More new writing at 53two

The latest premiere at 53two - Manchester's under the railway-arches venue - is Ballai (Walls), by Kelsea Knox (April 15-17). Set against the backdrop of Belfast in 1969, this one-woman play follows a young woman reliving the night she falls in love and the moment she realises love, in the wrong hands, can become a weapon.

Kelsea said: "I wanted to bring a touch of Irish storytelling to Manchester, something rooted in voice, rhythm and the kind of stories that feel passed-down, rather than written. There’s a warmth and honesty in Irish storytelling that lingers, where humour and heartbreak sit side by side, and that’s what I’ve tried to capture here - offering a slice of home, shared in a new place.

"With its brick archways and rich sense of history, the 53two carries the weight of countless stories. It’s a space where new voices feel held by the past—where, if the walls could talk, they’d welcome another story into the fold."

The independent theatre venue specialises in new writing, and puts accessibility at the heart of everything it does - including physical access to the building and British Sign Language interpretation. The theatre offers affordable and unwaged tickets and even gluten free options at the bar.

More info and tickets here