Premiered at MIF11, Paul Heaton’s The 8th is a song in eight chapters – a look at the seven deadly sins through a series of scenes in a poor neighbourhood, a place where a new and thoroughly modern sin, the 8th, is able to insinuate itself into every person’s life. Given a theatrical narrative by award-winning playwright Che Walker (Royal Court Theatre, the Young Vic) and directed by Paines Plough’s Joint Artistic Director George Perrin, The 8th featured Heaton, Reg E Cathey (The Wire, House of Cards) and an array of guest singers, including King Creosote, Cherry Ghost’s Simon Aldred and Jacqui Abbot from the Beautiful South.

Commissioned and produced by Manchester International Festival and Paines Plough.