New Dawn Fades - A Play About Joy Division And ManchesterBack In 2023!
The Run Of Shows
New Dawn Fades – A Play About Joy Division and Manchester kicks off its series of shows at The Leadmill in Sheffield on the 10th of October. We then play two nights at The Met in Bury on the 11th and 12th October, before heading over to Manchester to the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM) for shows on the 13th and 14th of October. See below for details and links to tickets.
What to Expect
The 2023 edition of New Dawn Fades is an all new production with new Producers, a new Director and a new cast. You can read all about the team behind the play here. You can also follow the process of the play’s production here.
Apart from the new production there will also be a Joy Division exhibition on display in two of the venues – Bury and Manchester. This will include equipment including instruments, flight cases, Martin Hannett mixing equipment and other items from the extensive collection at CH Vintage Audio. There will also be other Joy Division items on display including posters, original records and other items.
Tickets are selling very quickly so don’t hesitate in booking you seat for this highly historic event!
Upcoming Shows
New Dawn Fades – A Play About Joy Division and Manchester
ABOUT THE PLAY
New Dawn Fades – A Play About Joy Division and Manchester chronicles the rise and fall of Manchester’s ground-breaking post-punk band and the tragic suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis.
(Photos: Courtesy of Shay Rowan)
This is the story of four ordinary lads from Manchester, Salford and Macclesfield who, inspired by the punk revolution of the 1970s, came together to form one of the most influential bands of all time, Joy Division.
This unique production places the band within the context of Manchester’s history as a city with a vibrant reputation, setting the scene for a completely new and fascinating look at the Joy Division story.
Anthony H Wilson guides the audience through the heart and soul of both the band and the city, interviewing an array of historical figures, including Roman General Julius Agricola, Dr John Dee, and Buzzcocks!
The result is a spellbinding journey of love, passion, progress, grief, and of course music, drawing inspiration from the enigmatic lyrics of Ian Curtis, with a soundtrack featuring live performances of his most beloved tracks.
A smash hit when it debuted at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in July 2013, New Dawn Fades was subsequently staged at the Macclesfield WinterFest in Ian Curtis’ home town, where it played to capacity audiences and standing ovations, as it did in March 2014 during a one-off performance at Manchester Dancehouse Theatre. A tour of England in 2015, saw more acclaimed performances at a variety of theatres including Chester’s Forum Theatre, Leeds City Varieties, and Manchester Dancehouse. in 2022 the play packed two night at RNCM in Manchester.
Written by Brian Gorman, creator of Everyman: The Story Of Patrick McGoohan – The Prisoner, co-writer of the 2013 stage version of Blade Runner, and writer/artist of the Joy Division graphic novel.
The play is produced by Nigel Carr and Tony Davidson of Tin Orb Ltd and directed by Mark Jones, Artistic Director at Chorley Theatre.
What the reviewers said about New Dawn Fades:
“… a spellbinding and brilliant play about one of the greatest bands of all time. I totally urge anyone left out there who believes in music to go and see it.”
John Robb, Louder Than War, louderthanwar.com
“I was crying. It was very emotional at the end. It captured everything perfectly. I loved it; it had everything – the music and the emotion… there was such a buzz in the building.”
Rowetta, Happy Mondays
“New Dawn Fades is more than a play about Joy Division; it’s about Manchester, friendship, love and heartbreak … it’s clear this is a piece full of energy.”
Tracey Lowe, The Good Review
“It’s all very entertaining and works unexpectedly well, especially at capturing the spirit of the times…”
Kevin Bourke, Manchester Evening News
“This is a very ambitious play and (the director) works wonders to achieve many complex scenes with style.”
Dave Cunningham, The Public Reviews
A powerful and irresistible glimpse of an exciting time for the development of Manchester, Salford and alternative pop culture.”
Matt Charlton, thefictionstroker
“Let’s just say, this is an experience you won’t easily forget.”
Mary O’Meara, Mudkiss Magazine
