Stars come HOME for opening night

BURY-BORN movie director Danny Boyle is to host one of May’s opening weekend events at HOME, Manchester’s new international arts centre.

The film, theatre and opera director — who found new fame as the man behind the London Olympics opening ceremony in 2012 — is a patron of the new centre, along with Oldham’s former Corrie star and half of ITV’s “Scott and Bailey” detective team, Suranne Jones, as well as several other city-related arts luminaries.

HOME is the multi-million-pound replacement for the former city-centre library theatre and the arts and cinema complex Cornerhouse.

On May 21 Boyle will lead a “Funfair Fanfare” culminating in a volley of percussive fireworks that will ring the new centre at the First Street complex — opposite the old Hacienda nightclub — to herald HOME’s arrival.

The funfair theme marks the centre’s first theatre production, the world premiere of The Funfair by acclaimed, Stockport-raised playwright Simon Stephens — the man who also adapted the internationally-acclaimed National Theatre production “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time”.

Music and performances from carnival troupe Juba do Leao will build a party atmosphere as visitors are welcomed in to explore the complex’s new theatre, cinema and gallery spaces.

The rest of the weekend will have a funfair theme, Interactive film screenings, chat show-style discussions, live music and other family-friendly activities for the bank holiday weekend.

The new centre’s chief executive is Mossley’s Dave Moutrey, who began his career as an Oldham primary school teacher before moving into arts management.

Dave said of the opening weekend: “We want everyone to feel welcome in our new HOME, and that’s what this weekend is all about.

“In addition to the bold international contemporary art, theatre and film for which we’re known, the HOME-warming will see a host of activities for all the family, both in the centre and in the surrounding streets. It’ll be five-day celebration that’s fun, informal and friendly. Welcome to HOME.”