As the modern world grapples with the timeless struggles of 1984s society; oppression, surveillance, authoritarianism the novel is as relevant as ever. Octavius 1984 brings a modern spin to the classic. Winston Smith is one of the many citizens of Airstrip One: an oppressive, totalitarian police state formerly known as the United Kingdom. As the unquestioned ruler Big Brother watches over his every move, an unlikely romance forces him to choose between rebellion and subservience in a matter of life or death.

A Taste of Honey lays bare the stormy love between mother and daughter. Helen drags her daughter Jo from one Salford flat to the next, chasing fleeting romances and leaving chaos in her wake. Yet Jo clings to the hope of love and escape, swept up in the charm of Jimmie and the promise of a Christmas that might finally be her own. Shelagh Delaneys landmark play captures the grit, humor, and heartbreak of working-class life in 1950s Salfordbut at its heart, its a story of the unbreakable, complicated bond between mother and daughter. Half a century after it first shocked and delighted audiences, this classic returns home to Salford for its 50th anniversary. Witness the drama, the laughter, and the tenderness that made it timeless.

A new play about motherhood, giving birth, postpartum psychosis and stand-up comedy! A new mother, Cass, tackles her mental health crisis, with dark humour, bright wit, brutal honesty and dreams of becoming a comic. A slightly true story starring BAFTA winner Kimberley Nixon (C4s Fresh Meat, Wild Child). A brilliant piece of writing and performance. A really smart piece of work. Porters Theatre, Cardiff It touched our heart strings Katy Thomas, Mothers Matter charity Genuinely funny throughout Lee Walters, Ffilm Cymru Wales Kimberley is electric Tim John, screenwriter of A Streetcat Named Bob

Returning to the Salford Arts Theatre this May, Lived Experiences is a new writing event raising awareness for mental health issues. Held in conjunction with Mental Health Awareness week, and partnered with the charity Back On Track, Lived Experiences will showcase 7 fantastic and brand-new short plays. The plays range from comedy to drama, naturalism to absurdism. Compered by Manchester comedian Will Rice (Frog and Buckets Beat the Frog finalist) , Lived Experiences 2026 promises to not only be a crucial talking point around mental health, but also an entertaining night of fresh talent and creativity. The event boasts a team of talented writers, directors, and actors, including (but not limited to!) award-winning writer Barbara Diesel (Best Play Greater Manchester Fringe Festival, 2024) , and nominated directors Paddy Nicholls (Best Director and Best of the North - Manchester Short Film Festival 2017) and Madison French. Please be advised that some pieces will feature strong language and potentially triggering content; the recommended age is therefore 16+. A full list of trigger warnings will be available ahead of and on the night and re-iterated at the introduction of each play, with opportunities for audiences to step out between each piece. Mental health resources will be available.

No Photos is a spoken word show that explores social anxiety, self-image, and visibility through the lens of a man who never wants to be in the picture. Rooted in humour, rhyme, and storyteling, the show explores the inner life of a young man who avoids the camera at al costs. What starts as social anxiety slowly opens out into an exploration of memory, identity, masculinity, and what we inherit, emotionaly and digitaly, from the generations before us. Moving between jokes, silence, and confession, the show uses wit as armour, masking fears shaped by childhood expectations, online visibility, and the pressure to be seen but not known. As the performance deepens, images and media shift from threat to tool, offering unexpected routes toward self-recognition and repair

Watch out! Dinosaurs about! A one man adventure with poetry, rap, dance and lots of dinosaurs! Join Proto, the smallest and quietest dino, as he meets some wildly different prehistoric personalities. Cheeky T-rex is full of energy and never stays still. Gentle Argentinosaurus just wants everyone to get along. Mysterious Spinosaurus might have the power to make wishes come true. When a group of three troublesome allosaurus decide to stir things up, is there any way everyone can be friends? Award-winning rhythmic rhymer Dommy B (Glastonbury Festival Poet in Residence, BBC Rhyme Rocket) takes you on a wild ride, telling you about his delightful dino pals. Full of interactive opportunities, anyone whod like to join in with the words or movements can! (But no one has to do anything they dont want to do!) Children aged 5+ and their grown-ups will adore these roar-some poems, rap and dance. Supported by Big Imaginations. Developed with schools across the North West.

This June, We are Salford brings together a group of local women who have found the comedy in everyday life and brought it to the stage for an unforgettable one-night performance. Join us for a centenary celebration of Salfordian women with an evening of laughter, warmth, and stories told with heart.

Pub? follows the staff at the newly reopened Legless Lamb Inn, as they debrief after the worlds worst shift. Together they recount the errors of the night, sorting over-enthusiastic teenage waitresses, sexually charged chefs, and creepy customers, all to get an answer to that all important question: whos to blame for everything that went wrong?