Contact Theatre

Contact Theatre is a performance venue in Manchester with several spaces designed for different types of events and shows. The main auditorium seats around 290 people, while three additional rooms hold approximately 70 people each, and a fifth space accommodates 40.

The theater was established in 1972 as Manchester Young People's Theatre through a partnership between Barry Sheppard and Professor Hugh Hunt of Manchester University. It grew from the vision of creating a dedicated space where young artists could develop their craft.

The venue serves as a platform where emerging artists present work in dance, music, poetry, and visual arts to engaged audiences. The spaces welcome experimental performances and community engagement across multiple creative disciplines throughout the year.

The venue offers flexible rental options for different types of events and gatherings in each of its spaces. Visitors can easily access the location on Oxford Road, and the multiple room sizes allow for varied setups depending on the occasion.

A 1999 renovation by architect Alan Short brought energy-efficient features while keeping the original building structure intact. This approach shows how older buildings can be updated for modern standards without losing their character.

Location: Manchester

Inception: 1972

Architects: Alan Short

Official opening: 1972

Address: Devas Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M15 6JA, England

Website: http://contactmcr.com

GPS coordinates: 53.46306,-2.23194

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02