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Arts and Culture
From Runcorn to the Revolution: Bethany Kate on Life in Hamilton
There’s something deeply special about coming home — and for Bethany Kate, a gifted musical theatre performer born in Liverpool and raised in Runcorn, stepping into Hamilton at the iconic Liverpool Empire is nothing short of magical. Now part of the blockbuster production as an off-stage swing, Bethany brings versatility, tenacity, and passion to one of the most demanding roles in musical theatre. Steve Kinrade caught up with her to talk about what it means…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: Afloat At Unity Theatre
When Theatre Becomes Testimony: Afloat Challenges, Moves, and Uplifts Tonight’s performance of Afloat at the Liverpool Unity Theatre was a powerful testament to the potential of theatre as both social commentary and communal catharsis. Devised by director Phoebe McSweeney through a series of workshops with asylum seekers and those working alongside them, Afloat is a moving, dystopian vision that holds a mirror up to contemporary Britain—one that dares to ask: what if we were the…
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation – David Booth MRSS
Guiding viewer’s perception beyond the visual… David Booth MRSS – a distinguished member of the Royal Society of Sculptors – stands as a significant voice in contemporary art. Holding the esteemed MRSS accreditation, a mark of established artists contributing meaningfully to the language of sculpture, Booth’s diverse practice spans a compelling range of mediums. From striking sculptures and immersive installations to intricate ceramics, evocative paintings, and innovative digital artwork, his creations demonstrate a profound engagement…
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Music
In Conversation – Credits
Credits Roll in: Reinvention, Resilience and the Sound of Something Real… You might already have heard whispers about one of the most exciting new names on the local music scene – and if not, it won’t be long. Credits are a five-piece with serious pedigree: sharp musicianship, genuine authenticity, and a set of influences that run deep. In their first ever interview under their new moniker, the band sat down with Liverpool Noise’s Steve Kinrade…
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation – Jason Thompson
Sacred Shed Doors: Jason Thompson’s Paradoxical Vision of Art and Object Liverpool Noise’s Creative Spotlight shines for April on Jason Thompson, a Liverpool native with international acclaim. Thompson’s art, a compelling blend of the sacred and the mundane, manifests as richly layered paintings on found wooden panels. His training under Roger Ackling at Chelsea College of Art informs his intuitive, process- driven approach, where enamel paints and varnish become tools for a continuous cycle of…
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Music
In Conversation – Esme Bridie
Angry Girl, Honest Songs: Esme’s Emotional Core… Esme Bridie, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist living in Liverpool, presents a captivating dichotomy. Beneath her seemingly sweet exterior lies a self-proclaimed ‘angry girl,’ a raw honesty that permeates her music. With intricate guitar lines and deeply emotive vocals, Esme crafts songs that resonate with an intimate intensity. Her live performances further amplify this, drawing audiences into her personal world before unleashing the power of her driving band arrangements.…
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Arts and Culture
In Conversation – Actress And Playwright, Katherine Senior
During World War II, a group of women defied expectations, taking to the skies to ferry vital aircraft. Their extraordinary true stories, marked by courage, loss, and unwavering hope, form the heart of Spitfire Girls. This new play, a co-production by Tilted Wig and MAST Mayflower Productions, is currently touring the UK, landing at Shakespeare North Playhouse from April 23rd-26th, 2025. Liverpool Noise‘s Steve Kinrade sat down with actress and playwright Katherine Senior to delve…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: The Intrusion At Unity Theatre
Performance and Precision: A Masterclass in Immersive Theatrical Storytelling The anticipatory atmosphere at Unity Theatre, Liverpool was palpable, heightened by an unusual pre-show ritual. Upon entering, each audience member was handed a slip of paper, a stark invitation to confront mortality by documenting their imagined final moments before a world-ending catastrophe. This seemingly simple act proved to be a masterstroke, a subtle yet profound prelude that would resonate throughout the evening’s theatrical experience, embedding the…
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Arts and Culture
The Intrusion: Examining Climate Crisis Through Comedy – Finding Hope In The Bleakness of Extinction
Bric à Brac Theatre and Told by an Idiot present The Intrusion, a dark comedy exploring climate crisis and survival after civilisation’s end. Premiering at Leeds Playhouse (March 1-8) before touring northern venues, the Kafkaesque play uses humour and original music to examine extinction. Developed with experts and community insights, the production features Kitty Devlin (Bridgerton), Alex Hinson, and Siobhan Cha Cha. Directed by Anna Marshall, it offers an “anarchic look” at a desperate situation,…
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation – Jon Barraclough
“To teach is to learn.” The artistic journey of Jon Barraclough is remarkably diverse – spanning drawing, photography, film, teaching, and research. Born in Bradford, he has lived and worked in numerous cities, including Newcastle, London, New York, Manchester, and now Liverpool and North Yorkshire. He has held significant positions, such as the Director of The Liverpool School of Art, and have been instrumental in initiatives like Drawing Paper UK and the Drawing(Paper)Show. His current…
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Arts and Culture
In Conversation – Professor Stephen Davismoon (Angel Field Festival Director)
At Liverpool Hope University’s Creative Campus in Everton, the Angel Field Festival brings a vibrant blend of international and local artistry to life. Building on the esteemed Cornerstone Festival, Angel Field offers a rich tapestry of music, theatre, dance, film, and visual art. Beyond the campus, the festival weaves its way through Liverpool, partnering with cultural institutions to share its diverse program. With a warm welcome, Angel Field strives to make exceptional arts accessible to…
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Theatre in Liverpool
A Play Within A Play, Within A Dying Moment: ‘Dead Mom Play’ at Unity Theatre
Dead Mom Play, at Liverpool’s Unity Theatre, dared to confront the raw, uncomfortable edges of grief and artistic creation, and did so with a surprising blend of dark humour and theatrical self-awareness. What initially seemed a straightforward narrative of a young playwright facing his mother’s impending death quickly unfurled into a meta- theatrical exploration of the very act of storytelling and creative performance. The premise, a young playwright grappling with his dying mother and the…
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Arts and Culture
In Conversation – Lisa Allen, CEO & Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse
When Lisa Allen took the reins as CEO & Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse in September 2024, she stepped into a venue with a strong foundation and a passionate community behind it. With a deep appreciation for the theatre’s role in both artistic excellence and local engagement, Lisa is leading the Playhouse into an exciting new chapter. In this interview, we discuss her first impressions of the venue and the town’s rich history of…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake At The Empire Theatre
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, a groundbreaking reimagining of the classic ballet, continues to resonate decades after its debut as we saw tonight at the Liverpool Empire. This 30th-anniversary production of Swan Lake, while perhaps less shocking than its 1995 premiere, retains its anarchic spirit and emotional core, offering a potent exploration of family dynamics, repressed desire, and the search for identity. Bourne’s genius lies in his ability to blend the familiar narrative with a fresh,…
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Theatre in Liverpool
In Conversation – Ben Blais And Griffin Bellah, Dead Mom Play
Have you ever experienced a play that made you laugh and cry in equal measure? Dead Mom Play, a dark comedy about a young man confronting his mother’s death, has resonated with audiences and critics alike. With reviews highlighting its “funny and moving” nature (Edinburgh Festival Fringe) it’s a play that promises to stay in the mind for a long time. You are highly recommended to catch a performance at the Unity Theatre on Saturday…
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Arts and Culture
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation – Ruth Dillon
Ruth Dillon is a multi-disciplinary artist working across photography, film, stop motion animation, and 3D installation. Her concept-driven work explores collective and living community memories, often addressing social issues. Beginning her career in photography and videography, including documenting the first National Aids Day event on Merseyside, she quickly became involved in socially engaged projects. She honed her film and darkroom skills, even contributing to the UK’s first Mobile studio for communities. A short film she…
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Music
In Conversation – Luce Mawdsley
Liverpool-based composer and guitarist Luce Mawdsley (they/them) crafts sonic tapestries woven from progressive experimentation and poetic inspiration. An autistic, nonbinary artist, Mawdsley’s work fearlessly explores the intersections of neurodivergence, mental health, and queerness, transmuting personal experience into subversive narratives of gender, sexuality, place, and identity. Their creative process is a journey of discovery, allowing the music to organically emerge as a landscape shaped by curiosity and intuitive intention. Mawdsley’s latest offering, Northwest & Nebulous, released…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: The Merchant of Venice 1936 At The Playhouse Theatre
A single candle flickers, a fragile point of light against the encroaching darkness. Hebrew prayers, ancient and resonant, murmur through the air, a whisper of tradition in a world about to be torn apart. Then, the illusion shatters. This is not the gilded cage of Shakespeare’s Venice, but the grimy reality of London’s East End, 1936. This production of The Merchant of Venice, a bold and unsettling reimagining, is a theatrical time machine, transporting us…
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Theatre in Liverpool
Review: OutHaus – Tenderfoot Theatre Company At Edge Hill University Arts Centre
OutHaus, a work-in-progress production by Tenderfoot Theatre Company, embodies a raw, exhilarating energy that belies its developmental status. This isn’t your typical tentative workshop performance, fraught with nervous glances and hesitant line deliveries. Instead, this 90-minute theatrical romp pulsates with a vibrant, infectious enthusiasm, grabbing the audience from the first moment and refusing to let go. It’s a testament to the company’s commitment to dynamic storytelling and a clear passion for the themes they explore.…
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Culture in Liverpool
Creative Spotlight: In Conversation – EB Lauren
Liverpool and Merseyside has a rich history of being a vibrant hub of creativity, home to artists whose work reflects the region’s rich culture and diversity. This new monthly column celebrates local talent by featuring a creative artist whose journey and craft has inspired and captivated across the region and internationally. Each article will explore the personal stories that shape their artistic style, uncovering how their background, experiences, and influences contribute to their unique vision.…
