Tales of the Unexpected

Hen's Teeth invite you to explore the unexpected side of John Rylands Library using Performance, Music and Installation Art.

Cross arts collective Hen’s Teeth Theatre will be bringing their unique, immersive take on contemporary theatre to one of Manchester’s most beautiful and unusual spaces with the first ever performance of their site-specific production Tales of the Unexpected at The John Rylands Library, Deansgate, on Saturday, 28th August.

The intimate theatrical experience will allow participants to take their own magical journey through the library, moving through and interacting with dramatic pieces of installation art, encountering strange scenes and mysterious characters, venturing into parts of the library usually inaccessible to members of the public and exploring the history of the library and its founder, the enigmatic Mrs Rylands.

The performance will span many areas of the library, taking you from the dramatic Historic Reading Room, to the eerie gloom of the stacks, from the quiet of the bible collection to the ornate period toilets! Each of these spaces – and many more – will contain special, site-specific experiences, leading inexorably to a dramatic climax.

The John Rylands Library houses some of the most significant books and manuscripts ever produced and Tales of the Unexpected explores this historic collection – with scenes inspired by the library’s magnificent collection of bibles, their scientific collection, the work of Elizabeth Gaskell and many more.

The theatrical experience will feature a range of actors as well as music composed by the Northern College of Music graduates Helen Temperley and played by Celia McGoldrick, Owen Hewson, Holly Marland, Doug Badger and Owain Roberts and visual and installation art by Elizabeth Milner, Natalie Ellet and Anna Jones.

Hen’s Teeth founder Ellie Griffiths said: “Tales of the Unexpected brings together a wide range of different art forms and exciting artists to create a theatrical experience like no other. The John Rylands Library, Deansgate, is one of Manchester’s architectural gems and is perfect for this kind of event, with a rich history and lots of unknown nooks and crannies – many of which are out of bounds to the everyday visitor.

“The story of Mrs Rylands is both fascinating and incredibly moving  - Tales of the Unexpected tells her story and that of the library but also encourages participants to take their own journey through the space and experience the diverse range of installations and performances that will be taking place.”

There will be two performances of Tales of the Unexpected at 6pm and 8pm on Saturday, 28th August. Each performance lasts for an hour. Tickets for the event are free but the event is currently fully subscribed – please ring 0161 3060555 if you wish to attend to see if there are any returns.