The Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase

10 Feb 2024

Pre-booking sold out*

Date: 10 Feb 2024
Venue: The Social, Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester, M3 4JQ
Tickets: Free - Booking Required

7pm

Pre-booking sold out*

Recommended for ages 18+
Running time: 3 hours

*Advance tickets for this event have now sold out. There will be a small restricted capacity for walk-ups on the day, although please be aware that seating is limited and you may therefore need to stand.

Accessibility features available for this event: Wheelchair Access

Join us for an evening of comedy, music and specialist turns presented by the Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase. Hosted by resident MC Che B, expect laughs aplenty and prizes to be won

Please note that Jonathan Mayor will replace Paul Sinha as headliner, who is sadly unable to perform because he is unwell.

Headliner: Jonathan Mayor

As a headline act, Jonathan sets the stage alight with his razor sharp audience banter and stunning charisma. But don't be fooled by the glitter and glamour, underneath lies an intelligent line of socio-political humour, from a unique and fascinating perspective, he will reduce any audience to hysterics whether they are erudite, worthy, Radio 4 listeners or the drunkest Friday night crowd.

“A self-obsessed glittery queen with a larger than life personality who arrives on stage in a bamboozling mix of innuendo” - Manchester Evening News

Supported by…

Micah Hall

Hailing from South London, Micah Hall has quickly become a rising star in the comedy scene with his unique blend of hard-hitting honesty and laid-back humor. In 2023 he won a much-coveted place on the line up of The Pleasance Theatre’s iconic live showcase Pleasance Reserve at the Edinburgh Fringe. He also joined Babatunde Aleshe to support on his smash hit nationwide tour.

“Definitely one to watch” – Russell Kane

Vinca Atta

Nothing less than a phenomenon, Vince Atta has the industry ignited! Using a multi-track looper, Vince creates live on-the-spot hip-hop-reggae-techno-anything – hilariously fusing music with natural stand-up, storytelling and audience interaction – creating the most infectious songs you’re ever likely to hear… it really is quite a show!

“One of the circuit’s most promising acts” The Guardian

Sapphire Mcintosh

Born and raised in Leeds, Sapphire is a football-playing, vox-popping, observational, high-energy comedian, actor and writer with a big, infectious personality and voice to match. She's been curating her own style of comedy for the past decade and mixes comedy with a slice of realism, using comedy as a way of talking to people about challenging social issues.

The Champ

From the critically acclaimed podcast Wrestling With The Champ the Ginger Ninja shares his tall tales from the turnbuckle, and is always on the lookout for his next opponent, or tag team partner.

Hosted by Che B, creator of the Showcase and tour support for Reginald D Hunter.

Tickets

Admission is free and advance tickets for this event have now sold out. There will be a small restricted capacity for walk-ups on the day, although please be aware that seating is limited and you may therefore need to stand.

Access information

Our full address is Aviva Studios, Water Street, Manchester M3 4JQand the what3words is chop.feeds.chase.

You can approach Aviva Studios along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield). Both entrances to the building have double sets of glass doors.

Once inside Aviva Studios, there is step-free access to all areas of the venue. The flooring throughout the building is smooth concrete.

The Social has a range of seating, including those with arms and backs.

The bars in the Social and Hall Foyer have lowered accessible service points.

Our building is large. We have portable stools available to borrow if you would benefit from resting along the way during your visit.

We have wheelchair spaces and seats at standing events for all events.

There are accessible toilets on all public levels of our building.

Accessible toilets are located inside the main toilets space in the brick arches of the Social.

Here you’ll find a mixture of accessible cubicles with left- or right-hand transfer, towards the back of the space, as well as ambulant accessible cubicles with grab rails, as well as a Changing Places facility.

The toilets in the brick arches of the Social are split into male, female and gender neutral – all of which contain accessible cubicles. There are shared handwashing facilities in each arch – they have soap dispensers under the mirrors to your left and dryers to the right. There are separate handwashing facilities inside the accessible cubicles.

There are additional single-room accessible toilets located in both Hall Foyers, at stalls and circle level.

There are additional single-room accessible toilets located in the Warehouse Foyer.

You do not need a key to use the accessible toilets at Aviva Studios.

Assistance dogs are welcome in our building, and we can provide mats and water bowls on request, just ask a host when you arrive. We can also take care of your assistance dog if you do not want to take your dog into the performance space. Please also refer to our assistance dogs policy.

If you are bringing an assistance dog to a ticketed event, please let us know in advance by contacting access@factoryinternational.org or calling our access phone number: 0161 817 4531 (phone lines are open 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday).

Travel information

Aviva Studios can be approached along Water Street (coming from Quay Street) or along Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).

Our closest stations are:

Salford Central station: 0.4 miles

Deansgate station and Deansgate-Castlefield tram: 0.6 miles

St Peter’s Square tram: 0.6 miles

Manchester Victoria station is approximately one mile from Aviva Studios

Manchester Piccadilly station is approximately 1.3 miles from Aviva Studios

Click on the links above to find detailed access information for each station.

By Bike

There are 40 bike parking spaces at Aviva Studios including space for two accessible bikes.

National Cycling Route 6 passes close to the venue and this TfGM webpage can help with route planning.

You can also hire bikes from on-street docking stations across the city centre. The closest docking stations to our venue are currently on Deansgate by Liverpool Road and (400m from the building) and by King Street (500m from the building). Take a look at Transport for Greater Manchester’s webpage for advice on cycle hire.

By Walking and Other Active Means

Aviva Studios can be approached along Water Street via Liverpool Road (coming from Deansgate or Castlefield).

If you're coming from Quay Street, the safest route to avoid construction works is via the cut-through opposite Gartside Street and past Booking.com.

All footways in the surrounding area are well lit and there are appropriate crossings across all main roads.

Pedestrians with visual impairment are recommended to approach the building via Water Street, from Liverpool Road. This route has traditional carriageway and footway design with fixed street furniture which should help with navigation to the entrance.

A footbridge at Left Bank in Spinningfields provides an accessible link across the River Irwell to Salford Central station, and a further footbridge also links Aviva Studios with the Salford area of Middlewood Locks.

Free bus services stop at all city-centre stations, and near to Aviva Studios along Deansgate, Bridge St and Quay St. Buses on these free routes are wheelchair accessible. For full details of the free bus routes, please visit the TfGM website.

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