Samira, a Scottish Aid Worker, goes through a ‘baptism of fire' during the revolutions in the Middle East. Certain she can make a difference, she takes on mission after mission, but is quickly confronted by the reality of war, aid work and her own disillusionment. Based on real-life experiences, this story explores how global events shape personal identity, belonging and resilience. Fifteen years after the Arab Revolutions, it asks: how and what do we choose to see?

Three centuries. Three moments in time. An epic story of Manchester and Ireland by multi award-winning playwright Rory Mullarkey premieres at the Royal Exchange Theatre, 30 years after an IRA bomb devastated the heart of the city. In 1846, Annie Donovan has a score to settle; in 1996, it looks like any other Saturday morning in Manchester; and in 2026, Jenny moves back to the place where she grew up. This original and moving new play explores private and public histories, grief and love – and the making and re-making of our city.

Freshly installed in 11 Downing Street, a fearless female Chancellor of the Exchequer is determined to get rid of the ancient urinal in her grace-and-favour en-suite. Intrigue overflows into outrage when it transpires that the porcelain was first tinkled on by that undying icon of Britishness, Winston Churchill. Soon, the whole nation has a view on this storm in a pisspot. Join us for this rambunctious romp through the corridors of power and discover whether our fearless Chancellor's grip on her Budget red box can survive the clamour for her Whitehall washroom to be awarded a Blue Plaque.