Gaza. 2003.
A young idealist from Olympia, Washington- a lover of poetry, people and nature- travels to Rafa as part of an international peace brigade. She lives with Palestinian families, works with the children, resists the destruction of Palestinian homes and farms.
On March 16 she is killed by a military bulldozer.
My Name is Rachel Corrie tells this true story, in Rachel’s own words, taken from excerpts from her diaries and from her many emails home, and edited together by the late Alan Rickman and now-editor of The Guardian, Katherine Viner.
The multi-award winning play premiered at the Royal Court in 2005, directed by Alan Rickman, and has subsequently been performed all over the world.
This production, in association with political theatre collective, Take Back, and 53Two, marks its Manchester premiere.
Writer Ian Kershaw (Coronation Street, Shameless, Cold Feet) makes his directorial debut, with Harriet Bibby (Coronation Street, Doctors, Brassic) in the role of Rachel.
Twenty one years on, this beautiful, raw, intensely moving and often very funny play, is as urgent and relevant as when it was first produced.
Take Back is a political theatre collective, set up as a response to the politics of austerity in 2015, by actor Julie Hesmondhalgh, writer Rebekah Harrison and visual artist Grant Archer. Much of their work has been Manchester-based evenings of short pieces about current social and political events, with occasional full scale productions including Be//Longing (Hope Mill), I Forget Your Name (an immersive response to the refugee crisis in a deserted bank in the city centre), Where We Are Now (HOME) and most recently What Does it Take to Slay a Dragon? at 53Two. takebacktheatre.com
53Two is Manchester’s only fully accessible independent theatre venue. It is our belief that theatre is for everyone, and why accessibility is at the heart of everything we do. This includes physical access to the building, British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, offering affordable and unwaged tickets and even gluten free options at the bar. 53two specialises in producing new writing. We aim to provide an avenue for creatives and allow audiences to see work they have never seen before. We strive to tell the stories that need to be told now; to challenge, inform and educate, change perceptions and ignite discussion. Most importantly, 53two encourages, champions and nurtures disabled, disadvantaged, and underserved artists and visitors from across Greater Manchester. 53two is a registered charity. (Registered charity number: 1179418) 53two.com
Ian Kershaw is an award-winning writer of TV, radio, film and theatre. Credits include: for TV- Coronation Street, Shameless, Cold Feet; and for theatre Union Street, Mist in the Mirror, Starcross’d, Bread and Roses, all for Oldham Coliseum), We Should Definitely Have More Dancing (Oldham, Edinburgh Festival and tour) and The Greatest Play in the History of the World, which has had productions in Europe, Canada, and most recently in Philadelphia, and which premiered at the Royal Exchange before transferring to the Traverse in Edinburgh, Trafalgar Studios, London, and a national tour.
Harriet Bibby was born in Lincolnshire and studied at ALRA North. Theatre credits include Blackbird at Royal Court Studio, Liverpool. TV includes Coronation Street (National TV Award Best Newcomer nomination), Brassic and Doctors.
Ian saw the original production of My Name is Rachel Corrie, and, like many who experienced it, was profoundly affected. Working recently with Harriet Bibby, Ian was struck with the thought that Harriet would be the ideal actor to play Rachel – a Rachel who is full of warmth, humour, curiosity and heart – taking us on a journey with her poetic, beautiful and insightful words, and of course her tireless and passionate activism.
Dates: Wednesday 18th- Saturday 21st March 2026 7.30pm Press night Thursday 19th March 7.30pm
Matinee Saturday 21st March 2.30pm
Pricing: £17, plus a limited number of pay-what-you-can tickets available per performance. For more info please contact alex@53two.com
