2 Weeks...20 Plays...5 Finalists...1 Winner! Offcut is Back!!! One of the UK’s most successful platforms for undiscovered writing, acting and directing talent found a new home. Prior to this, the Off Cut Festival had been one of London’s biggest springboards for many new careers and working relationships, all born in the spirit of collaboration, camaraderie and friendly competition. And always with an emphasis on audience engagement.

Peterloo, The Rock Musical. Performed on the 206th anniversary of the massacre at St Petersfield in Manchester.

The Naked Neds are back! Get ready for a rollercoaster of laughter, tears, and maybe a few awkward moments with Paul, Jamie, Tony, Harry, and Bev! ‘The Naked Neds' follows a group of Glasgow lads as they navigate the turbulent aftermath of their best friend's suicide. In a world where politicians' expenses seem to matter more than NHS waiting lists, they decide to take matters into their own hands. After a string of failed fundraising attempts and just when their lives couldn't get any more complicated, one of the boys finds a lump, throwing their plans - and everything else - into a whole new perspective and they realise there's only one thing they can do; take their clothes off!

In England's green and pleasant land, the blossoming romance between Tom and Joanna, two shy, aimless, post-school pre-university teens, is rocked by the sudden suicide of Joanna's father. Together, along with newly widowed mother Helen, they must keep calm and carry on by any means necessary whilst hamstrung by innate stoicism, solitude and silence. Can't Complain is a brand new electropop audio-drama musical that captures a yearlong exploration of grief and loss, love and light, isolation and community seen through the eyes of a makeshift family unit living in the leafy but lifeless British countryside.

Hot off of the high heels of a successful farewell tour in New Zealand. The iconic Drag Race Down Under star, Ivanna Drink, has arrived and is ready to take the UK by storm. Presenting Ivanna Drink: From Down Under to Downing Street. Join Ivanna for a one hour spectacular cabaret show inspired by the journey of her drag career that's shaped her into the drag legend on Aucklands K Road that we all know and love today. There'll be laughs, chats, meet and greets available and of course drag shows!

This powerful tale explores the interplay between fate and human kindness, highlighting the good in people and the role of chance in shaping our lives. Domino is a powerful narrative set in Rochdale, inspired by real-life incidents that follow John's journey through a series of challenges. This poignant tale explores themes of community, cultural heritage, resilience, and compassion, highlighting the struggles of individuals in society. While rooted in a local context, the essence of "Domino" resonates globally, emphasising the importance of human decency, empathy, and the need to support those facing extreme hardships. Join us as we bring this compelling story to life, sparking reflection and conversation about the human experience. This production deals with sensitive themes, including suggestions of suicide intent, which may be triggering for some audience members. If you need support, details of local charities and resources will be provided on the evening of the performance.

"The most renowned sketch troupe of them all" (Independent) present one hour of brand-new sketch comedy written by the country's finest up-and-coming young comedians. 'Fragile Contents' is a sketch show about falling apart (because we can all feel a little fragile, can't we?) Prepare for blood, crises, and a good few belly laughs... The Cambridge Footlights are the world-famous student comedy society who first aired the talents of some of the foremost British comedians and actors. Run time - 1hr

DHP Family Presents: The Magic Mod Presented by DHP FAMILY. 14+ (under 16s to be accompanied by an adult 18+)

When Adam and Luke agree to meet, there are myriad reasons their relationship, whatever this is, shouldn't work. However, over that first cup of peppermint tea, we see the spiralling story of this unlikely duo ask questions about love, identity and how exactly to pronounce the name of the drag queen ‘Courtney Act’. Man-meat meets mental health in this dark comedy. In a dark corner of the internet, two men find each other. They meet in a coffee shop, chat, make plans… Think you know where this story is going? Think again. Using a queer lens to reimagine one of the most shocking crimes in modern memory, Some Masterchef Sht eats taboo for dinner (literally!) as it examines the idea of living life by default in a fast, funny and tender story between two men, struggling to exist.

An island off the coast of Ireland. A last minute casting decision. A grave mistake... Carter, a gifted but volatile director, has found the perfect location to shoot his low budget zombie movie, -set during the Irish famine: a country house on a remote island off the coast of Mayo. With only three days to shoot and facing the sudden departure of his lead actor, Carter is forced to make a crucial decision abandon the film or take a chance casting the mysterious Vardell, an actor with a shadowy past but extraordinary talent. As the cameras roll, unnerving events and eerie occurrences hint at something much darker beneath the surface and Carter becomes increasingly suspicious that his decision may have been a grave mistake... Revenant is a visceral, frightening theatrical experience, marrying elements of horror and suspense with deliciously dark comedy in a reflection on the choices we make in pursuit of success. Blackly comic and genuinely scary. Winner of the Best Production Award at the Buxton Fringe Festival 2023. Patrick ODonnells performance earned him a Best Actor nomination at both the Manchester Fringe 2021 and the Buxton Fringe 2023. Revenant was also Nominated for the Stewart Parker Trust Award.

Join author C.K (Caimh) McDonnell for the official launch of the next Stranger Times book Ring the Bells in Manchester. This isn't just a book launch; it's an experience designed for fans of the series. Caimh will be joined by narrator extraordinaire Brendan McDonald. The event itself will consist of: - Q&A: Caimh will be joined on stage by Brendan, and they'll interview each other and answer questions from the audience. It is sure to be as hilarious as it will be informative. - Stranger Times Quiz: A quiz where you work out which weird news stories are real, and which are made up by Caimh. The quiz has been a favourite of the Jason Manford Show on Absolute Radio for several years now. You'll get the chance to play it live! - An exclusive Stranger Times performance: Enjoy the world premiere of a special Stranger Times piece that Caimh has written especially for the occasion. It will be performed live on stage by a trio of actors. - Exclusive Early Access: Get your hardback copy of Ring the Bells four days earlier than it will be available in the shops and get it signed by Caimh on the night. About the book: Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas . . . For most people, that means a time of celebration, relaxation and inebriation, but not for the staff ofThe Stranger Times.While a book club meeting ending in a triple murder isnt unprecedented, it is at least noteworthy. It quickly emerges that this is no ordinary book-club-triple-murder either, as it features a librarian possessed by a chaotic entity who has broken through from another dimension and is hellbent on vengeance. Hes made a list, but hes not checking it twice as the whole of humanity is on it. Who would want to summon such a thing? And how is anyone going to be able to send it back? As if that wasnt enough to be dealing with, a shocking revelation about a member ofThe Stranger Timesteams past brings family together, but not in a way thats ever going to make it into a Hallmark movie. Featuring demonically possessed Santas, blood-thirsty books and the ghost of a legendary nightclub, its beginning to look a lot like a Christmas apocalypse . . .