Company bringing Fringe to Stockport
AFLEDGLING theatre company named after one of Stockport’s most iconic landmarks will bring the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival to the borough.
Viaduct Theatre will perform China Plates and Pearl Earrings at the Hat Works, on Wellington Road South, over five days next month.
It will be the company’s second outing - having performed Playing God at the same venue in March this year.
Maureen O’Neill, from Bramhall, founder of Viaduct Theatre, said: “It’s a family drama that a lot of people will have a lot of experience of, because it deals with sibling rivalry.
“The last surviving parent has died. It’s mum and the three children, two sisters and a brother, have got to clear the house.
“These three people are thrown together on this particular day and night and all sorts of things come up. Those old but not forgotten grievances.
“It’s very funny, poignant and moving. I’ve seen it and it made me cry. It made me laugh out loud as well.”
The Greater Manchester Fringe Festival takes place across the area throughout July.
China Plates and Pearl Earrings, written by Jade Jones, takes place at the Hat Works community room from July 17 to 21 at 7pm each day with a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.
Among cast members are Claire Haymes, Lorna Newman, Helen O’Hara, Paul Smith, Tom Coffey, Ali Wilson-Goldsmith and Emma Young.
Last year’s festival saw a play at Stockport train station – The Suitcase, The Beggar and The Wind – sell out.
Maureen is hoping the same will happen at the Hat Works and provide a springboard for her company to add to Stockport’s theatre scene. She said: “Our first performance was to see if there was a market in Stockport and it sold out.
“The Plaza and the Garrick do wonderful things and Stockport has a great music scene but it needs more for its theatre scene.”
Maureen is looking for premises for Viaduct Theatre, anyone who can help can email maureen@viaducttheatre.co.uk. For tickets visit www.greatermanchesterfringe.co.uk.