CTW History 2004

Contacting the World was produced in partnership with the British Council as part of its Connecting Futures initiative.

Its focus was to increase the mutual understanding of young people from different cultural backgrounds. Theatre companies from Syria, Jordan, Nigeria, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Malaysia work together with groups from Manchester, Oldham, London, Cumbernauld, Leeds and Bradford.

In 2005 Contacting the World was given quality status from UNESCO’s International Fund for the Promotion of Culture. A new addition to the festival week was the preparation of a ’street performance’ for the final day of the festival, with contributions from Contacting the World participants and local Manchester young people, led by 2002 participant company ‘Arts in Action’ from Trinidad.  Another development was the increased attendance by youth arts professionals from around the world, who are keen to learn more about international young theatre makers.

Ancient Theatre Company, Nigeria
Asian Theatre School, Bradford, UK
Black Fish Comedy Theatre Troupe, Pakistan
Brilliant, Manchester, UK
Cumbernauld Youth Theatre, Scotland, UK
Chicken Shed Youth Theatre, London, UK
Performing Arts Centre, Jordan
Peshkar, Oldham, UK
Tarunya, Bangladesh, UK
Theatre Royal Stratford East Youth Theatre, London
The Studio Theatre, Syria
Zao Xin Chang Theatre Troupe, Malaysia