Baba Israel: "As artistic director the 24:7 is a chance to see work, and that's really important"

Baba Israel, artistic director of Contact and director for the theatre festival “Contacting the World” shares his thoughts on the 24:7 theatre festival, and how the theatre industry in Manchester can be improved.

Festivals like the '24:7 theatre festival' and 'Contacting the world' demonstrate that theatre is alive in Manchester, what could we do to transform Manchester into a 'theatre symbol' like other cities like Edinburgh, for instance?

I think there's always been a strong tradition of theatre in Manchester, with great diversity. From the world exchange to the Green Room, to Contact, to the Library Theatre, to the Theatre Festival 24:7... But the main thing is that people are starting to learn about these other festivals which have been happening for a long time. The good thing is that the City Council here is quite supportive of culture in Manchester, I feel like there's a kind of city will, even in Greater Manchester, there's a push for culture. The main thing is how to improve awareness in Manchester. The real challenge is how to spread to the world about the energy delivered in the festival's project.

What do you think about the 24:7 theatre festival?

I'm excited about 24:7. I went to see a couple of pieces last year, and actually two pieces from 24:7 are coming to Contact. For me that's a good thing that the festival does. It is a platform for plays and new plays, giving them a life. So for me that's quite exciting that two plays from the festival will now come to the theatre Contact. For me as artistic director it's a chance to see work, it's really important.

Imagine you have to convince an sponsor it's worth investing in theatre in Manchester, what would you say?

I would say to sponsors that theatre is one of the great tradition in the UK, but also I would say that theatre in the UK has reached a very exiting point. We have some of the most innovative work happening right now. In terms of new technologies, in terms in new experimental or popular forms. Theatre is also engaging new audiences.

To me it's an investment in tradition, it's an investment in innovation and it's investment in young people, and the ability they have in meaning the experience. Because when you go to the theatre you have to share an experience with your audience, and you have to share the experience with actors, it's based in relationships, and this is very important. In particular in a world that's becoming more mediated. I think the theatre is a very good place for human experiences.