The brand-new stage production of New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester is embarking on a new tour this autumn and celebrates its tenth anniversary.

New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester UK Tour 2022 will open on Thursday 1 September at the Sheffield Leadmill and then go on to tour further venues nationwide, including The Met, Bury and RNCM theatre, Manchester.

The new touring production is written by Brian Gorman, produced and directed by Giles D Bastow and Sean Mason for All Roads Meet.

New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester is the story of four ordinary lads who, inspired by the punk revolution of 1970s Manchester, came together to form one of the most influential bands of all time, Joy Division. This unique production places the band within the context of Manchester’s history as a city with a vibrant reputation, setting the scene for a completely new and fascinating look at the Joy Division story.

‘Mr Manchester’ Tony Wilson guides the audience through the heart and soul of both the band and the city, introducing an array of historical figures, including Roman General Julius Agricola, Dr John Dee, Frederich Engels, Pete Shelley, and Buzzcocks!

The result is a spellbinding journey of love, passion, progress, grief, and of course music, drawing inspiration from the enigmatic lyrics of Ian Curtis, with a soundtrack featuring live performances of his most beloved tracks.

A smash hit when it debuted at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in July 2013, New Dawn Fades has toured regularly across the country, playing to capacity audiences and standing ovations.

Dates & Times

Last session: Wed 21 Sep 2022 at 8:00 PM - This event has now passed
Derby Hall @ The Met
£20.50 door / £18.50 advance / £16.50 advance concessions (inc fees)

Advance booking discount is available until 5pm on the day of the event. The discount is added during checkout.

Recommended for ages 16+. Includes sensitive subject matter including reference to suicide, violence, trauma and bereavement. Profanity throughout.

Covid Safety at The Met

This will be a full-capacity event with a non-socially distanced audience; we will however still be utilising many Covid safety measures for your safety and the safety of our staff.

Learn about our COVID safety measures

Reviews

“I was crying. It was very emotional. It captured everything perfectly. I loved it! It had everything - the music and the emotion.”

Rowetta (Happy Mondays)

“New Dawn Fades is a spellbinding and brilliant play about one of the greatest bands of all time ... I totally urge anyone left out there who believes in music to be so much more, to go and see it.”

John Robb (Louder Than War)

“An evocative piece that beautifully captures the heart and soul of Manchester in the 1970s. This is the way, step inside...”

Kevin Cummins

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