First Draft is a cabaret collective based in Manchester and Newcastle. We showcase brand new work: drama, fiction, poetry, music, comedy, storytelling, spoken word, and more…
Jenny May Morgan performing at First Draft
For the last five years, we have hosted regular events in Manchester, and we are now branching out across the north of England, particularly with our new base in Newcastle.
We aim to provide a space for writers and performers of all kinds to test out new ideas, and to bring artists into unusual spaces to bring cultural and heritage collections to life.
The First Draft Team
Abi Hynes
Abi is a drama, fiction and poetry writer. Her short stories have been published widely in print and online, and she is currently taking part in Channel 4’s 4Screenwriting course.
See more from Abi on the First Draft blog or follow her on twitter: @AbiFaro
Harry Jelley
Harry is a poet and producer, once a dedicated fan of First Draft and now very happy to be part of the team. He works at the John Rylands Library, coming up with interesting and fun ways to share the collection there, and also writes and performs as one half of iOrganic performance duo.
See more from Harry or follow him on twitter: @HarryJelley
Andrew Williamson performing at First Draft
Get involved
Find out more about performing with us, or come along to one of our events!
Explore our blog to see featured work and guest blogs from our performers, and watch and listen to some of them in action.
If you’re interested in getting involved with First Draft, get in touch.
Keisha Thompson performing at VAULTS in the John Rylands Library
Praise for First Draft
‘The room was packed. People who couldn’t get seats stood and the audience spilled out into the corridor of the Castle Hotel.’
‘A lyrical, gripping start to the night, it was only one of the various unique takes on the theme.’
The Meteor. Read the full review and interview
‘There was a camaraderie that even as a voyeur it was lovely to bask in.’
‘if you’d like to brighten up a rainy Manchester Monday, and you like the thrill of the new, look in on this low-key night out and perhaps at some point you’ll consider dusting off your notebook and joining in’
Gina Fletcher. Read Gina’s review of our event Show and Tell.
‘Go to the next First Draft. Any art form goes and they encourage work in progress and the atmosphere created by hosts and audience is inclusive and encouraging’
‘this really is the first place to perform stuff that’s still very fresh, so there’s an off-the-cuff, low-risk feeling about it’
Follow us on Twitter: @FirstDraftMcr
or find us on Facebook: facebook.com/FirstDraftMcr
First Draft 