The celebrated Joy Division play, New Dawn Fades, returns to mark a very special anniversary, the 40th year since Unknown Pleasures was released...
It's a welcome return for a play that takes a look at the inception of one of our most loved and enigmatic bands. Scripted by Salford Star Award winner Brian Gorman, New Dawn Fades offers not only a great piece of theatre, but also a well-crafted insight into Joy Division.
Brian tells the Salford Star that the play has taken on a new life to mark a very special occasion, "Our last director made some cuts, and some scenes were re-imagined" he explains "For this one, bearing in mind it's the 40th anniversary of Unknown Pleasures, I am revamping certain elements. There will be new audio-visual segments, and some new scenes."
There is a wealth of material and first-hand information on the band and the life of Ian Curtis. These accounts mean that any dramatisation has to be an accurate portrayal and that the subjects have to be treated with deference and sensitivity. It something that Brian is well aware of... "Since I first wrote it, I have met various real-life characters from the play - Mick Middles, T J Davidson, members of The Drones, etc - and I have new insights and anecdotes from them that will help with the new script."
Antony H. Wilson acts as a guide as he narrates through the history of the band, and the history of the area. It's a clever device that brings the audience up to speed with a potted history of the region and the mood of the time.
New Dawn Fades sets the scene and provides an authentic cultural landscape. It places the audience in the midst a young gang of mates ready to take on the world. Brian is delighted with the dramatisation of the seminal events...
"I love the scene where Tony Wilson gets very excited about the sudden upsurge of punk bands in Manchester" he says "He is ecstatic at the energy in the air, and believes a magnificent revolution is taking place, and that something very special is happening. We then cut immediately to Hooky and Barney sitting around, bored senseless, and muttering about not being able to get any gigs without a singer... Magic can happen in the most uninspiring and lethargic places."
Many of the area's icons have been along to see the show. Rowetta and John Robb both loved it enough to attend more than once and have given the show their full endorsement. Whether you're a fully-paid-up expert on Stiff Kittens, Warsaw, Joy Division and New Order, or a looking for a starting point, the play is highly relatable and offers something for everyone.
New Dawns Fades celebrates a classic band that created timeless music. It masterfully evokes Salford and Manchester in the seventies whilst celebrating the undeniable Joy Division brilliance. Get along and celebrate a great and classic album...
...And, as an added bonus, there's going to be an accompanying exhibition of Brian Gorman's artwork, called Manchester Icons, which includes images of Ian Curtis, Hooky, Tony Wilson, Mark E Smith and more. Brian will also be present at all the performances signing copies of his graphic books and images...
New Dawn Fades and Manchester Icons Exhibition by Brian Gorman
Thursday 12th September; Friday 13th and Saturday 14th
All performances 7:45pm with extra Saturday matinee at 3pm
Manchester Dancehouse Theatre
Tickets £12 – click here to book
Words by Ian Leslie
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