ADAM ZANE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Adam is best known for being one of the few out gay actors in Channel 4‘s Queer as Folk, in which he played the role of accident-prone Dane. Other television roles have included: Sunshine, No Angels, Shameless, Fat Friends and the BBC film Strumpet (directed by Danny Boyle). Theatre experience includes Romeo and Juliet at Theatre by the Lake, Jerusalem Syndrome in the Royal Exchange Studio and playing opposite Jim Cartwright in the premiere of his play Prize Night at the Royal Exchange Theatre.
Adam was a lecturer in theatre and visiting director at the University of Salford for over 14 years and directed productions including Mother Clap’s Molly House, The Accrington Pals, Threepenny Opera and numerous verbatim projects including God Hates Fags - the musical.
Adam was Artistic Director for the George House Trust Candlelit Vigil for Manchester Pride for over 10 years before standing down in 2016. He created original verbatim pieces and worked with artists including Sir Ian McKellen, Alison Moyet, Beverly Knight, Heather Small and Julie Hesmondhalgh.
In 2015 and 2016, Adam directed Manchester’s World AIDS Day Vigil and worked with partners the LGBT Foundation, George House Trust, Manchester NHS and Manchester City Council.
Adam has an M.A. in scriptwriting from the University of Salford and is an experienced writer and dramaturg. Plays include Village Voices, Voices+, Article 6.21, Yesterday when I was young, Out/LOUD, Here Comes Tango! and the short play The Pill co-written with Rob Ward for Take Back.
In 2017 he premiered the first part of his new play Jock Night (the first in a trilogy of Jock Nights) and was dramaturg and director of Rob Ward’s play Gypsy Queen.
Adam lives with his husband Dick and is an Ambassador for the George House Trust.
“Adam is professional, innovative and an inspirational figure for young people”
Charlotte Pickles, Manchester Healthy Schools
OUR PATRONS
Hive North is delighted to have the continued support and friendship of our patrons.
Julie Hesmondhalgh
Julie Hesmondhalgh has been a huge supporter of Hive North since our inception in 2004 as Hope Theatre Company. We asked Julie to be Patron not only because her of her work as an actress but because she actively promotes equality and diversity in all her work. As television’s first trangender character in Coronation Street, Julie changed perceptions and challenged attitudes, making Hayley one of the shows most beloved characters.
Julie presented our first Out/LOUD DVD for schools and in 2010 she introduced our production of The Laramie Project – 10 Years Later at The Lowry.
We support Julie’s work with other organisations, including the Sophie Lancaster Foundation, Maundy Relief and Pancreatic Cancer.
Warren Brown
Warren Brown has been a member of Hive North since our first production of The Laramie Project in 2004. He returned to Hope in 2009 to be a part of the premiere production of The Laramie Project – 10 Years Later, playing the part of Aaron McKinney. Warren first worked with Adam Zane as a student at Salford University and Hope gave Warren his first professional acting job.
We asked Warren to be a Patron of Hive North in recognition of his ongoing support and because his journey represents the aims of our company – giving young actors professional experience, nurturing their talents, introducing them to the industry and encouraging them to share their ongoing skills and knowledge with newer members of our company.