Brian Cox, Wayne Mcgregor, Olafur Eliasson, Jamie xx, Framestore, Kevin Macdonald, Justin Fletcher & Magic Leap have been confirmed for the fifth edition of the Manchester International Festival. The  Festival takes place between  2nd – 19th July 2015 in Various Venues around Manchester.

Announced so far

TREE OF CODES a new contemporary ballet directed and choreographed by Wayne McGregor with music composed by Jamie xx and visual concept by Olafur Eliasson. Opera House, Manchester 7 performances, 2 – 10 July 2015

Tickets £12 - £45, on sale 10am on 20 November + £1.25 ATG restoration levy + one off transaction fee (no per ticket booking fee).

THE AGE OF STARLIGHT Professor Brian Cox writes and presents, Kevin MacDonald directs a new kind of show about the history of the universe. Technology by Rony Abovitz and Magic Leap, CGI by Tim Webber and Framestore.

“The Age of Starlight will invite an audience to face the biggest questions about our existence, our place within the universe, and the origin of our universe itself, using new technology to create an experience beyond anything that has been possible before.” Professor Brian Cox 

THE TALE OF MR TUMBLE a new theatre show for young children and families; Justin Fletcher invites audiences to step inside the colourful world of one of our most cherished TV characters. Opera House, Manchester 14 performances, 13 – 18 July 2015 Tickets £12 - £25, on sale 10am on 20 November + £1.25 ATG restoration levy + one off transaction fee (no per ticket booking fee). All children’s tickets £12 + £1.25 ATG restoration levy.

The Festival works with co-commissioning partners around the world to create and present new productions; 28 MIF shows have gone on to have a life outside the Festival, visiting Park Avenue Armory, New York, Ruhrtriennale in Germany, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Festival, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Festival d’Automne in Paris, Spoleto Festival Italy and many more.

In addition to income from co-commissioners and ticket sales, MIF receives support from private sponsorship, individuals and trusts and foundations. This money is raised by building on the solid support MIF enjoys from Manchester City Council and Arts Council England, our principal public funders. The top tier sponsors for the 2015 Festival are Bruntwood, Doubletree by Hilton, Manchester Airports Group, NCP and PZ Cussons.

Manchester International Festival has a low cost ticket scheme for local audiences: a number of tickets for every performance of every show will be on sale exclusively for Greater Manchester residents at just £12. These tickets are for residents who earn less than £14k.

The aim is to make more of the Festival more accessible to local people on a lower wage. Some of these tickets will be available from the box office online and by phone on a first come first served, honesty basis. The Festival will also be working with existing networks in Greater Manchester to identify audiences who qualify for this scheme.

The full programme for MIF15 will be announced in February 2015.