Physical Theatre / Immersive Performance • Manchester • 3 weeks
Pre-production
1 week
Production
1.5 weeks
Post-production
0.5 week
Published
Launch date relative
This project reimagines Manchester’s iconic Northern Soul scene through a contemporary physical theatre piece. Set in the historic Salford Lads Club, performers will use authentic 70s dance moves (spins, drops, and floor work) combined with modern choreography to tell a story of community, rebellion, and joy. The audience will be guided through the club spaces—cloakroom, main hall, back alleys—creating an intimate, nostalgic experience. What makes this unique is the fusion of archival research with live performance: we’ll incorporate projected Super 8 footage of the original Wigan Casino era, and the soundtrack will be a live mash-up of classic Northern Soul tracks (like 'Do I Love You' by Frank Wilson) mixed with ambient soundscapes of Manchester rain and tram hums. The final piece will be filmed for a short documentary-style portfolio piece, highlighting the team’s collaborative process. The project taps into the current trend of ‘experiential heritage’—where audiences crave authentic, location-driven stories. It’s achievable for a small team: a director/choreographer, two actors/dancers, an illustrator for set design, and an art director for visuals. The Salford Lads Club (a Grade II listed building and iconic music venue) is a perfect, low-cost location with built-in atmosphere.
This project reimagines Manchester’s iconic Northern Soul scene through a contemporary physical theatre piece. Set in the historic Salford Lads Club, performers will use authentic 70s dance moves (spins, drops, and floor work) combined with modern choreography to tell a story of community, rebellion, and joy. The audience will be guided through the club spaces—cloakroom, main hall, back alleys—creating an intimate, nostalgic experience. What makes this unique is the fusion of archival research with live performance: we’ll incorporate projected Super 8 footage of the original Wigan Casino era, and the soundtrack will be a live mash-up of classic Northern Soul tracks (like 'Do I Love You' by Frank Wilson) mixed with ambient soundscapes of Manchester rain and tram hums. The final piece will be filmed for a short documentary-style portfolio piece, highlighting the team’s collaborative process. The project taps into the current trend of ‘experiential heritage’—where audiences crave authentic, location-driven stories. It’s achievable for a small team: a director/choreographer, two actors/dancers, an illustrator for set design, and an art director for visuals. The Salford Lads Club (a Grade II listed building and iconic music venue) is a perfect, low-cost location with built-in atmosphere.
2 roles still open