#BeMoreMartyn: The Boy with the Deirdre Tattoo,

Mike Lee

Established in 2004, Hope specialises in verbatim theatre and creating exciting, challenging theatre that empowers our audiences. We present educational and original work including productions aimed for and about the LGBT+ community.

Hope encourages the professional development of young actors and creatives and and has a history of working with emerging LGBT+ artists.

Hope Theatre Company is based in Manchester and tours productions to schools, festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe and the Dublin International Gay Theatre Festival and theatres including the Kings Head Theatre, The Lowry and Hope Mill Theatre.

​In 2016 Hope launched Hope Young Actors, delivering drama classes and workshops for young people in Greater Manchester.

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
ADAM ZANE

In 2004 Adam set up Hope Theatre Company, specialising in verbatim theatre and creating new LGBT+ theatre. Hope produced the north-west premiere of The Laramie Project and were later invited by Tectonic Theater Project to present the UK premiere of The Laramie Project : 10 Years Later. This production was part of a global event where the new play was read by companies across the world and broadcast live from New York, hosted by Glenn Close. Adam has directed all of Hope Theatre Company’s productions to date and leads workshops on verbatim theatre and tackling homophobia and hate crime.

Adam was Artistic Director for the George House Trust Candlelit Vigil for Manchester Pride  for over 10 years before standing down in 2016. He created original verbatim pieces and worked with artists including Sir Ian McKellen, Alison Moyet, Beverly Knight, Heather Small and Julie Hesmondhalgh.

In 2015 and 2016, Adam directed Manchester’s World AIDS Day Vigil and worked with partners the LGBT Foundation, George House Trust, Manchester NHS and Manchester City Council.

OUR PATRONS 
JULIE HESMONDHALGH & WARREN BROWN

Julie Hesmondhalgh has been a huge supporter of Hope since our inception in 2004. We asked Julie to be Patron not only because her of her work as an actress but because she actively promotes equality and diversity in all her work. As television’s first trangender character in Coronation Street, Julie changed perceptions and challenged attitudes, making Hayley one of the shows most beloved characters.

Julie presented our first Out/LOUD DVD for schools and in 2010 she introduced our production of The Laramie Project – 10 Years Later at The Lowry.

We support Julie’s work with other organisations, including the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, Maundy Relief and Pancreatic Cancer.

Warren Brown has been a member of Hope Theatre Company since our first production of The Laramie Project in 2004. He returned to Hope in 2009 to be a part of the premiere production of The Laramie Project – 10 Years Later, playing the part of Aaron McKinney. Warren first worked with Adam Zane as a student at Salford University and Hope gave Warren his first professional acting job.

We asked Warren to be a Patron of Hope in recognition of his ongoing support and because his journey represents the aims of our company – giving young actors professional experience, nurturing their talents, introducing them to the industry and encouraging them to share their ongoing skills and knowledge with newer members of our company.