sustained theatre

2010 offers a range of new and exciting opportunities in theatre. In the North West, The Royal Exchange, Sustained Theatre Website and the North West Regional Hub have connected on an amazing theatre experience!

Find out more about the new content from North West Sustained Theatre Sector artists by clicking this link; ONLINE: Sustained Theatre North West Regional Hub

Sustained Theatre members can experience the latest production of that iconic American drama, Lorraine Hansberry's 'A RAISIN IN THE SUN.

The Royal Exchange Theatre would like to offer Sustained Theatre Members the chance to see A RAISIN IN THE SUN for ONLY £5 on Saturday 30 January (matinee at 2.30pm or evening at 7.30pm) on Stage Level- saving as much as £24 per ticket!

Call the Royal Exchange Box Office on 0161 833 9833 and quote 'Sustained Theatre Offer' to receive your discount. (Max 4 tickets per booking. All tickets are subject to availability.)

Also, more information below on The Royal Exchange Free Mezzanine Exhibition, 'MAVERICKS: THE JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM ELLIS'.

'RAISIN IN THE SUN' Wed 27th January – Sat 20th February

RAISIN IN THE SUN was the first play written by a black woman to be produced on Broadway, being awarded the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Award in 1959. Lorraine Hansberry sets her play in 1950s Chicago during the early years of the American Civil Rights Movement.

Sponsored by Continental Airways, the play follows the Younger family as they struggle to find a better and more comfortable lifestyle. It records their frustrations as they try to rise above their lower-class roots and to find success in a predominantly white America despite the racial and social prejudice that continues to weigh them down.

Guest director Michael Buffong takes the helm for this new production. His previous Royal Exchange credits include SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION and ALL THE ORDINARY ANGELS.

An impressive cast includes American actress Starletta DuPois, making her UK stage debut as matriarch, Lena Younger in this production. Having already played the same role in an Emmy award-winning TV movie version of the play alongside Danny Glover, her extensive credits include WAITING TO EXHALE (with Angela Bassett and Whitney Houston) and WOLF (with Michelle Pfeiffer and Jack Nicholson).

The cast also includes Damola Adelaja, Simon Coombs, Tom Hodgkins, Ray Emmet Brown, Lyndon Rhoden, Damani Holness, Vivien Nkundibiza and Claudien Nkundibiza.Follow the Backstage Twitter at the Royal Exchanges new production at; 'Raisin in the Sun'

The play itself has been adapted for film and tv, being nominated for two Golden Globe and won the 1961 'Gary Cooper Award' at the Cannes Film Festival. Heres a slice of the original film trailer starring Sidney Poitier.

MAVERICKS: THE JAZZ PHOTOGRAPHY OF WILLIAM ELLIS

'This is not reportage – this is Art.' (Peter Vacher, The Guardian)'

William Ellis is at the vanguard of music photographers and is widely recognised as having created an important document of the contemporary international jazz scene. His contribution to the culture was acknowledged by the American Jazz Museum, Kansas. Recent exhibitions include Bremen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Havana, Hong Kong and Penang

The free Royal Exchange Mezzanine Gallery exhibition runs from Wednesday 27 Jan to Sat 20th February. In the meantime for you jazz groovers, heres Wynton playing 'Cherokee'