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Presented by Word of Warning + Contact for Works Ahead 2026

Our annual sample of new performance returns to Contact with a new work-in-development from Nathan Birkinshaw…

“Making peace with the fact this might be it.”

An exploration of contentment, led by a man brimming with mediocrity.

Through film, performance, song, and an increasingly questionable process, comes a show that investigates how to find meaning in the mundane — that somehow becomes increasingly more performative itself as time slips by.

Please note: Nathan makes a guest appearance in June’s Social Experiment to show How To Be Content.

Entry

FREE: there’s no ticketing… just turn up to June’s Social Experiment!

Time: Thursday 11 June 2026, Social Experiment starts at 6pm and ends by about 9pm.

Duration: How To Be Content lasts about 45 minutes.

Location: Contact (space 2), Oxford Rd, Manchester M15 6JA.

Access

Age Advisory: 16+ (June’s Social Experiment is aimed at adults, parent/guardian/carer discretion)

Content Warnings: please click here.

Features: a solo performance with varied content including film and music; occurs in Space 2 on the second floor, a studio space with seating.

Queries: please contact Contact via boxoffice@contactmcr.com

Artist

Nathan is a performance artist, comedian, and theatre-maker whose work blends humour with the explorations of being human and the general absurdity of what comes with that responsibility (or lack thereof).
With an unhealthy obsession with the internet, you’re just as likely to find him there as well as showing work in theatres, back rooms of pubs, and having work appearing on BBC Radio.

About

Each year since 2012, Works Ahead has invited artists to dig deeper into work presented at the previous year’s Emergency or other platform event.

A project developed out of the old Method Lab & SeedFund schemes which hÅb ran with greenroom until 2011; Works Ahead has offered 39 small, supported, work-in-development commissions for artists over the past fifteen years — often in partnership with Contact.

Credits

Works Ahead 2026 commissioned by hÅb and Contact; produced by hÅb; supported using public funding by Arts Council England.
Project Mentor: Peader Kirk

How To Be Content
by Nathan Birkinshaw

Websites

worksahead.org

Nathan Birkinshaw — Insta @nathanbirkinshaw · YouTube @nathanbirkinshaw

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