Here at Z-arts, we have two small budgets per annum. The first of these is a budget for Research and Development, supporting artists to play, explore and develop ideas they have for children and family performance work. The second is for a yearly commission, supporting artists to create high quality, tour ready work. Like with a lot of our work, we sometimes look to collaborate with other organisations (from Greater Manchester, Big Imaginations or the wider UK) to co-commission the creation of new piece of theatre.
Below are some example of incredibly successful show that we have either commissioned or co-commissioned in the past few years.
Past Commissions/Co-commissions
Brave Betty
Tatenda Naomi Matsvai
Co-commission by Z-arts and Half Moon Theatre.
Written by Tatenda Naomi Matsvai, Brave Bettie is a magical woodland adventure told through poetry, songs and stories that explore their home heritage in Zimbabwe. This playful yet powerful production explores resilience, self-belief, activism and our bond with nature.
Club Ninja
Takeshi Matsumoto
Co-Commissioned by Z-arts
Inspired by the Ninja, a highly skilled agent trained in ancient Japanese martial arts & acts of stealth, Club Ninja uses the interplay between light, shadow and dance to highlight the mischievous sneakiness of this enigmatic character.
Created in collaboration with children aged 3 – 5 Club Ninja is a captivating celebration of imagination and creativity.
Alicia’s Amazing Adventure to Find the First Black Briton
Alicia McKenzie
Co-commissioned by Z-arts, Big Imaginations, Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council and Greater Manchester Arts.
Alicia’s Amazing Adventure to find the first Black Britons is an interactive, theatrical storytelling that traverses time and space bringing bold historical characters from the Black British diaspora to life in a way never been seen before. From 1970s Manchester to 1880s Darlington and then the time ship just keeps on going.
Seed to Soil
Move Manchester
Co-Commissioned by Z-arts and Big Imagination.
Move Manchester presents “Seed to Soil,” a vibrant dance theatre production for children aged 3-7. Through dynamic choreography, a transformative garden and a lively original soundtrack, the show dives into agriculture and gardening, empowering Children to grow their own food. Embrace a greener future and become a green grower today!
Grandad Anansi
Elayne Ogbeta
Co-commissioned by Z-arts and Half Moon Theatre
Award-winning children’s author, Elayne Ogbeta was supported by Half-Moon Theatre and Z-arts, to develop her script into a tourable production. This piece went on to tour across the Big Imaginations network and at many other venues, libraries and community settings across the country.
A humorous and heartfelt inter-generational adventure. With evocative live music, Grandad Anansi is an uplifting tale of love, courage and letting go.
When I Hear Music
Chad Taylor
Commissioned by Z-arts
‘When I Hear Music’ is a Hip-Hop dance & music production that explores the emotional rollercoaster that young people experience during their first day at secondary school using Silent Disco Headphones.
Set in the fragile space between Year 6 and Year 7, the play captures the emotional whiplash of growing up, where one moment you’re being read to on the carpet, and the next you’re navigating crowded hallways and social hierarchies. It’s about the messy, magical in-between… the moment childhood ends and something new begins.
Christmas Lights
Filskit Theatre
Co-commissioned by Z-arts and Wonder Arts
Snow is falling and the nights are drawing in, winter is here and Christmas is just around the corner. Join friends, Alvie and Kit as they embark on a playful mission to light up their house in time for Christmas. But what happens when your Christmas Lights seem to have a mind of their own?
Join award-winning company, Filskit Theatre, for this brand-new festive performance that shows us how the power of friendship can light up the dark.
Luna Loves Library Day – The Music
Little Seeds Music
Commissioned by Z-arts
Luna looks forward to one special day… Library Day! It’s the day when she discovers magic among the library shelves, from dinosaurs to mummies, from unexplained mysteries to monsters and magic. But for Luna, Library Day is also a chance to spend time with Dad, making it all the more special.
A new musical for children and families based on the picture book written by Children’s Laureate Joseph Coelho, and illustrated by Fiona Lumbers.
Stan
Art with Heart
Co-Commissioned by Z-arts and Big Imaginations
STAN is about a friendship between a deaf girl and a hearing boy who is having problems at home. STAN was Z-arts’ main commission for 2021/ 2022.
“Z-arts and Big Imaginations have been incredibly supportive of our work from wellbeing events, theatre performances to creative participatory activities – they’ve supported us not only to make new work but helped us improve it for the audiences and young people we work with.”
The Gift
Touched Theatre
Commissioned by Z-arts
At Christmas-time the magic will find you anywhere – even in space!
Blast off into the stars in this beautiful new production created especially by award-winning Early Years practitioners for our youngest audiences.
Family Catwalk Extravaganza (previously named Family Vogue Ball)
Darren Pritchard
Co-Commissioned by Z-arts, Homotopia and Black Gold Arts
Bring your Glamour, Glitz and Grace and come together in a fabulous celebration of self-expression. Four dancers go head to head in a dance, fashion and lip sync competition in an interactive event where the audience decides the winner.
Whether you just want to join in the fun or have a passion to pose, come along and show off your own magnificence by dressing up and helping crown the winner!
Dress your finest, learn the moves – then take to the floor…
DUST
Laura Dockrill
Co-commissioned by Z-arts and Half Moon Theatre
Winner of the 2022 Off West End Theatre Award for Best Theatre for Children Aged 5-11.
When Little Titch and her scruffy rucksack arrive at the giant, pink house it is not what she expected – a blanket of thick grey dust covers everything in sight and it is wild and overgrown. Her new home is cold and unwelcoming until she meets Nelly, a flamboyant and loveable hoarder. Together the pair discover they have more in common than they first thought and that friendship can heal hidden wounds.
The Welcoming Party
Theatre Rites
Co-Commissioned byZ-arts, Manchester International Festival and Ruhrtriennale Festival
The Welcoming Party took us on a thrilling journey through a historic hidden warehouse at the Museum of Science & Industry, walking alongside people who had travelled here from towns and cities far beyond Manchester, all looking for a place where they could feel safe and sound. We hoped we helped them find what they were looking for.
A beautiful blend of puppetry, performance, dance and live music for both children and family audiences, The Welcoming Party made us think about what it means to feel different – and why we should all be proud of who we are.
Void
Company Chameleon
Commissioned by Z-arts
A male and female duet, Void explores the space created by the pandemic, and what has moved into that space – both good and bad.
Responding to the experiences, thoughts and feelings of the artists and a group of young people in Manchester, Void explores the rich tapestry of emotions and reactions to covid and lockdown.
The choreography was created as part of Space to Speak, a project with Z-Arts and Trinity High School in Hulme, Manchester. As part of Here and Now, a national and local celebration of culture within communities.