‘In Times of Blood and Crime’ is an artists’ seminar and networking event that will bring 80 theatre practitioners from the UK together with leading theatre practitioners from places of conflict, including Iraq, Kosovo, Rwanda, Northern Ireland, Palestine and Colombia. The event will take place on the evening of April 8th 2005 and is part of a two day international practitioner seminar facilitated by the Drama Department, University of Manchester.‘In Times of Blood and Crime’ will begin with short formal presentations by international theatre practitioners. These presentations will be interspersed with performances of drama and poetry exploring the experience of refugees in Manchester; original devised pieces that respond to themes of war and displacement. The presentations will be followed by a buffet and an extended opportunity for practitioners to talk informally. The aim of the event is to generate in-depth and provocative discussions about theatre practice in places of war that will inspire future practice in the UK and internationally.