Factory International

MIF25

Liberation

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An artistic collage in the shape of Africa features key figures, cultural icons, and historical moments from the continent's liberation movements. The illustration is on a warm brown background. An artistic collage in the shape of Africa features key figures, cultural icons, and historical moments from the continent's liberation movements. The illustration is on a warm brown background.
Date
3 - 20 Jul 2025
Venue
Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann's Square, Manchester M2 7DH
Tickets
Standard Tickets £22-£40
Affordable:
Concessions £11-£22
Aviva £10 Tickets
A booking fee of £1.50 per ticket applies to all bookings

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: 7.30pm

Wednesdays and Saturdays: 2.30pm and 7.30pm

Sundays: 3pm

We are selling tickets for the duration of MIF25 (3 - 20 July). You can book tickets for the full run of LIBERATION (27 June - 26 July) from the Royal Exchange Theatre.

We are working with a venue partner on this event. All bookings for accessible tickets need to be booked directly with The Royal Exchange Theatre. You can call 0161 833 9833 (Monday-Saturday, 11am-5pm) or email access@royalexchange.co.uk.

We’re putting art in the heart of Manchester, within reach of everyone; and have affordable ticket options including £10 tickets on most shows for those who need them.

For information about Aviva £10 Tickets and concessions visit our Affordable Ticketing FAQs page.

Book tickets - members only Become a member for priority booking

Suitable for 12+ Under 14s to be accompanied by an Adult

Accessibility features available for this event: Captioning Audio Description BSL Interpreting Wheelchair Access Assistive Hearing

How does a revolution begin and who are the people that keep it going?

Inspired by true events in Black British history, LIBERATION is a powerful new play from writer Ntombizodwa Nyoni and director Monique Touko. Tracing the private lives of the people who fought to liberate Africa, it explores why their story remains relevant in 2025.

It’s 15 October 1945, Manchester. Africa's freedom and future is in the hands of her descendants at the Fifth Pan-African Congress at Chorlton-on-Medlock Town Hall.

With decades of championing change under their belts, emerging African and Caribbean activists and scholars offer new radical ideas of liberation. However, the organiser, Trinidadian activist George Padmore is unsure who to pass the baton to. Kwame Nkrumah is fuelled by an idealistic desire to become the first Black president of the Gold Coast. Young, resourceful Jamaican social worker Alma La Badie is grappling with the truth behind who must be sacrificed for the cause. And what of the revered Amy Ashwood-Garvey how does she ensure the voices of Black women are heard?

A story of hope, friendship and the consequences of a long-denied awakening unravels in the conference halls and bars of Chorlton, but at what cost?

This groundbreaking new play developed 80 years after the Congress introduces the people behind the movement. LIBERATION gets to the heart of how our future is built, how our leaders are made, and how dreams are realised. With generational shifts and gender politics added to a swirling mix of power dynamics, LIBERATION asks timeless questions about revolution, freedom, and what it means to be an activist.

Manchester International Festival 2025

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Tickets

Factory International members on sale: Tuesday 11 March, 12.30pm

General tickets on sale: Wednesday 19 March, 10am

We have a range of affordable tickets, including options from £10 for those who may need them. You can find out more about our Affordable Ticketing Policy here.

For ticketing and box office related enquiries, please contact tickets@factoryinternational.org or call 0333 322 8679 (phone lines are open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm).

For more information please visit Ticketing and Sale of Goods Terms & Conditions – Factory International

We are selling tickets for the duration of MIF25 (3 - 20 July). You can book tickets for the full run of LIBERATION (27 June - 26 July) from the Royal Exchange Theatre.

Credits

By Ntombizodwa Nyoni

Directed by Monique Touko

Commissioned by the Royal Exchange Theatre

Produced by Royal Exchange Theatre and Factory International in Manchester

Illustration by Ali ‘Komikamo’ Kamara

Access information

The full address of the theatre is Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester M2 7DH and the what3words is clever.upgrading.dated.

The Royal Exchange Theatre can be approached from Market Street, St Ann’s Square or Cross Steet.

There are 3 accessible toilets available at this venue. There are also additional gendered toilet facilities.

Assistance dogs are welcome within the Royal Exchange Theatre. If you wish to attend a performance, a member of staff can care for your dog. Alternatively, depending upon the production, it may be possible for you to take your dog into the performance. 

We are working with a venue partner on this event. All bookings for accessible tickets need to be booked directly with The Royal Exchange Theatre.

When booking online, please first complete the Royal Exchange's new access form to make sure you have any relevant access requirements selected. Then when buying tickets, as well as the discounted price being applied at checkout, certain seats which are more suited to your requirements will show as stars (rather than circles). You are still free to select any seat in the theatre.

For further enquiries contact access@royalexchange.co.uk.

There is lift access to the theatre from the St. An’s Square Entrance. The Great Hall is all on one level, with level access at two doors of the theatre.

This event will take place in the Theatre space which is accessible to wheelchair users. The Theatre and The Studio have six wheelchair spaces in total. It is possible for companions to sit alongside wheelchair users in both theatre spaces. Please book any wheelchair spaces in advance from the Royal Exchange Theatre directly when you book your tickets, so that the team can reserve them and the adjoining seats for anyone else in your party. 

This event will have BSL interpretation on the following dates:

Wednesday 16 July, 2.30pm

Thursday 17 July 7.30pm

This event will have captioning on the following dates:

Saturday 19 July 2.30pm

Saturday 19 July 7.30pm

A wireless hearing enhancement system operates in both of the theatres.

The audio enhancement is available through a receiver for use in conjunction with a hearing aid or, alternatively, an in-the-ear headset.

Please contact the venue directly to book a headset.

Royal Exchange Theatre Access Information →

travel information

The Royal Exchange Theatre is approximately 0.4 miles from Victoria Station, 0.8 miles from Oxford Road Station, and 0.8 miles from Piccadilly Station.

The Royal exchange Theatre is approximately 0.2 miles from Exchange Square, and 0.4 miles from Piccadilly Gardens Tram Stop.

The Royal Exchange Theatre is served by the number 2 free bus routes, and a number of public bus routes. The theatre is 0.4 miles from Piccadilly Gardens bus station, and 0.4 miles from Shudehill bus station. 

Take a look at TFGM’s bus information for further details: https://tfgm.com/ways-to-travel/bus

There is bike parking on Cross Street, directly opposite the theatre.

There is a cycle hire bank on at the corner of New Cathedral Street and Market Street.

Take a look at Transport for Greater Manchester’s webpage for advice on cycle hire.

The Royal Exchange Theatre can be approached from Market Street, St Ann’s Square or Cross Steet.

There is blue badge parking on Market Street and St Ann Street.There are several car parking spaces within a 10-minute walk of the Theatre. Car parks which are within easy distance of the theatre and offer late opening include:

  • Q-Park Deansgate
  • High Street multi-storey car park, above the Arndale Centre
  • Manchester Arena car park

The Royal Exchange Theatre is 0.7 miles from Aviva Studios.

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