British Youth Music Theatre will present the world premiere of The Clockmaker’s City in Manchester this summer.
The brand-new musical will run at Z-arts from 31 July to 2 August, marking BYMT’s first ever performances at the venue.
Written by Jonathan Ainscough and Yshani Perinpanayagam, with choreography by Paul Smethurst and musical direction by Amy Hsu, the production is set in a meticulously ordered metropolis where time and productivity are governed by a single clock.
When that clock is pushed beyond its limits and begins to fail, the city of Mainspring is thrown into turmoil, exposing mysteries at the heart of its Central Horologium.
The show features a cinematic, percussive score and dynamic movement, performed by a company of 38 young performers and musicians from across the UK.
Audiences are invited to engage with big questions around constant productivity, community care and how societies can work for everyone, within what is described as an epic and heartfelt story about courage and change.
Jonathan Ainscough and Yshani Perinpanayagam said: “We can’t wait to transport audiences to Mainspring, where family bonds run deep and volatile, where time itself can become a commodity, and where the big, difficult questions of life are always left to tomorrow. The Clockmaker’s City asks what’s the human cost of a world measured by the value of output and productivity, and when individual needs and preferences are so often in opposition, how can a society work for everyone? We can’t think of anyone better-placed to bring this epic story and cinematic score to life than the brilliant cast, musicians and creatives of BYMT!”
BYMT Young Company member and Manchester local Bea Ferguson added: “I’m thrilled that BYMT is bringing The Clockmaker’s City to Manchester, reaching across the country to showcase the future of the performing arts industry.
“Manchester is famous for doing things its own way and the story of The Clockmaker’s City really resonates with me as it represents the journey we, as young people, go through to discover and define who we truly want to be.
“As a performer with BYMT I love how we are trusted by the writers to bring to life their ideas and express them with our own freedom.”
Emily Gray, BYMT Creative Director, said: “We are thrilled to be working with the fabulous writing duo of Yshani and Jonathan and returning to Manchester, this year to the family friendly Z-arts venue. When we first took the idea of The Clockmaker’s City to our Young Company Panel, they were immediately intrigued and leapt at the chance to explore the concept of controlling and changing time. The world of this show is enchanting, and we have a brilliant team of young people and creative professionals ready to bring it to life through exhilarating storytelling, movement and music.”
The Clockmaker’s City is one of six BYMT premieres planned for 2026, alongside productions in Hull, Exeter, Birmingham and London.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
