Our neighbours, Aviva Studios have officially opened their doors, with an opening production of Free Your Mind which brought a host of celebs through the door.
Aviva Studios is the UK’s largest investment into a cultural project since the Tate Modern in 2000 and is set to be a global destination for arts, music and culture at the heart of the St John’s neighbourhood.
Without a doubt you will have seen the new building or at least pictures inside it with its weird and wonderful inflatable installation which arrived in summer. The 13,350-square-meter building was designed by the Office of Metropolitan Architecture, and the warehouse can hold a massive 5,000 people.
Programmed and operated by Factory International, the organisation behind Manchester International Festival, Aviva Studios will host a year-round programme of original productions and special events across all artforms – from major exhibitions and concerts to intimate performances and immersive experiences.
Free Your Mind was created to mark the full launch and is an unbelievable collaborative film of some of the most creative minds across different industries. Directed by Greater Manchester-born Danny Boyle it is a dramatic reimagination of the classic sci-fi film The Matrix.
The programme highlights for 2024 are equally impressive with a whole host of different showings on throughout the year. Our top picks for 2024 include; the retelling of Kipling’s renowned novel Jungle Book by visionary Director Robert Wilson and folk duo CocoRosie. Maxine Peake, Sarah Frankcom and Imogen Knight team up with Gazelle Twin and Daisy Johnson reimagine John Bowen’s Robin Readbreast. Johnny Marr presents two nights of music with an orchestra made up of Northern musicians.