tradition of working-class culture and musical heritage, offering a fresh, contemporary lens.
Inspired by the industrial architecture of Manchester’s Castlefield, *Voices of the Viaduct* is a site-specific theatre project that transforms the towering red-brick arches beneath the railway viaduct into a stage for raw, human narratives. Performers will lead small audience groups on a short, curated journey along the Bridgewater Canal, stopping at key arches to perform short, interconnected monologues, physical theatre sequences, and choral pieces. Each arch represents a different era of Manchester’s history—from the cotton mills to the Madchester music scene, to today’s diverse communities. The piece is devised collaboratively by the cast, using verbatim text from local interviews and historical archives. What makes this unique is its deep connection to place: the acoustics of the arches, the rumble of passing trains overhead, and the ever-present canal water become integral to the performance. The small team size allows for intimate audience engagement (max 15 per walk), creating a powerful, personal encounter with Manchester’s layered identity. The final presentation will be filmed for a digital portfolio piece, capturing both the performance and the atmosphere of the location. The project leverages current trends in immersive, site-responsive theatre and the growing demand for authentic, local storytelling. It also taps into Manchester’s rich tradition of working-class culture and musical heritage, offering a fresh, contemporary lens.
2 roles still open