CityLife

MIF: It Felt Like A Kiss

It Felt Like A Kiss, by Adam Curtis and Felix Barrett

EVERYONE loves the ghost train - right? Well, prepare yourself for something far spookier at this year's Manchester International Festival...

It Felt Like A Kiss is a ghost walk like no other that is taking over a five-storey, semi derelict building in central Manchester for a multi-media journey through the music, politics, atrocities and scares of our times.

Created by BBC filmmaker Adam Curtis and Punchdrunk's artstic director Felix Barrett, It Felt Like A Kiss also boasts original music composed by Gorillaz and Blur frontman Damon Albarn - an early supporter of the Manchester International Festival - and a recorded performance by Kronos Quartet.

Golden age

The journey tells the story of America’s rise to power in the golden age of pop and the unforeseen consequences it had on the world and the people.

You begin the walk in 1959 and travel through the decade that saw America rise to supreme power in the world.

The concept is a leading one; it aims to make the audience experience the years in a way they may not have previously considered and, perhaps, to draw a logical line through the events, people and moments of violence and fear that now 'haunt' us in today's age of uncertainty.

Derelict

This new production takes the classic haunted-house as a setting, unfolding over several empty floors of a semi-derelict Quay House, on the edge of Spinningfields.

An innovative political documentary maker for the BBC, Curtis has used the BBC's extensive archive to create the piece, while Albarn's evocative score is reminiscent of the period.

Audiences of eight people at a time will experience It Felt Like A Kiss, with shows beginning every ten minutes during performance slots.

But organisers warn that the show is not suitable for persons of a nervous disposition. Sch-pooky!

It Felt Like A Kiss is at Quay House, Hardman Square from July 2-19 and is only suitable for people of 16 years and over. £25. Please check the website for showing times.