53two
{{Short description|Theatre}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox Theatre
|name = 53two
|image =
|caption =
|address = Arch 19, Watson St
|city = Manchester, {{postcode|M|3}}
|country = United Kingdom
|designation =
|coordinates = {{coord|53.47570739336953|-2.2491609871454252|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|architect = Kerr Interiors, CODA Studios
|owner =
|capacity = 150 seats
|type = Fringe theatre
|opened = {{Start date and age|df=y|2016}}
|yearsactive =
|rebuilt =
|closed =
|othernames = MAP Productions
|production = New writing
|currentuse = Theatre
|publictransit ={{rint|gb|Rail}} {{rint|manchester}} {{rws|Deansgate}}
|website = [https://www.53two.com 53two.com]
}}
53two is a theatre located under in the Grade II* listed arches under Manchester Central Convention Centre in Manchester, England. It is part of the Greater Manchester Small Venues Network, alongside the Hope Mill Theatre, the Edge Theatre and the Kings Arms Theatre.{{cite web|url=https://www.53two.com/gmsvn|title=GMSVN|accessdate=2023-11-10}}
History
The theatre company grew from Manchester Actors' Platform in 2016 before developing into a fully-fledged theatre and events space. The theatre was initially housed at in the old Bauer Millet garage on Albion Street, Manchester, relocating to a temporary unit on South King Street before moving into its current, fully accessible site on Watson Street in 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.53two.com/about|title=About 53two|accessdate=2023-11-10}}{{cite web|url=https://secretmanchester.com/53two-theatre-bar/|title=Secret Manchester|accessdate=2023-11-10|date=2021-05-28}} The new space was entered into the 2022 Restaurant & Bar Design Awards.{{cite web|url=https://restaurantandbardesignawards.com/entry/11462|accessdate=2023-11-10|title=53two - Restaurant & Bar Design Awards}}
53two is a registered theatre and arts charity. It hostes new writing, cultural events, drama festivals including the Off Cut Festival, and comedy shows such as XS Malarkey. It particularly aims to support local writers and disadvantaged and underserved communities.
The theatre's creative director is former Coronation Street actor Simon Naylor.{{cite web|title=Famous faces rally around Manchester theatre after it misses out on funding|url=https://themanc.com/manchester/famous-faces-rally-around-manchester-theatre-after-it-misses-out-on-funding/|date=2022-05-17|accessdate=2023-11-10}} He was nominated for I Love MCR's Community Leader Award in 2023.{{cite web|url=https://ilovemanchester.com/ilove-mcr-community-leader-award-nominees-2023|title=Meet the incredible community leaders up for an I Love MCR Award|accessdate=2023-11-10|date=2023}}
Awards
- Switch MCR won the OFFIE OffCom Award for Independent Theatre in Greater Manchester for The Other Side{{cite web|url=https://www.switchmcr.com/post/offie-award-for-the-other-side|title=OFFIE Award for The Other Side|accessdate=2023-11-10}}
- Best Small Theatre, Northern Soul Manchester Theatre Awards{{cite web|url=https://www.bigissuenorth.com/centre-stage/2022/05/blog-simon-naylor-2/|date=2022-05-20|accessdate=2023-11-10|title=Blog: Simon Naylor - Big Issue North}}
- 2018 Manchester Theatre Award nomination for Performance in a Fringe Production (Danny Solomon in Days of Wine and Roses){{cite news|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/manchester-theatre-awards-2018-nominations-14170239|publisher=Manchester Evening News|title=Manchester Theatre Awards 2018 - full nominations revealed|date=2018-01-18|accessdate=2023-11-10}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.53two.com/ 53two official site]
Category:Buildings and structures in Manchester
Category:Grade II* listed buildings in Manchester
Category:Theatres in Manchester
{{UK-theat-struct-stub}}