Blending humour, drama and music, New Dawn Fades charts the band’s rapid rise from the Manchester clubs to the brink of international success, with Ian Curtis at the centre of it all — a young man grappling with fame, creativity and personal turmoil. Following Curtis’ tragic death in 1980, the remaining members would go on to achieve worldwide success as New Order.
Written by the award-winning Brian Gorman, New Dawn Fades guides you through the heart and soul of both the band and the city, introducing historical figures, including Roman General, Julius Agricola, Dr John Dee, Friedrich Engels, Paul Morley, and Pete Shelley of Buzzcocks! The result is a spellbinding journey of love, passion, grief, and of course music, drawing inspiration from the enigmatic lyrics of Ian Curtis, with a soundtrack featuring iconic hits of the late 1970’s UK music scene, including of course Joy Division.
A smash hit when it debuted at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival in July 2013, New Dawn Fades has continued to wow audiences across the country, playing to capacity crowds and standing ovations.
“It’s certainly the closest I’ll ever get to seeing Joy Division… I could not recommend this musical play more highly.”
– The Punk Site“A story about ordinary people responding to extraordinary times—and that those times still echo through every note, every word, every flicker of light onstage.”
– Ken Foster (Plus One)“So fascinating, and (Josh Lonsdale) who played Ian Curtis was brilliant!”
– Jayne Middlemiss (Virgin Radio)“New Dawn Fades is a spellbinding and brilliant play about one of the greatest bands of all time. I totally urge anyone left out there who believes in music to go and see it”
John Robb“Highly entertaining, poignant, and often very funny. Brian Gorman played an uncanny version of the late great Tony Wilson”
– Will Sergeant (Echo and The Bunnymen)“High risk, high reward… a bold piece of theatre that captures the atmosphere of late-70s Manchester and the creative spark that surrounded Joy Division.”
– Manchester Evening News