Welcome here to MIF. That’s the Manchester International Festival. 

What is it? Lots of activities including dance, music, theatre; lots of events

The Festival opens 29 June and ends on 16 July.

There are many things happening .. some events free .. some tickets are at available at reduced prices.

Throughout the Festival there will be exciting activities all around Manchester.

Many different artists will come together here in Manchester to work together and create new work.

Lots of events will be visual.. we want make the Festival inclusive for the Deaf Community. Some events have BSL interpreters.

I will explain some events most suitable for a Deaf audience. 

There is a theatre event, here’s the title .. [The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions]

This performance is about Queer people coming together to change the world.

This is based on an original book.

There will be a BSL interpreted performance.

It will include singing, acting, and music, and should be very exciting!

Come along and celebrate our queer community.

Next we have another theatre event.

Here are the details.

The title is “THEY”

This is based on a book.

It is set in a damaged world where the people decide to rebel.

This performance is being shown in a special location. A famous library and beautiful library. This is on Deansgate.

There will be a BSL Interpreter.

Come along and enjoy an interesting event in a beautiful building.

Next more theatre

Here are the details.

“All Right, Good Night”

This is based on a famous news event from 2014.

An airplane from Malaysia to China disappeared in mid-air.

There were 227 passengers and 12 crew.. they all disappeared and we don’t know why.

The writer is fascinated by that event.

At the same time his father had dementia.

The play explores ideas of loss, disappearance, uncertainty and anxiety.

BSL interpreted performance.

Now another interesting theatre event.

Here are the details. [Untitled F*ck M*ss S**gon Play]

This play has won an international award in 2019.

The performance will be at the Royal Exchange Theatre here in Manchester..

The play investigates Asian female identities.

There will be an amazing set on stage.

There will be a BSL interpreted performance.

Now, an exciting exhibition

Here’s the details. [Yayoi Kusama: You, Me and the Balloons]

This exhibition will be at our new arts centre, Factory International.

This will be an amazing exhibition. The artist is Japanese.. they often use huge balloons for art..

For MIF23 the artist has created their biggest exhibition ever.. a huge room at Factory International will be full of enormous inflated balloons, all fascinating enormous shapes. It will be amazing.

There will be a BSL interpreted tour and you are all very welcome.

You can walk around the room admiring the beautiful shapes..

Now a really interesting event.

Here are the details. [Benji Reid: Find Your Eyes]

The artist uses his experience growing up as a Black person in the UK in his work.

They often use the medium of photography in their work.

This event will combine photography with dancing and music to make art.

This will be first time this event has happened..

Find Your Eyes will be at Manchester Academy.

There will be a BSL interpreted performance. Please check our website.

Now another exciting event.

Here are the details. [Balmy Army]

This project started a year ago. Various groups have been working together.

The focus is on mental health.

This will include various activities such as poetry, crafting, lots more.

You’re all welcome to get involved.

One event will be lots of people walking together through central Manchester.. from HOME to Factory International.

There will be BSL interpreters.

The Festival music programme will include two BSL interpreted performances. 

John Grant with Richard Hawley band

This will be at Factory International.

You are very welcome to come along and enjoy the music at this signed performance, in an amazing space.

More information about this event is on our website.

Next a very special event.

A brilliant trans cabaret performer Justin Vivian Bond.

This show will be at Factory International.

There will be a BSL interpreted performance.

Come along and have fun, laugh, scream and be fabulous!

Now a fascinating BSL interpreted tour. 

Here are the details. [Modelling Queer Utopias: A Blueprint for a Future]

This will be a tour around a redeveloped mill building.

A group of artists work there now as a network.

You can see the artists working.

The focus is on creating a perfect queer-friendly world.

More information about all of our BSL access during the Festival is on our website. [www.factoryinternational.org]