TEN DAYS OF EXPERIENTIAL PERFORMANCE, MUSIC AND EVENTS THAT CHALLENGE YOU TO SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY.
Refract is a festival of work curated by Waterside Arts and Creative Industries Trafford. The ten day programme uses spaces both inside and outside Waterside, often taking on an unusual setting in response to the piece of work being staged.
REFRACT:19
Our third edition, Refract:19 saw our spaces transformed, the centre of which was our 150 seated Cabaret Club and our brand new ‘after-hours’ stage in ‘Sup Bar. The festival focused on creating a unique experience in how visitors engaged with work.
Unforgettable performances came from The Gypsies of Bohemia, Grace Petrie, Professor Elemental, Karima Francis, Annabel Allum and Mama Racho, along with the preview of a brand new show, Wolf Hours by Minute Taker, and amazing physical theatre performances by Motionhouse, Kapow Dance and Lumo Theatre. Frisky & Mannish, Sophie Willan, Alun Cochrane and Ada Campe brought cabaret and comedy, and of course, Refract:19 saw bucket loads of live theatre from Herd Theatre, Pamela De Menthe, Fully Booked Theatre, Lewis Doherty, Art with Heart and Claire Gaydon. Recipients of our brand new Making Waves Bursary Scheme included SharkLegs, Meraki Collective, Dibby Theatre, Ransack Theatre and The Roaring Girls.
REFRACT:18
Refract:18 welcomed cabaret from Mother’s Ruin and Teatro Pomodoro, music from the Magic Numbers, Tankus the Henge and Minute Taker, contemporary theatre from Knaive Theatre’s War with the Newts and Superfan’s Stuntman, new commissions in partnership with Dance Manchester, and physical theatre from Tmesis Theatre and PanGottic.
REFRACT:17
Initiated in 2017, Refract:17 launched with a unique, creative programme. Artists included Max Calaf-Seve, Ren Harvieu, Jan Ravens, Mr Wilson's Second Liners and Felix Hagan & the Family.
Of course, like festivals across the world, we had to hit pause on our planned 2020 festival, so we are delighted to have staged the fourth edition in July 2021 and welcomed audiences back to culture in Trafford with new and unexpected work in and outside the venue.