M6 theatre celebrates 30 years

Date published: 13/11/2007

Award Winning Children’s Theatre Company, M6, celebrates 30 Years of success at a special event in the Urbis, Manchester on Friday 23 November, 2007.

Founded in 1977, M6 Theatre Company is based in Rochdale and is acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading theatre companies, specialising in creating and delivering high quality theatre for young audiences. Each year M6 reaches over 15,000 young people countrywide, with an exciting and diverse artistic and educational programme of theatre productions and workshops.

In addition to providing imaginative and stimulating performances, M6 Theatre Company is dedicated to providing theatre that aims to reflect the experiences and challenges of young people today.

Recent accolades that highlight the success of M6, include an MBE Award to M6’s Artistic Director, Dorothy Wood, in recognition of services to drama in the North West and the Company was nominated as finalist in the Art ’06 Award for "innovative, relevant and high quality theatre for young audiences". 

In its 30 years, M6 Theatre Company has brought productions, workshops and youth theatre to an incredible half a million young people, throughout the country, in venues such as theatres, schools, festivals and community centres.

M6 production highlights this season, included the award winning, Danny, King of the Basement, a play that explores the experiences of 10 year old Danny, in his new basement flat with his new friends - his eighth home (and school) in two years. This powerful performance showed how the power of creative thought and good friends can change lives. It was described in the Sheffield Star as a "Gem of a play for children that deserves to be seen by the widest possible audiences".

Early Years production, Jaz amp; Flo, was also extremely popular with M6’s younger audiences, as described by Arts Council North West in "Focusing on our Future’, "Jaz amp; Flo creates a magical place full of wonder where children can feel safe to explore and respond, to listen and feel, to sing and play, to watch and enjoy".

Actress Sue Johnson is also a patron of M6’s work and a supporter of their output, "I passionately believe theatre can make a very special contribution to children’s development. M6 excels in creating rich powerful theatre, which inspires young audiences across the North West and beyond", says Sue.

Speaking on the success of this award winning children’s theatre company, M6’s patron, Actress, Anna Friel recently stated: "Theatre isn’t only about performance, it’s about learning to work with others, discovering how to interact, developing empathy, gaining confidence, understanding a little more about the human experience. Above all, it is the chance for young people to mix with others and to produce something of which they can be proud. Well done M6, I am proud to be associated with you".

The 30th anniversary event will give an overview of M6’s productions, participation and partnership programme and will include the launch of their new book of Monologues for young people, All Talk (Aurora Press ’07). Attendees will also enjoy a buffet lunch and experience a short performance. It promises to be a celebration of the past and a launch of future plans, supported by all those who have contributed to the ongoing success of M6.