Joy Division Play New Dawn Fades Set For Coro Stage Next Month.
A stage play exploring the story of Joy Division and Manchester is set to take over The Coro in Ulverston next month.
The production follows the story of four young men who came together during the punk revolution of 1970s Manchester before forming Joy Division. It explores the band's rapid rise from the city's music scene to international recognition, with lead singer Ian Curtis at the centre of the story.
The play also examines what happened following Curtis's tragic death in 1980, when the remaining members of Joy Division went on to achieve worldwide success as New Order. The production combines drama, music and historical storytelling to explore the people and events surrounding the band.
Written by award-winning playwright Brian Gorman, the production brings together elements of Joy Division's story with the wider history of Manchester. Gorman also portrays Factory Records founder Tony Wilson, while Josh Lonsdale returns to the role of Ian Curtis.
The show features a soundtrack inspired by the iconic music of the late 1970s, including Joy Division and other influential artists from the era. The production aims to capture both the energy of Manchester's emerging post-punk scene and the more personal experiences behind the band's success.
The story also introduces a number of historical figures connected to Manchester and its cultural history, creating a wider picture of the city and the influences surrounding Joy Division. The result is described as a mixture of love, passion, grief and music.
New Dawn Fades originally debuted at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in 2013 and has since continued to tour venues across the country. Previous performances have received strong reactions from audiences and critics, including praise for the production's emotional approach to the band's story.
For Joy Division fans, the Ulverston performance provides an opportunity to revisit the band's history through live theatre. The production is also likely to appeal to people interested in 1970s Manchester, post-punk music and British cultural history.
The role of Ian Curtis is again being played by Josh Lonsdale, whose performance has previously received praise. The production's creative team has returned for the 2026 tour following the success of its previous touring production.
The show will be held at The Coro in Ulverston on Friday, September 18 at 7.30pm, with doors opening at 6.45pm. Tickets are priced at £32.50 including a souvenir programme, £28.50 standard and £27 for concessions, with booking fees included.
The Coro has become an important venue for bringing touring theatre, music and entertainment to audiences across the South Lakes. Hosting New Dawn Fades adds another distinctive production to its programme for 2026.The production's combination of live performance, music and storytelling is designed to give audiences a fresh perspective on Joy Division rather than simply presenting a conventional tribute show.
Joy Division's influence continues to be felt decades after the band's brief career, with their music remaining highly regarded by fans and musicians. Their story has also continued to inspire books, films, documentaries and stage productions.
For audiences in Ulverston, the upcoming performance offers a chance to experience that story in an intimate theatre setting while hearing music associated with one of the most important bands to emerge from the UK's post-punk movement.
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