Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16 October | 8:00 PM | Derby Hall @ The Met
£26 / £30 with programme (inc fees)
The critically acclaimed production New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester returns to The Met in 2025 with a vibrant, re-energised new tour, offering a powerful theatrical experience that captures the soul of a band, a city, and a generation.
Written by award-winning playwright Brian Gorman, the play tells the unforgettable story of Joy Division—four ordinary lads from 1970s Manchester who, inspired by the punk movement, formed one of the most influential bands of all time. From their beginnings in a city defined by its gritty beauty, to the tragic death of lead singer Ian Curtis, and the band’s rebirth as New Order, New Dawn Fades is a poignant, passionate journey through music, ambition, and heartbreak.
This year’s production reunites the original creative team, including producers Nigel Carr and Tony Davidson, with Gorman once again taking on the role of Tony Wilson, the legendary Factory Records founder. Guiding audiences through Manchester’s vibrant cultural landscape, Wilson introduces a cast of iconic historical figures—Julius Agricola, Dr John Dee, Friedrich Engels, Paul Morley, and Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks—blending fact, legend, and music into a compelling and unforgettable narrative.
The play features a soundtrack packed with iconic late 70s UK music, including of course the haunting and poetic lyrics of Joy Division, brought to life on stage by Josh Lonsdale, who reprises his role as Ian Curtis, and Lauren Greenwood, returning as Debbie Curtis. Co-directed by Brian Gorman and Lauren Greenwood, the show continues to receive praise for its emotional depth and electric atmosphere.
A smash hit since its debut at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in 2013, New Dawn Fades has gone on to captivate audiences across the UK, earning standing ovations and critical acclaim along the way.
Don’t miss this spellbinding tribute to Manchester, its music, and the legacy of a band that changed everything.
https://themet.org.uk/event/new-dawn-fades-2025/