Bricks; Gala Night -
Tony Walsh launches his brand new poem
'These Bricks; They Speak'
Manchester poet, Tony Walsh, pens brand new poem as anthem for 53two, to garner support for the arts charity. The bespoke poem for the independent theatre, shines a light on the industrious history of the city’s inhabitants and the new hive of creativity that nestles beneath the very bricks that our past is built on. ‘THESE BRICKS, THEY SPEAK’ will be used as the charity’s anthem and will launch brand new show ‘BRICKS’, beneath the arches.
‘BRICKS’; a production from Red Brick Theatre Company, will showcase talent in writers, directors and actors from across Greater Manchester and is the first of what they hope to be many incarnations.
On the 24th March, 53two Patron Tony Walsh, will present the poem at a Gala Launch Night in the 150 seater theatre, as a curtain raiser to ‘BRICKS’. The poem, which has never been performed before, is the perfect frame for the festival of new writing.
‘The arches have quickly become a diverse, welcoming and supportive home for many different communities that make up the Manchester scene.
I’ve been looking for a way to help and I was delighted when some lines for a 53Two poem started to come to me. I’ve used the beautiful brickwork and structure of these historic arches as metaphors for strength and unity and tried to celebrate those qualities and use them to inspire even more artistry and history-making into the future.
I can’t wait for people to hear the poem and I very much hope that it will inspire people, raise awareness and help with further all-important fundraising efforts. Do come take a listen, check out the venue and get involved!’ - Tony Walsh, Poet
Recently, registered charity 53two received a grant from long-term supporters, Backstage Trust, to part-fund the installation of a Changing Places toilet. The facility with hoist and changing bed, to be named the Freedom Suite, will provide severely disabled patrons the chance to visit the venue and indeed the city, without fear of having to return home when needing the toilet. It will also allow those actors who require it to change costumes, shower etc. and a chance to perform on stage, where previously this may not have been an option. Prints of Tony’s poem will be sold and auctioned, which they hope will raise the remainder needed to complete the build.
‘There are only three other Changing Places facilities in the city centre – one is currently closed. They are a necessary facility not just at the theatre but for every visitor to Manchester. We’re eternally grateful for the grant from Backstage Trust and with Tony’s undying support we can’t wait to complete the build on the Freedom Suite. Raising the money via art seems to be the perfect option.’
– Simon Naylor, Creative Director, 53two.
We'd love you to join us for the Gala Night performance of 'Bricks' and to witness the first EVER airing of this incredible new poem, set to become the words that will live with us in the arches, for evermore.
Included in the ticket you'll get a glass of Prosecco, live music, see Tony Walsh deliver his brand new poem LIVE, a ticket to see the 6 short plays and first 'dibs' on one of the exclusive, signed screen-prints of 'These Bricks; They Speak'.
£15 (£2 Unwaged Tix Available)
Friday 24th
7:00pm