New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester chronicles the 1970s Mancunian music scene. It tells the story of four ordinary lads who, inspired by the 1970s punk revolution, came together to form one of the most influential bands of all time: Joy Division. Enjoy the show as it stops in Sheffield's Leadmill on its autumn tour in 2022.
Joy Division recorded their iconic album Unknown Pleasures at Tony Davidson’s legendary studios on Little Peter Street in the late 1970s. Alongside them were other of the city's upcoming bands, including The Fall, Buzzcocks, V2, The Drones, and Mick Hucknall. Many of those colourful characters and their music appear in New Dawn Fades.
The play draws from the history of the city, oral history from those who were there, and the haunting lyrics of Joy Division's Ian Curtis. It explores the local and cultural influences on the band with humour and heart, and captures the spirit and energy of the era.
Written by Brian Gorman, directed by Sean Mason and Giles D Bastow.
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