Manchester International Festival 2019

Summary

Join us live at MIF19
We’ll be bringing you all the action as it unfolds over 18 extraordinary days
Find out more including the full festival programme at mif.co.uk
Join us on Twitter and Instagram @MIFestival

Live Reporting

Studio Creole under discussion at Interdependencepublished at 11:20 BST 13 July 2019
The Albert Hall welcomes Studio Creole.

We now have Hans Ulrich Obrist in conversation with Patrick Chamoiseau and Alejandro Zambra at Interdependence, discussing their use and exploration of language in relationship to their ongoing festival work, Studio Creole, external:
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
A round of applause for translator Claudia Bragman, doing a perfect job of merging many languages into understandable form - this is really the essence of what Studio Creole is about, more info here, external.
Ngugi Wa Thiong'o in conversation with Lemn Sissaypublished at 11:00 BST 13 July 2019
Interdependence begins at the Albert Hall

Good morning!
We're in attendance this morning at the second instalment of MIF's summit series - Interdependence, external.
Opening this morning's session is Manchester hero (and sterling Boris Johnson impersonator) Lemn Sissay in conversation with Ngugi Wa Thiong'o, external, discussing their views on language within the context of Ngugi's incredible body of work spanning fifty years:
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
Day 9 - done!published at 21:51 BST 12 July 2019
We're halfway through and not slowing down

What a day that was. If you've been with us for the last few hours you'll have seen Ivo Van Hove's incredible one-off performance of Re:Creating Europe , externalat The Lowry, the audience loved it (standing ovation!) and we did too.
Image source, MIF
Image caption,
A standing ovation for Re:Creating Europe
Laurie Anderson's To The Moon, external opened today, and by all accounts is stellar - pun entirely intended:
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
The weekend is of course upon us, so we pulled together a handy one-stop guide to everything the festival has in store.
Tomorrow we'll be back at it for the second Interdependence, external session, this time at the lovely Albert Hall, along with a whole weekends' worth of exciting surprises. We'll be back tomorrow!
Re:Creating Europe - where to next?published at 21:38 BST 12 July 2019
A look at other theatre works at MIF19

If you enjoyed Re:Creating Europe, you're in for a treat at MIF19 - our schedule is packed full of innovative stage work that we're sure you'll love.
Image source, MIF
Image caption,
The Nico Project
Maxine Peake's The Nico Project, external runs until Sunday:
With text by award-winning playwright EV Crowe and music by acclaimed composer Anna Clyne, The Nico Project brings us closer to the ghosts that haunted Nico and the devastating past that shaped her, and celebrates the potency of female creativity in a field dominated by men.
Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Invisible Cities at MIF19
The amazing Invisible Cities, external continues its festival run, an immersive experience on a grand scale at the iconic Mayfield Depot. Unmissable!
Centred on the edgy relationship between Kublai Khan, the volatile head of a vast empire, and explorer Marco Polo, who must transcend a language barrier to describe it for him, this spellbinding mix of theatre, choreography, music, architectural design and projection mapping imagines a succession of alternative worlds – and reimagines what is possible in live performance.
Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Tao of Glass at MIF19
Philip Glass and Phelim McDermott have just opening their new collaboration Tao of Glass, external:
Inspired by a dream, this world premiere marries ten meditations on life, death and Taoist wisdom with ten brand new pieces of music from Glass, presented by McDermott with an ensemble of musicians and puppeteers. Part-concert, part-performance, Tao of Glass is a storytelling tapestry, soundtracked by Glass’s mesmerising music and shot through with Improbable’s trademark theatricality.
And of course, Ivo Van Hove's other MIF19 production, The Fountainhead, external is open until tomorrow.
The crowd are on their feetpublished at 21:31
Re:Creating Europe closes to a standing ovation!

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
The performers take a bow on stage at The Lowry
What a show. Enormous congratulations to Ivo Van Hove and the performers tonight for a brilliant and timely production of this ever-changing project.
Christopher Eccleston reads... Bonopublished at 21:27
Sentences I never thought I'd type.

Image source, MIF19
Image caption,
Christopher Eccleston reads the words of Bono
Quote Message
Can we get put our hearts into this struggle? There may be no romance to a “project” or sexiness in a bureaucracy, but as the great Simone Veil 31 said, ‘Europe is the grand design of the 21st century’. Its values and aspirations make Europe so much more than just a geography. They go to the core of who we are as human beings, and who we want to be. That idea of Europe deserves songs written about it, and big bright blue flags to be waved about.
Bono, Musician
John Donne's poetry within Re:Creating Europepublished at 21:23 BST 12 July 2019

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
John Donne's poetry in Re:Creating Europe
Quote Message
No man is an island, entire of itself. Every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main. If a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less.
John Donne, Poet
The words of Joachim Gauck on immigrationpublished at 21:09 BST 12 July 2019

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Joachim Gauck's words spoken at MIF
Quote Message
A society which regards itself as a community of solidarity will act in a spirit of solidarity in relation to refugees, too. If we were to shirk this obligation, it might or indeed surely would bring some financial gain. But we would be losing something of great value – namely our respect for ourselves, our sense of being at ease with ourselves.
Joachim Gauck, Politician, civiil rights activist
The words of Emmanuel Macronpublished at 21:07 BST 12 July 2019
At Re:Creating Europe

Quote Message
We have to stand firm, proud and lucid, in the face of this manipulation and say first of all what Europe is. It is a historic success: the reconciliation of a devastated continent is an unprecedented project of peace, prosperity and freedom. Let’s never forget that.
Emmanuel Macron, Politician
Out of nowhere... an angry Slowthai songpublished at 21:02 BST 12 July 2019

....set over footage of John Bercow shouting.
Perfect, really.
Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Slowthai music playing over footage of Bercow
Yes, that Slowthai, external. If you missed the reference, the title of Slowthai's blistering latest album is Nothing Great About Britain. Topical.
Lemn Sissay does an amazing Boris Johnson impressionpublished at 20:58 BST 12 July 2019
Who knew?

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Lemn Sissay on stage at MIF19
The words of François Mitterrandpublished at 20:57 BST 12 July 2019
At Re:Creating Europe

Quote Message
We have to defeat these prejudices. What I'm asking of you here is almost impossible, because we have to defeat our past. And yet, if we don't defeat it, it must be known that one rule will prevail, Ladies and Gentlemen. Nationalism is war!
François Mitterrand, Politician
Lemn Sissay reads as Churchillpublished at 20:53 BST 12 July 2019
at Re:Creating Europe

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Lemn Sissay reads Churchill
Quote Message
The structure of the United States of Europe will be such as to make the material strength of a single State less important. Small nations will count as much as large ones and gain their honour by a contribution to the common cause.
Winston Churchill
Re:Creating Europe - tweet of the daypublished at 20:49 BST 12 July 2019
The Ivo Van Hove bingo card

We're not sure what else to say, really.
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
Adjoa Andoh reads the words of David Lammypublished at 20:45 BST 12 July 2019
At Re:Creating Europe

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Adjoa Andoh speaks at MIF
Quote Message
The audacious idea of European integration was motivated by fear. But it was made possible by shared ideals. Democracy. Human Rights. Equality. Freedom. And a refusal to submit to the tyranny of fascism, ever again.
David Lammy, Politician
Christopher Eccleston reads Goethepublished at 20:40 BST 12 July 2019
At Re:Creating Europe

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Christopher Eccleston reads at Re:Creating Europe
Quote Message
Your inner lives are not disturbed by useless memories and vain strife. Use your time with confidence! And if your children write poetry, may a kindly fate guard them from writing stories of knights, robbers and ghosts.
Johann Wolfgang Goethe
Lemn Sissay reads at Re:Creating Europepublished at 20:36 BST 12 July 2019
The words of Winston Churchill

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Lemn Sissay at Re:Creating Europe
Quote Message
We must all turn our backs upon the horrors of the past and look to the future. We cannot afford to drag forward across the years to come hatreds and revenges which have sprung from the injuries of the past
Winston Churchill
The words of Victor Hugo at Re:Creating Europepublished at 20:32 BST 12 July 2019

Image source, MIF
Image caption,
Words written by Victor Hugo
Quote Message
A day will come when bullets and bombs are replaced by votes. We must love each other!
Victor Hugo, Poet and novelist
Michael Morpurgo on the future of the EUpublished at 20:27 BST 12 July 2019

Quote Message
Go on as we are, and things will fall apart. The centre will not hold. The EU must reinvent itself, reform itself, if it is to survive. Let her shake the ashes from her wings, and fly.
Quote Message
The spirit of the mothers and fathers who lived through the horrors of war, will fade and die, if Europe dies. We must not let that happen.
Michael Morpurgo
Michael Morpurgo on Europepublished at 20:26 BST 12 July 2019

Sir Michael Morpurgo examines the present state of the UK and the EU:
Quote Message
The divide between those who have, and who have not, is shamefully wide.
Quote Message
The rise of populism is no coincidence. The European Union has forgotten it's roots, the very reason for it's existence
Michael Morpurgo