Manchester International Festival 2017

Summary

Thank you for joining us this last 18 days and for making the festival a success. Scroll back to remember some of the higlights of MIF 2017 and see you in 2019!
Manchester International Festival ran from 29 June and 16 July 2017
Talk to us @mifestival on twitter & mcrintfestival on Facebook

Live Reporting

the Manchester International Festival team

Watch the harshest critics judge brand new opera BambinOpublished at 11:14 BST 5 July 2017
BambinO

It's Wednesday morning, it's the middle of the week - you need to see babies watching opera.
Take a look at the world's tiniest audience members getting fully involved in BambinO - a brand new opera created especially for babies. Not by babies. That's very important to make clear.
Media caption,
BambinO is a pioneering piece of music theatre aimed at babies.
This gorgeous show is a wonderful introduction to theatre for babies aged 6-18 months - with soft play areas, enchanting colours as well as glorious music. And it's just as much of a treat for their lucky grownups too.
Learn more about BambinO, external
Play our first ever game commission right nowpublished at 10:30 BST 5 July 2017
Lost Memories Dot Net

Portland-based sensational game designer Nina Freeman has created a game especially for MIF - exploring personal identity, privacy, and invoking the hazy blogging days of the early 2000s.
It's charming, beautiful and thoroughly lovely to play, so we recommend you do that thing right now, external.
Media caption,
Lostmemories.net: a new game commission for #mif17 from Nina Freeman
What's on tomorrow - theatre, music, puppetry and politicspublished at 21:32 BST 4 July 2017
Your guide to Wednesday

Image source, MIF
Before we kick back in beautiful Festival Square for an evening of live music and DJ sets, we're determined to be your spiritual guide for the coming day.
So, for anarchic theatre lovers among you, we've got the real-life world premiere of the democracy-smashing Returning To Reims, external as well as the hotly anticipated What If Women Ruled The World?, external Both are their very first performances, so get them while their fresh.
For families, you can see The Welcoming Party , external- tales of a journey for home including music and puppetry - alongside BambinO, external: an opera created especially for babies.
In terms of the evening's music, there is really only one option: Sampha Sisay, external is coming to the Albert Hall - he's collaborated with everyone from Frank Ocean to Solage, and we can't wait to have him here in the city.
This YouTube post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on YouTube
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. YouTube content may contain adverts.
Skip youtube video
Allow YouTube content?
This article contains content provided by Google YouTube. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Google’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. YouTube content may contain adverts.
End of youtube video
That's all for today! See you tomorrow!
Into tech-topia with Holly Herndon: gallerypublished at 21:00 BST 4 July 2017
Dark Matter: Holly Herndon

We've got the shots from the sensational Holly Herndon gig at Gorilla - if you find yourself yearning for a glorious music and light show, we've got Paleman coming up this Thursday, external - think jazz drumming and pioneering electronica.
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
"Loud souls and great ambitions" What If Teenage Girls Ruled The World?published at 20:35 BST 4 July 2017
#creative50

Image source, MIF
Curated and originated by our brilliant local artists Jenny Gaskell and Anna Horton, What If Teenage Girls Ruled The World is a new manifesto written by and for teenage girls
It lays out exactly how teen girls believe they should be respected, as well as the values they stand for. Inspired by What If Women Ruled The World? this manifesto and workshop series was created to support a group of women who are often told what to do – by family, school and the media. It's is time to write their own rules. #TeenGirlTakeover

This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
Credit: @JenniferGaskell & @AnnaKHorton
What Is The City But The Worker?published at 20:18 BST 4 July 2017
#creative50

Local artist Amrit Randhawa has created a digital zine in response to our opening spectacular What Is The City But The People?
This Instagram post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on Instagram
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip instagram post
Allow Instagram content?
This article contains content provided by Instagram. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read Meta’s Instagram cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of instagram post
Quote Message
It's made up of photographs of workers in Piccadilly Gardens during the opening event. Shot on 35mm film, the photographs have been then scanned and blurred, this is so one could find familiarity within the images and show as workers and people we are all synonymous.
Amrit Randhawa,, #creative50
website : taxicabindustri.es/, external
instagram : @amritrandhawa
Holding a mirror to the modern world - 2 vital shows opening tomorrowpublished at 18:48 BST 4 July 2017
What If Women Ruled The World & Returning To Reims

Theatre has that amazing power to seize what's going on right now, and present it to you in a way that electrifies you. We have two shows opening tomorrow that hope to do just that.
What If Women Ruled The World?
Image source, MIF
At the end of Dr Strangelove, Stanley Kubrick foresaw a post-apocalyptic future in which men would repopulate the Earth. This project presents the opposite scenario, placing women in charge of a world in desperate need of a new vision.
In a war room, a group of 11 women will be confronted by some of the urgent crises of our time. Each night, a professional cast will be joined on stage by a different group of female experts: scientists, politicians, activists and thinkers of global reputation. Together they will spend the evening trying to solve the global emergency as the clock ticks. What solutions will be uncovered?
There's only one way to find out...
Learn more about What If Women Ruled The World?, external
Returning To Reims
Image source, MIF
Conceived just after Donald Trump's election win last November, Returning To Reims is a blistering examination of democracy, political morality and where our beliefs currently lie - starring Nina Hoss, of Homeland fame.
Reading the book the piece is based on, Hoss said:
Quote Message
It tried to address all the questions we are grappling with. What is going on with this generation of ours? Do we still believe in democracy? If we do, is that belief reawakening or dying? Do we still know how to organise ourselves to have influence on a political scale? And are we really interested and patient enough to get involved – or did we unlearn that in the 90s because we believed our parents had paved us a path to prosperity?”
Nina Hoss, Returning To Reims
Hinting at explanations for Brexit, Trump and Marie Le Penn, it combines theatre, video, live narration and adaptation to ask uncomfortable questions of a very troubling time.
Learn more about Returning To Reims, external
Listen to the final part of One Of Two Stories, Or Both - 6:30pmpublished at 18:18 BST 4 July 2017
Samon Young's 5-part live radio series concludes

Listen to the concluding part of Samson Young's surreal, ethereal and beautiful tales of mythical journeys right here at 6:30pm., external
If you'd like to catch up with parts 1-4, you can see them all in the carousel above. Enjoy!
Image source, MIF
MIF GIF a daypublished at 17:14 BST 4 July 2017
#creative50
Tara Collette
MIF17 Creative 50

Today's beautiful GIF centres around our Joy Division and New Order exhibition True Faith:
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
All created by #creative50 artist Tara Collette, you can see the series grow right here, external
Dogs of Festival Squarepublished at 16:36 BST 4 July 2017
We know what you really want to see

With so much happening across the festival, it's easy to forget the most important thing of all: photos of great dogs.
We begin our collection right here, courtesy of #creative50 mentor Christian Payne and The Mancorialist - but we need you to help us. Tweet us @MIFestival with the hashtag #dogsofMIF if you see a great hound across the festival - it's what we all came here to see, after all.
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
Final preview for Fatherland tonight - audience reactionspublished at 16:24 BST 4 July 2017
Fatherland

Tonight is the final Fatherland preview before it launches full swing into its run- and we've been bowled over by the reaction.
Exploring home, masculinity, what it means to be both a father and son - Fatherland , externalis an utterly original and totally unique look at family in the modern day.
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 2
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 2
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 3
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 3
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 4
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 4
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 5
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 5
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 6
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 6
Dark Matter: the story so farpublished at 16:06 BST 4 July 2017
The gigs we've had, and the gigs to come

Mary Anne Hobbs has curated a pioneering series of gigs across The Ritz and Gorilla, delivering some of the most amazing new artists from across the world. So, who have we seen so far?
Levelz:
First, we had the awesome energy of the 14-piece Levelz - who overwhelmed Gorilla with their mix of House, Rock, R&B and Electronic (finishing with a brilliant rendition of the Home & Away soundtrack, obviously)
Media caption,
MIF took LEVELZ on a Concorde ahead of their show at Gorilla.
Holly Herndon
And then we welcoming the queen of pioneering electronica to the stage, Holly Herndon, fresh off a tour with Radiohead
Media caption,
Dark Matter: Holly Herndon
And what's next? We have another coming up this very Thursday, you lucky things:
Media caption,
Dark Matter: Paleman
Learn more about Paleman and the Dark Matter series., external
And we have plenty more where they came from. Stay tuned as we announce more amazing evenings courtesy of Radio 6 legend Mary Anne Hobbs - and get ready to party.
Invisible Giant hit Festival Square this afternoonpublished at 15:36 BST 4 July 2017
Ethereal indie folk - what's not to like?

Don't forget, we have plenty of free live music going on in Albert Square, external - at 5:30pm today we welcome Indie Folk band Invisible Giant to join us - why not pop down, grab a drink and take them in?
Alternatively, you can check them out right here, via Soundcloud:
Family show The Welcoming Party opens tonight!published at 15:10 BST 4 July 2017
Exploring migrant stories through immersive performance and puppetry

Our immersive family show The Welcoming Party opens tonight , externalat 7pm - promising stories of home, travel and love perfect for kids and big kids alike.
A few audience members have been lucky enough to attend rehearsals, and this is what they had to say:
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 2
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 2
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 3
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 3
This X post cannot be displayed in your browser. Please enable Javascript or try a different browser.View original content on X
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
Skip X post 4
Allow X content?
This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read X’s cookie policy, external and privacy policy, external before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites.
End of X post 4
Media caption,
Come give a warm welcome to some new arrivals in this inspiring immersive show
Listen to 'Machines That our Buildings Used To Hear'published at 14:47 BST 4 July 2017
Composer Matthew Herbert speaks to Mary Anne Hobbs on 6 Music

Matthew Herbert was commissioned as part of our beautiful Music For A Busy City series to create a piece of music in response to Manchester's Great Northern Building - taking into account what the building used to be, and what it is now:
Quote Message
It's the musical equivalent of a ghost story where you hear the sounds of the machines that would have been in the building originally
Matthew Herbert, Music For A Busy City
Media caption,
Matthew Herbert on a piece of music he has created, inspired by the sounds of Manchester.
The world is ending... so let's party?published at 14:12 BST 4 July 2017
Martinis, make-shift weapons and, well, Nirvana

Ever wondered how to play Smells Like Teen Spirit on the guitar? Luckily, before the world ends, you might just get the chance.
Learn more in this exclusive clip with Party Skills At The End Of The World , externalperformers, and have a think for yourself - if the world was ending, what would you want to learn?
Quote Message
Learn how to make snares, make arrow-heads out of spoons, learn how to dance
Nigel Barrett, Party Skills For The End Of The World
Media caption,
What skills might you need for a party at the end of the world?
Tilda Swinton narrates a new film and live scorepublished at 13:41 BST 4 July 2017
With the BBC Philharmonic at the Bridgewater Hall

Image source, MIF
Oscar- nominated composer Jóhann Jóhannsson brings a blistering reflection on love, loss and utopia with his new film Last and First Men - narrated by everyone's favourite ethereal monument, Tilda Swinton.
Based on the cult novel by British science fiction writer Olaf Stapledon, Last and First Men blurs the boundary between fiction and documentary. The work sets images of a futuristic yet decaying monumental landscape, beautifully filmed in 16mm black and white in the former Yugoslav republics.
It's only here for one night, on the 6th July, so find out more now., external
Transforming APIs into artpublished at 13:19 BST 4 July 2017
#creative50
Sarah Ing
MIF17 Creative 50

One of our local artists, Sarah Ing, created a light installation using social media information from the 2015 festival - creating a light that acts as a ghost of emotions left behind.
Quote Message
I reimagined the idea of past stories through one lone storyteller - a left behind lamp. The lamp, a singular object in an empty room, tells the story of past tales, with tweets from the last festival. Using the Philips Hue lightbulb and the Hue API, I programmed the light to deliberately change colour with the sentiment, in tandem with a projection of words from the tweets. Each colour symbolises a different emotion -- blue hues for negative emotions, yellow for the positive ones.
Sarah Ing, #creative50
Image source, MIF
Image source, MIF
http://sarahikeda.github.io, external
@Sarah_Ing
New family shows to see this weekpublished at 12:29 BST 4 July 2017
Looking for something to take the wee ones to?

We're firing our way into week 2, and there's plenty more new things to see, especially if you're looking for family events. So, how can you keep the little ones quiet this week?
BambinO
Image source, MIF
A world premiere of an opera created especially for 6-18 month olds, BambinO combines colourful characters, soft play and music perfectly pitched for their tiniest audience members.
Learn more about Bambino, external
The Welcoming Party
Media caption,
Come give a warm welcome to some new arrivals in this inspiring immersive show
A fully immersive, musical show including puppetry and performance, The Welcoming Party is a family show that explores journeys, togetherness and what it is to be home.
Learn more about The Welcoming Party, external
Festival Square
Image source, MIF
The hub of all our activity, Festival Square (AKA Albert Square) is packed with activities, performances, music and food, perfect for kids and big kids alike. Take a stroll down in the sun, and see what awaits.
Learn more about Festival Square, external
"The song cycle is not a plain setting - it's more of a portrait of the man himself"published at 11:59 BST 4 July 2017
Composer Raymond Yiu on getting to the bottom of Anthony Burgess

Tonight, world-renown composer Raymond Yui brings his utterly unique portrait of author, composer and creator of A Clockwork Orange Anthony Burgess to the Manchester Bridgewater Hall.
Burgess is obviously famous for his writing, but he was also a passionate composer - an obsession that he reluctantly set aside as his writing became more popular.
Quote Message
‘I have practised all my life the arts of literary and musical composition - the latter chiefly as an amateur, since economic need has forced me to spend most of my time producing fiction and literary journalism.’
Anthony Burgess
In his song-cycle, Raymond Yiu attempts to get to the bottom of Burgess himself, having devoured his biographies and autobiographical work
Quote Message
It takes a while to find the real person, as a lot of Burgess’s autobiographical writing is almost fictional. But that’s what makes his books so interesting: the imagination and the deceit in the books bleed into real life and vice versa.
Ramond Yiu, Composer, The World Was Once All Miracle
Media caption,
Manchester International Festival catches up with composer Raymond Yiu
This unique show is here for one night only tonight at the Bridgewater Hall, and you can learn more here, external.