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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: The Wizard of Oz At St Helens Theatre Royal
Directed by Chantelle Joseph this vibrant production of The Wizard of Oz embraces comfort and clarity, steering away from radical reinterpretation to present a heartwarming and family-friendly adaptation of the beloved tale. It captures the essence of emotional authenticity while weaving a coherent narrative that resonates across generations. The swift pacing of the performance skillfully captivates younger audience members, complemented by tender moments of reflection that appeal to adults, fostering a rich emotional landscape throughout…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: Lost Atoms Liverpool Playhouse Theatre
Lost Atoms is a tightly woven, emotionally resonant drama that delves deeply into the complex themes of memory, identity, and the fragile nature of human relationships. The play unravels the intricate ways in which past experiences shape our present selves and profoundly influence the connections we forge with one another. This production masterfully combines intimate storytelling with inventive physicality, resulting in a performance that feels both immediate and subtly unsettling, inviting the audience to engage…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: Shake It Up Baby at the Epstein Theatre
The Epstein Theatre’s world premiere of Shake It Up Baby revisits one of the most unique chapters in popular music history — The Beatles’ apprenticeship in the clubs of Hamburg — and does so with an infectious vitality that makes the evening as much a gig as it is a play. Rather than attempting to pin down the precise chronology of events, Stephen Fletcher’s production embraces atmosphere and energy, treating the story as a memory,…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: Night Collar at St Helens Theatre Royal
Having been shown previously in 2010 and 2011 at the Theatre Royal, one of Merseyside’s favourite theatres, Night Collar returns and sweeps you into the dark heart of Christmas Eve, where a solitary taxi serves as a portal to a city’s hidden rhythms. Over the course of this performance, playwrights Tony Furlong and Jimmy Power, under the direction of Regal Ents. Chantelle Joseph guide us through skimpily lit streets, brash encounters, and fleeting glimpses of…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: Stayin’ Alive at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre
A Powerful, Darkly Comic Dive into Grief and Self-Discovery. Written and presented by Victoria Oxley with support from Emma Bispham ‘Stayin Alive’ ran for two nights at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre (24 & 25 September). If there’s one thing you can’t accuse Stayin’ Alive of, it’s pulling its punches. Victoria Oxley’s debut play, a dark comedy imbued with raw honesty, doesn’t shy away from the kind of emotional complexity that most theatre scripts tend to…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell at Liverpool Playhouse
Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell tells its story without words. On a small Liverpool Playhouse stage, solitary characters leave cramped rooms and gather in a smoky 1930s Soho pub. Each dancer seeks connection, and the tight space makes every hope and heartbreak feel immediate. The performance unfolds a wordless dance drama set in the underpasses and back streets of 1930s London. Inspired by Patrick Hamilton’s interwar tales, it tracks a cast of solitary figures escaping…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: I Am Steven Gerrard, The Epstein Theatre
I Am Steven Gerrard opened at the Epstein Theatre 11 September an ideal venue for not only this highly personal performance but for the wider artistic scene in Liverpool. The story boldly captures the journey of Shane, an unwavering supporter of Liverpool Football Club. His fervent desire to emulate his hero, Steven Gerrard, propels him into an emotionally charged exploration that is both compelling and profound. The play masterfully weaves together humour and honest introspection,…
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Music
Flat Caps, Folk Tunes & Belly Laughs: The Lancashire Hotpots Light Up St Helens
If you’ve ever wondered what happens when traditional folk music collides with a stand-up routine in flat caps, the answer came loud and clear at the Theatre Royal in St Helens. As a part of their uniquely original Definitely Gravy tour The Lancashire Hotpots—St Helens’ very own folk-comedy heroes—returned to their hometown stage for a night that proved once again why they’ve built a cult following across the North and beyond. The Homecoming Spirit There was…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: Picnic at Hanging Rock, The Hope Street Theatre
On August 9th and 10th, The Hope Street Theatre showcased Tom Wright’s poignant adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s seminal 1967 novel, Picnic at Hanging Rock. Set in the enchanting yet eerie confines of a small intimate theatre, this intimate production captivates audiences with not just a narrative of loss and intrigue but also offers a profound reflection on innocence and the unfathomable depths of the human experience. The grim yet beautiful tale, which revolves around the…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Meet the Stars of Riverdance 30 Ahead of the Liverpool Empire Run
Riverdance 30: The New Generation is set to open at the Liverpool Empire Theatre from 29 August to 2 September 2025. This special anniversary tour celebrates three decades of the iconic show that first took the world by storm with its explosive blend of traditional Irish music and dance. This new production features innovative choreography, new costumes, and state-of-the-art lighting. A cast of new young performers bring fresh energy to the legacy whilst keeping the…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: The Croft At Liverpool Playhouse
Stepping into the Liverpool Playhouse foyer, there’s an electricity in the air that perfectly mirrors the world of Ali Milles’ haunting drama. Set in a crumbling crofter’s hut on the remote Applecross peninsula, two friends, Laura and Suzanne, arrive seeking respite—only to be drawn into a web of grief, identity and unsettling echoes from the Highland Clearances. The production runs from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 July 2025, clocks in at 2 hours 5 minutes…
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Music
The Liverpool Songbook: A City’s Soundtrack Brought to Life At Liverpool Philharmonic
From timeless Merseybeat anthems to enchanting synth-pop classics, The Liverpool Songbook emerged as more than just a concert; it was a fervent celebration of the city’s pulsating musical spirit, artfully presented within the resplendent architecture of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Under the skilled direction of conductor Richard Balcombe, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra enveloped the audience in lush orchestral textures and intricate arrangements that breathed new life into Liverpool’s most cherished songs. Each familiar…
