Social Experiment

presented by Word of Warning and Contact –

Social Experiment

–

About Social Experiment

Social Experiment is a gathering at Contact for anyone interested in Live Art and contemporary performance to meet, chat, and try ideas out…

A free and informal, semi-regular evening event with the next on; Thursday 27 November, with 2026 dates to include Thursday 19 February (a Queer Contact Edition), 9 April and 11 June 2026.

A unique chance for artists and audiences alike...

If you’re a Greater Manchester artist— this is your chance to test out a short performance, intervention, or durational work, in front of an informal audience.

If you’re an audience member looking for something a little bit different — this is your chance to take a few risks and meet some artists in our social experiment.

Artists

Artists for February (Queer Contact edition) include: 

Ariel Hebditch · Ben Hodge · Failed Artist Society · lucy · Maddie Maycock · PHOBIA · special guest Graham Clayton-Chance

NB participating artists are announced about a week before each event — the call for proposals is open on a rolling basis at socialexperiment.posthaven.com

Thu 9 Apr 2026 → Deadline Mon 23 Mar 2026, 12:00
Thu 11 Jun 2026 → Deadline Mon 25 May 2026, 12:00

Find out more about the full programme and each piece here: wordofwarning.org/socialexperiment

Past Artists

17 July: Ben Hodge · James Moss · Leah Stone · Rachel Smith · Shahireh Sharif · Xhi Ndubisi 

5 June (Student Edition): Amelia Grace · Dana Potter · GIN Niemtus · Isla Webster & Gabrielle Kaufman · Oscar Dickson · Will Oliver

22 May: Ben Hodge · Bitterroot · Joely Mae Greally & Jasmine Naila Burt · Julie Burrow · Lizzy Owen · Paper People Theatre · Secret Location Theatre Company

6 February: Harley Keasey · J. Edgar Staubsauger · Rachael Gooch · Ray Bubbles · plus special guests Malandra Jacks

See images from these events.

Age Advisory

16+ (aimed at adults, parent/guardian/carer discretion)

Content Warnings

Some works may involve interaction and/or participation; specific warnings will be listed about a week before each event and can be seen here.

Access

Works will occur on Contact’s step-free ground floor in Space 0 and/or bar, and will vary in format — they could be immersive, participatory, roaming, seated, standing, spoken word, visual, etc.

Credits

Social Experiment produced by hÅb; supported by Contact and using public funding by Arts Council England.

Dates & times

  • No Need to Book

  • No Need to Book

You might also like …

  1. Manchester Literature Festival presents Douglas Stuart

    We’re delighted to welcome back to Manchester Literature Festival Booker Prize-winning novelist Douglas Stuart, to discuss his profoundly moving new novel John of John, set on the Isle of Harris. 
    InfoBook now

  2. Less Like Ourselves, More Like Each Other

    Artist and filmmaker Graham Clayton-Chance presents Less Like Ourselves, More Like Each Other, a body of work rooted in queer country and western dance culture. Bringing together his award-winning film Last Dance at the Sundance Stompede,…
    InfoBook now

  3. Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival

    –
    Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation is proud to present the world’s largest youth drama festival. Join us this March for an exhilarating evening of live theatre, featuring a series of unique abridged Shakespeare productions by local…
    InfoBook now