Manchester's 24:7 Theatre Festival was founded in 2004 as a showcase for new plays, as well as for up-and-coming acting and directing talent. It has since become a key event on the Manchester arts calendar.

A week before this year's 24:7, we spoke to co-founder David Slack together with the festival's general manager Annika Edge in Manchester about an eventful year for the organisation since the 2014 event.

The 2015 24:7 Theatre Festival Big Festival Weekend will take place at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama and the surrounding areas from 24 to 26 July 2015.

For more information about all of the events and how to book for them, see www.247theatrefestival.co.uk.