What's On
Manchester Collective x Thick & Tight: Papillons
Saturday 9 May 2026, 8.00pm
RNCM Theatre
Programme
Kaija Saariaho Sept Papillons
CHAINES (Cee Haines) oysters sing of silkworms
Imogen Holst The Fall of the Leaf
Performers
Thick & Tight dance duo
CHAINES live electronics
Laura van der Heijden cello
The Camberwell Incredibles mixed media
About
Part of Inspirational Artists
As their habitats deteriorate, butterflies are losing their colour. How do we appreciate something in a time of loss?
Part performance, part reflection, Papillons invites us into a world where artists respond to music through movement and composition, visual art and conversation.
The boundary-pushing Manchester Collective collaborates with dance-theatre company Thick & Tight and multimedia artist CHAINES for this disarmingly intimate performance.
At its heart is Kaija Saariaho’s Sept Papillons (Seven Butterflies) – an exquisitely brittle and luminous set of seven miniatures for solo cello performed by Laura van der Heijden, one of the leading cellists of her generation.
The Camberwell Incredibles, an arts collective of practising and learning diverse artists, complete the line-up on film.
Weaving haunting electro-acoustic sound worlds, delicate choreography and live visuals together with personal reflections, Papillons celebrates the power of subjectivity and creativity within each of us.
Each performance is captioned and partially audio described and will be followed by a Q&A with the artists.
Papillons is co-created by Manchester Collective, Thick & Tight, CHAINES and Laura van der Heijden. CHAINES’ new work is commissioned by Manchester Collective with support from Hinrichsen Foundation and The Leche Trust. Thick & Tight’s work with the Camberwell Incredibles is supported by Lowry.
Our Inspirational Artists series is graciously supported by The Haworth Trust.
Photo credit: Mike Skelton
Tickets
Full Price £22
Student/Under 26 £14
Promoted by RNCM.
The event will end at approximately 9.20pm.

