LGBTQ theatre festival ‘Turn on Fest’ to return to Manchester in January 2021

In partnership with Hope Mill Theatre and Superbia

It’s a tough time for theatres across the country, but offering a ray of rainbow light among the darkness will be the return of LGBTQ theatre festival Turn On Fest in 2021.

The Manchester festvial, created by Hope Mill Theatre and queer arts programme Superbia, will be back next January to explore gender, sexuality and identity following a successful launch earlier this year, with both live and digital offerings to cater to everyone in these unprecedented times.

Featuring music, dance and theatre over two weeks, Hope Mill Theatre will also be offering four local LGBTQ artists the chance to see their work brought to life through their development grant, with applications now open.

Joseph Houston, Artistic Director of Hope Mill Theatre, says: “At the beginning of 2020 we were delighted to launch Turn On Fest and offer a platform and opportunity for queer artists and work within the North West.

“We would never have imagined that the festival would have been Hope Mill Theatres only self-produced work for almost 7 months.

“We are so thrilled to be able to bring Turn On Fest 2021 after such a successful launch which saw many North West artists supported through development grants and offered a varied and diverse programme of work for our audiences and the LGBTQIA+ community.

“We also can’t wait to work with the team at Superbia at Manchester Pride once again. 

Mark Fletcher, CEO for Manchester Pride, said: “I am really pleased that we are able to make this announcement. Turn On Fest is a really important part of our calendar of events for Superbia and it is so important that we are able to work with the team at Hope Mill again to provide a platform for LGBTQ+ talent whilst also offering something to entertain our audiences.”

The full programme of events for Turn On Fest is set to be announced over the coming weeks.