Invisible Dot to programme Manchester Festival comedy
This year’s Manchester International Festival will present a programme of events curated by comedy innovators The Invisible Dot.
The festival’s Pavilion Theatre at Festival Square will host the programme, which includes the world premiére of The Crocodile adapted by Tom Basden, Adam Buxton’s latest work and The Invisible Dot Cabaret.
Manchester International Festival is the world’s first festival of original, new work and special events and takes place biennially. The Festival launched in 2007 as an artist-led, commissioning festival presenting new works from across the spectrum of performing arts, visual arts and popular culture.
The Invisible Dot Ltd said: “The Invisible Dot Ltd has a long history of presenting work in dynamic festival environments so we are thrilled to present our three-part comedy programme, which is also the first comedy programme in Manchester International Festival’s history.
“The Invisible Dot’s programme is laced with firsts: The Crocodile is a brand-new fiercely funny play, bringing together a unique creative team in Tom Basden and Ned Bennett; and Adam Buxton will bring his latest never-performed-in-Manchester material. Manchester has a thriving comedy scene and we are thrilled to be bringing our original and intrepid programme to new audiences.”
Written by Tom Basden and directed by Ned Bennett, The Crocodile is based on the short story of the same name by Fyodor Dostoevsky. The Crocodile will play from 14 – 18 July.
Basden is a BAFTA-nominated British actor and comedy writer who is well-known for his work with the comedy sketch group Cowards and frequent collaborations with Tim Key. Tom’s writing credits include the BBC2 comedy thriller The Wrong Mans that starred James Corden, and Channel 4’s Fresh Meat.
In 2013, The Invisible Dot produced Tom’s play Holes at the Edinburgh Fringe, which later transferred to the Arcola. Tom’s acting credits include BBC farce W1A and ITV2 comedy series Plebs.
Basden said: “The Crocodile is a daft and deft satire on art, animals and selling out, this is a show about ridiculous people demanding to be taken seriously, and what happens when you attack the system from within (the belly of a Crocodile).”
Cult geek, award-winning radio host and tech guru Adam Buxton’s new show Adam Buxton & Friends will run from 3 – 5 July.
Buxton said: “No British city’s bester than wonderful Manchester.
According to my cousin, the music scene is buzzin’!
When I have the time to spare I love to take the train to there.
The people are intensely nice. But nothing really rhymes with nice”.
Buxton first came to prominence with The Adam and Joe Show on Channel 4 and later on BBC Radio 6Music, which he presented alongside Joe Cornish. A regular on TV panel and comedy series, Adam has appeared on Have I Got News For You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, The IT Crowd and Armando Iannucci’s Time Trumpet.
In addition to his work on television, Adam’s film credits include Edgar Wright’s Hot Fuzz, Stardust and Son of Rambow.
Featuring a late night line-up from The Invisible Dot’s most celebrated jokers, including James Acaster, Tom Basden, Natasia Demetriou & Ellie White, Mae Martin, Nick Mohammed, Sheeps and Liam Williams, The Invisible Dot Cabaret will play on 9, 10, 11, 15, 16 and 17 July.
Tickets for Manchester International Festival are available online or via the festival box office on 0844 871 7654.
