Sophie Willan
she/her Contact PatronSophie Willan is a sharp, eccentric and provocative multi-award-winning writer, producer, comedian and actor from Bolton. Her BAFTA-showered BBC comedy Alma’s Not Normal draws on her history of care and escort work and has its own history with Contact’s rehearsal and performance spaces. Alma’s audition scene was filmed in Contact’s main theatre space and Sophie’s precursory show Branded (2017) was developed and performed there before taking the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by storm. In the formative years of her career, Sophie was a member of Contact Young Company and co-founder of Contact’s long-time friends, theatre/cabaret group Eggs Collective.
“Contact is more than an arts venue. It’s a home and a community where new artists and young people are listened to, nurtured and expertly developed in a way that no other venue does. I learnt so much about myself and my practice growing up in that building throughout my twenties. And I’m so excited to now be a patron, who will have the privilege and joy of watching and supporting the next generation of voices at Contact as they become leaders, activists and creative spearheads.”
Related items
Nordoff and Robbins Music Therapy partners with Contact to support music programmes offered to young disabled people in Manchester
20 September 2023The UK’s largest music therapy charity, Nordoff and Robbins, has today announced a partnership with Manchester based multidisciplinary arts venue, Contact, which will see a Nordoff and Robbins trained music therapist placed in residence…Baga Chipz 'Chip Off The Old Block' Tour
After the success of the ‘Material Girl’ and ‘Much Betta!’ tours, Baga Chipz is Back! Bigger, louder and MUCH BETTA than ever! Join Baga and friends this autumnas she rocks up to a town near you! Expect an evening of live vocals; belting…Our Community Space Hire Applications Are Now Open
11 October 2023Contact is a multi-arts venue that invests in the next generation. A big part of this is partnering with other organisations, offering space in-kind to theatre companies and emerging artists, as well as creating lasting relationships which…