The hit Joy Division play New Dawn Fades about Ian Curtis and Joy Division comes to The Bowdon Rooms on the 24th & 25th of October. Transferring from the West End last year New Dawn Fades played to standing ovations around the country, including The RNCM Manchester and The Bowdon Rooms where it was squeezed in at the last minute and completely sold out! The Bowdon date includes a Joy Division Equipment & Ephemera exhibition which will run in the back studio before and during the interval.
Joy Division played at Check Inn Altrincham in November 1978 and the actual poster from that show will be in the exhibition! They also famously played at Bowdon Social Club in March and May 1979 and many locals went to the gigs when at school, most notable those from Altrincham Grammar School! The gigs were put on by Bob Jefferson who owned Streets Ahead Records on Lloyd St which he ran with his wife Jane.
What’s it all about?
NEW DAWN FADES:
A Play About Joy Division & Manchester
New Dawn Fades – A Play About Joy Division And Manchester returns with a re-energised and vibrant new production touring the UK this October. The play tells the story of four ordinary lads who, inspired by the punk revolution of 1970s Manchester, came together to form one of the most influential bands of all time, Joy Division. Following the untimely death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band went on to huge world-wide success as New Order.
For 2025, New Dawn Fades reunites the creative team from last year’s triumphant tour, with producers Tin Orb Ltd. It is written by the award-winning BRIAN GORMAN, who received much praise for his portrayal of Factory Records boss Tony Wilson and reprises the role this year. He guides the audience through the heart and soul of both the band and the city, introducing an array of historical figures, including Roman General Julius Agricola, Dr John Dee, Friedrich Engels, Paul Morley, and Pete Shelley of Buzzcocks! The result is a spellbinding journey of love, passion, grief, and of course music, drawing inspiration from the enigmatic lyrics of Ian Curtis, with a soundtrack featuring iconic hits of the late 1970’s UK music scene including of course Joy Division. The play is directed by Brian Gorman and Lauren Greenwood, who reprises her role as Debbie Curtis. Josh Lonsdale reprises his role as Joy Division frontman, Ian Curtis.
A smash hit when it debuted at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in July 2013, New Dawn Fades has continued to wow audiences across the country, playing to capacity crowds and standing ovations.
“So fascinating, and (Josh Lonsdale) who played Ian Curtis was brilliant!”
– Jayne Middlemiss (Virgin Radio)
“New Dawn Fades is a spellbinding and brilliant play about one of the greatest bands of all time. I totally urge anyone left out there who believes in music to go and see it”
John Robb
“Highly entertaining, poignant, and often very funny. Brian Gorman played an uncanny version of the late great Tony Wilson”
– Will Sergeant (Echo and The Bunnymen)
“An evocative piece that beautifully captures the heart and soul of Manchester in the 1970s. This is the way, step inside…”
Kevin Cummins
“I go through every emotion possible to a music fan… a fantastic sold-out performance from a youthful team of actors who have put their ‘Heart and Soul’ into the whole project.
Louder Than War
Dates:
24 OCT – The Bowdon Rooms – Tickets
25 OCT – The Bowdon Rooms – Tickets
Time: 7.30pm – The show runs for 100 minutes including a 30 minute interval.
2025 Full Tour:
30th September – Cheltenham – Everyman Theatre* – Tickets
1st October – Cheltenham – Everyman Theatre* – Tickets
4th October – Manchester – RNCM* – Tickets
5th October – Manchester – RNCM* – Tickets
7th October – Coventry – The Albany Theatre – Tickets
9th October – Chester – The Live Rooms – Tickets
10th October – Manchester – RNCM* – Tickets
13 October Birmingham – The Old Rep – Tickets
14 October – Birmingham – The Old Rep – Tickets
15 October – Bury – The Met*+Alan Hempsall Interview – Tickets
16 October – Bury – The Met* – Tickets
17 October – Macclesfield – Cinemac – Tickets
18 October – Macclesfield – Cinemac – Tickets
19 October – Macclesfield – Cinemac – Tickets
20th October – Sheffield – The Foundry – Tickets
22nd October – Blackpool – Grand Theatre – Tickets
24 October – Altrincham – The Bowdon Rooms* – Tickets
25 October – Altrincham – The Bowdon Rooms* – Tickets
27th October – London – The Bloomsbury Theatre* – Tickets
28th October – London – The Bloomsbury Theatre* – Tickets
29th October – London – The Bloomsbury Theatre* – Tickets
30 October – Leeds – City Varieties Music Hall – Tickets
31 October – Leeds – City Varieties Music Hall – Tickets
*Joy Division Equipment & Ephemera Exhibition
Tickets: https://www.newdawnfades.co.uk/events
New Dawn Fades is on Facebook, Instagram, Threads & X-Twitter
More Information:
https://www.newdawnfades.co.uk
