Joy Division Play ‘New Dawn Fades’ Returns to Manchester

Joy Division grew in the aftermath of the punk revolution and ended with the tragic suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis in 1980. Their continuing legacy in the city is celebrated in New Dawn Fades which returns to Manchester in April…

New Dawn Fades puts a whole new perspective on the Joy Division story. 

“… a spellbinding
and brilliant play
about one of the
greatest bands of
all time.”
Louder Than War

Let Anthony H Wilson take you on a tour of the people and places which brought the band together – including his own Factory Records. 

Come face to face with characters as varied as Curtis’ wife and biographer Debbie (played by Natalie Perry), Johnny Rotten, and Roman General Julius Agricola, and realise their connections – all thanks to Joy Division. 

Watch how four ordinary boys were driven by extraordinary music in a Manchester developing its reputation at the forefront of contemporary culture – with a soundtrack studded with some of their best-loved songs, performed live.

The play has already pulled audiences into its alternate take on exploring the passions, pitfalls and of, course, performances, adding to the intensity of the Joy Division we know and love. 

It was a huge hit at the Manchester Fringe Festival in July 2013, then staged in Curtis’ hometown of Macclesfield to a standing ovation in 2014. Since then it has impressed audiences at a number of venues in the North West, including a one-off show at The Dancehouse in 2014, followed by a 2015 tour which included venues in Chester and Leeds. 

It’s no wonder the demand for a re-tour has been huge and now it’s going on the road again, visiting a number of cities including Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, and also London, from the 29^th of March to the 23^rd April 2016. 

Written by Brian Gorman and produced by Giles Bastow, New Dawn Fades dips into the unknown pleasures of Manchester’s past and provides an insight into an artistic explosion which still inspires the present. 

From a Sex Pistols gig at The Lesser Free Trade Hall to tremors over a trip to America which never happened and the Blue Monday after, the play shines a welcome new light on the Joy Division story.  To see it now, in the city at the heart and soul of events, is an opportunity not to be missed.

New Dawn Fades is on at The Dancehouse on the 14^th, 15^th and 16^th  April. 

For tickets thedancehouse.co.uk/events/2016/34-new-dawn-fades

“… a spellbinding and brilliant play about one of the greatest bands of all time. I totally urge anyone left out there who believes in music to go and see it.” John Robb, Louder Than War  

“I was crying. It was very emotional at the end. It captured everything perfectly. I loved it; it had everything – the music and the emotion… there was such a buzz in the building.” Rowetta, Happy Mondays 

“New Dawn Fades is more than a play about Joy Division; it’s about Manchester, friendship, love and heartbreak … it’s clear this is a piece full of energy.” Tracey Lowe, The Good Review

“It’s all very entertaining and works unexpectedly well, especially at capturing the spirit of the times…” Kevin Bourke, Manchester Evening News 

“This is a very ambitious play and (the director) works wonders to achieve many complex scenes with style.” Dave Cunningham, The Public Reviews 

“A powerful and irresistible glimpse of an exciting time for the development of Manchester, Salford and alternative pop culture.” Matt Charlton  

“Let’s just say, this is an experience you won’t easily forget.” Mary O’Meara, Mudkiss Magazine