The Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama hosts concerts, theatre, and literature events at the heart of The University of Manchester.
Since it opened in 2003, the Centre has contributed to the cultural life of students, staff, alumni and the wider community. It hosts new and emerging artists, as well as more established, internationally renowned figures.
The Centre offers a varied programme of arts events, many of which are free, in order to educate, stimulate and engage audiences, as well as provide memorable and inspirational experiences. Events are open to the public and include concerts, theatre productions, literature and spoken word events, seminars and lectures.
It incorporates two major performance spaces: the 350-seat Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall and the John Thaw Studio Theatre, which can accommodate approximately 100 people, and an electroacoustic music studio.
The Centre is fortunate to display a collection of stunning textile wall hangings by contemporary textile/fibre artist, Alice Kettle. These striking pieces of artwork; Red and Blue Movement in Three, and The Birth of Motives in the Clouds, are unique in their grouping and were commissioned by The Oglesby Charitable Trust.
So please come along, and discover why the Martin Harris Centre is attracting attention as an important arts venue throughout the North West.
Access
There are a range of facilities within the Martin Harris Centre for disabled patrons
The Centre has a ramp at the Coupland Street entrance. The Bridgeford Street entrance has level access.
The Martin Harris Centre is fully accessible. The Centre has a ramp at the Coupland Street entrance and there are level floor entrances to both performance spaces. Both entrances to the building have auto-opening doors. There are wheelchair spaces in the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall and in the John Thaw Studio Theatre. There is one manually operated wheelchair available by prior arrangement. Patrons requiring wheelchair access to concerts and events are asked to inform the Box Office at the time of booking.
The box office has a low level counter and there are disabled toilet facilities available on the ground floor.
Disabled (blue badge) visitors
Disabled visitors will be allowed to access on-campus parking as near as possible to the Centre. This will be free of charge and accessible via the intercom help point at the entry to campus (to the left of the entrance to Booth Street West multi-storey). This can be arranged in advance. Please contact the Box Office.
Where it is not possible to accommodate this, there are plenty of dedicated disabled bays at the multi-storey car park at Booth Street West and these are also free of charge; however, to obtain free exit the paper ticket taken on entry must be validated by the attendant before returning to your vehicle.
The Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall has been fitted with an infra-red induction loop. Receivers for this facility are available from The Martin Harris Centre Box Office. Please advise Box Office of your requirements at the time of booking.
The John Thaw Studio Theatre is fitted with induction loops. (Hearing aids should be switched to the ‘T’ position).
General access information
There is a drop off point outside the venue. Please call the box office on 0161 275 8951 for further information.
There is seating in the main foyer.
The Martin Harris Centre has baby changing facilities available.
