What does it mean to be a ‘child of the world’ in the UK in 2021 and what does it mean to be a citizen of Manchester? In their own words and feelings, a group of children and young people aged seven to 16-years of age vividly spell out what Manchester, their home, means to them and what evocative reminders of their own, individual heritage mean to them across four, special performances on 16 and 23 October, 12pm and 2pm at Cross Street Chapel, 29 Cross Street Manchester, M2 1NL, tickets £4.
Devised and developed by the performers themselves, Umbrellas In The Sun brings together inspirations from as far and wide as Nigeria, Ghana and Syria to speak of identity, nationhood and distinct cultures, all the while celebrating the things that unite young people beyond nationality and language. Told through dance, singing, drama and improvised performance, the journey across the world begins starts at home, in Manchester, a shared love for every young performer, the place they call home.
Supported by an experience artistic team over three, pandemic-interrupted years, the young performers’ three-part production welcomes audiences on a voyage through Africa via the street food of Cameroon and the vibrant fashions of Nigeria, back to the birdsong and raindrops of Manchester’ streets and into the hopes and aspirations of each, who, above all else, remain children and young people with dreams for their futures.
Umbrellas In The Sun gives them a voice to express, poignantly, who they are as individuals, who they are together and who they might yet become.
Initiated by Afrocats, supporting refugee and asylum seeker families in Manchester for three-decades, Umbrellas In The Sun’s workshop programme and performance opportunities have been devised to encourage social opportunities, skills development and confidence building. The project is supported by Arts Council England, Children In Need and The D'Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and in partnership with Women Asylum seekers Together, Safety4sisters, Manchester City of Sanctuary and Cross Street Chapel.