Fat Roland Wins Support of The Lowry's Flagship DEVELOPED WITH Scheme

The Lowry in Salford has just announced that Manchester performer Fat Roland will premiere new work at Week 53 Festival in May 2018 through its flagship 'Developed With' scheme.

Following a national open call for submissions, Fat Roland develop a new show responding to the theme 'coming of age'. Over the next 12 months he will receive a bespoke package of support as part of The Lowry's award-winning 'Developed With The Lowry' scheme. This will include funding and support for professional development that extends well beyond the life of this project.

Since its beginnings in 2009, The Lowry's 'Developed With' scheme has supported 36 productions to achieve a future touring life after premiering at the Salford venue.

Claire Symonds, programmer and producer at The Lowry said; "We had over 150 applications from all across the country to join our Developed With The Lowry programme for theatre, dance, circus and music shows. Fat Roland's proposal intrigued us with its combination of deadpan comedy, surreal characters and unique props, and his interview had us in stitches. Fat Roland is one of a kind and we are delighted to be working with him as he makes this new show."

Manchester based spoken word performer Fat Roland said; "I'll be celebrating my 45th birthday next year. As a result, I'm looking forward to developing a new show themed on 45rpm records and metaphors around music's digital coming of age for Week 53 Festival.

"I often uses props such as life-size cardboard cut-outs, a 50-foot scroll, words on bread, and cartoons of startled animals. I've presented my work at Edinburgh Fringe Festival and I'm delighted to be a part of The Lowry's 'Developed With' scheme."

In 2016 The Lowry launched Week 53; a new, biennial, cross arts festival of national and international work. Comprising of 63 performances by 200 artists across 11 days, Week 53 opened up The Lowry building - inviting audiences to experience work in a series of spaces normally off-limits to the public.

Week 53 Festival returns in May 2018 where Fat Roland's new piece will run for the first two nights.

For more information, visit thelowry.com.

Image credit: Rope Wolf Photography

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