CityLife

New Order to make a theatre debut

AFTER seeing their lives played out on screen in the film 24 Hour Party People, I now hear that New Order are now to make their theatre debut.

The band, who are used to selling out stadium gigs, will play live as part of a new play set around the music festival Glastonbury, when it comes to Manchester on October 16.

The show, also called Glastonbury, is being staged in a marquee, which holds about 600, at Whitworth Park and will give fans a chance to see Peter Hook's first public live performance since winning best bass player at the Muso Awards, voted for by his peers.

As the band has not yet announced any forthcoming tour dates there is sure to be a scrabble for tickets between the hardened fans and the city's regular theatregoers.

The play, which follows the stories of seven festival revellers at Glastonbury, also stars Keith Allen, Kieran O'Brien, Chris Coghill - who played Bez in 24 Hour Party People - and Spooks' Bronwyn Davies. It's been penned by controversial young playwright Zoe Lewis, and with Damien Hirst on board as designer and Keith Allen directing it's sure to challenge ideas of modern theatre.

"We've got food stalls, jugglers and campfires all set up inside the tent," says a spokesman for the show.

"We want the audience to feel like they've really experienced a little bit of Glastonbury."