Theatre in Liverpool
Theatre show previews and reviews
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Review: ‘Girls Don’t Play Guitars’ At The Royal Court
“Girls, do play guitars! And bass. And drums.” This brilliant show proves it. Girls Don’t Play Guitars, which first played at the Royal Court in 2019, is based on the lives and careers of the relatively unknown four-piece female band, The Liverbirds, who were inspired to take on the boys during the pop boom of the early Sixties, not least because they were at its epicentre. In so doing, they became known in some quarters…
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Sleeping Beauty Panto Coming To The Atkinson In Southport
With just 14 weeks until Christmas, the talented cast of Sleeping Beauty are excited to spread some festive cheer at The Atkinson in Southport, starring Blue Peter presenter and TikTok sensation, Joel M. Running from 6 – 31 December, Joel takes on the role of Presto the Court Jester, showcasing his magical abilities and engaging stage presence to bring extra sparkle and enchantment to his pantomime debut. With a combination of pantomime classics and captivating…
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‘Red’ and ‘Blue’ Plays Announced At Liverpool’s Royal Court
Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre has announced two new shows for 2025 with bookings now open. They are both football themed, but you definitely don’t need to be a football fan to enjoy them. One is the true story about a legendary figure in the history of Liverpool FC; the other is a very much not true story about an iconic Evertonian.The first is a world premiere of a drama that the whole theatre world has been…
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Blue Peter Presenter And TikTok Star, Joel M, To Appear In Sleeping Beauty At The Atkinson
Blue Peter presenter and Tik Tok sensation, Joel M, will star in this year’s pantomime, Sleeping Beauty, at The Atkinson in Southport. This year’s production running from 6 – 31 December promises to deliver a magical and unforgettable experience for the whole family, with Joel M bringing his unique blend of magic, humour and charisma, to the stage. Joel will bring his distinctive style of magic and his engaging stage presence to the role of…
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In Bloom: Dancer Brings Mesmerising Solo Show To Shakespeare North Playhouse
Connoisseurs of avant-garde dance and music are in for a treat next week. Celebrated Swiss-born Aline Costa, a performer and choreographer, presents her latest work In Bloom at Shakespeare North Playhouse. Following on from her past visceral work, such as Streets Of Apples and Woman Without, In Bloom features evocative imagery, compelling narratives, and dark humour, all of which transports the audience into an imaginatively bizarre world. In Bloom also features original music by Liverpool…
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New LGBTQIA+ Shared Reading Taster Sessions Announced At Liverpool’s Everyman
The Reader is excited to be launching new LGBTQIA+ inclusive Shared Reading taster sessions at Liverpool Everyman. Two drop-in sessions will accompany a debut play set in the Aids epidemic, Tell Me How It Ends, by Tasha Dowd, agraduate of the award-winning Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) programme. These pre-show sessions on 19 and 20 June are open to everyone and FREE to attend. At Shared Reading groups people talk, connect and share experiences using stories,…
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Theatre Review: Twelfth Night at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Warrington’s theatre company, Not Too Tame, have provided the Prescot venue with a real marmite of a production. Some of you are going to love it, whilst others, not so. But what can’t be doubted is the level of commitment that the ensemble of the cast bring to their performance. The play’s setting shifts from Illyria to one of a musical industry setting, one which seems to dwindle in importance as the play progresses. But…
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Embark On The High Seas Adventure With Pirates & Whips: The Cage of Men At Hope Street Theatre
Liverpool get ready to set sail on a rollicking voyage with Pirates & Whips: The Cage of Men, a brand new adult comedy theatre show that promises to be a riotous adventure filled with strong female pirates who dominate the high seas…and men! Written by Barry Levy and the production team consisting of Jennifer Keeley and Caitlin Novak, the adventure follows the journey of five fearless female pirates – Kendell, Alexa, Blunder, Sin, and Chains…
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Liverpool Arab Arts Festival Returns This July
Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) – the longest running festival of Arab arts and culture in the UK – returns for its 22nd year, from 12 – 21 July. LAAF exists to support and champion creatives from across the Arab region and its diaspora, in the belief that art and creativity have the power to express a shared humanity. The festival will celebrate Liverpool’s unique identity; a city, with a global community and brimming with…
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The Netherley Hillbillies Take The Stage At The Royal Court
“Come listen to a story ’bout a man name Jed, Found it really hard to keep a roof over his head. Then one day he escaped from being poor When the lottery machine spat out six of his balls.” Jed, Lisa, Elly May and mother-in-law Renie aren’t used to being rich. They were always rich in spirit and all that but now they’re proper rich. Like ‘big house in Formby’ rich. Jed has got the rags to riches…
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Lovestruck: Immersive Theatre Show To Get Hearts Racing This Summer
“Ready for love? Well look no further! Lovestruck have been matching people like you for what feels like an eternity. Using their state of the art hypno-DNA technology, they’re certain you’ll meet someone you find drop-dead gorgeous!Lovestruck are coming to your area with an exclusive event to get hearts pumping, and brains fizzing. Boasting a 100% ‘perfect match’ success rate, they guarantee you’ll never go on another date again…” This summer, Paperwork Theatre presents Lovestruck, a multi-location…
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Olivier Award-Winning Musical Heading to Liverpool
Celebrating 14 years as an unmissable Edinburgh Fringe phenomenon, after a successful West End run and honoured with the Olivier Award, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical is coming to Liverpool Playhouse. From Thursday 9 May to Saturday 11 May, audiences will be treated to an ingenious blend of comedy, musical theatre, and spontaneous brilliance. Direct from London’s West End, Showstopper! The Improvised Musical won the Olivier Award for Best Entertainment and Family Show in 2016, completely…
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Drop The Dead Donkey Brings the Newsroom to Playhouse
The original cast and writers of the BAFTA and Emmy award-winning TV comedy reunite for a brand-new stage adaptation of Drop The Dead Donkey: The Reawakening! It’s coming to Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 14 May to Saturday 18 May. This time, the Globelink News team is not only back but also taking the stage live for the very first time. Bursting with razor-sharp wit and classic British humour, this brand-new production reimagines the iconic TV…
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Liverpool Everyman Celebrates 60th Year with Revival of Willy Russell’s Shirley Valentine
Willy Russell’s one-woman show, Shirley Valentine, comes home to the Liverpool Everyman as part of the theatre’s 60th birthday celebrations from 1st to 29th March 2025. Originally commissioned and staged by the Everyman, the role of Shirley will be played by Liverpool actor Helen Carter in a revival directed by Stephen Fletcher. Willy Russell is one of the most celebrated and widely produced writers of his generation, with works regularly produced across the globe. Willy has…
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In Conversation – Tom Cain (97+ Playwright)
In a powerful new theatrical drama titled 97+, playwright Tom Cain delves into the profound impact of the Hillsborough disaster. The play explores the ongoing fight for justice and the enduring trauma faced by survivors. For our latest interview, we sat down with Tom to understand his inspiration for 97+ and the significance of representing such a sensitive event on stage. Liverpool Noise: Can you tell us about the inspiration behind 97+ and what drove…
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Summer Season of Open-Air Theatre In Calderstones Park Brings Liverpool’s 1940s ‘Garden Theatre’ Back To Life
The Reader charity, based in Liverpool’s Calderstones Park, has announced a season of open-air theatre shows for the summer featuring Shakespearean favourites and Sherlock Holmes. The performances will bring one of the city’s hidden historic gems back to life. The Art-Deco style theatre stage built in 1947 hosted everything from performing dogs and ventriloquists to opera and award ceremonies, and is celebrated in a new book and podcast. The summer season of theatre will begin on Thursday 18…
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West End And Broadway Hit The Kite Runner Returns To Liverpool
Bringing Khaled Hosseini’s internationally bestselling novel to life, The Kite Runner direct from its acclaimed Broadway season is set to make a triumphant return to the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 23 April to Saturday 27 April 2024. Originally produced by Nottingham Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, The Kite Runner first captivated Liverpool audiences in 2013 and returned as part of a UK tour in 2018. It garnered rave reviews and deeply moved audiences with…
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Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase Is Back For 10th Instalment
Designed to provide a platform for black and brown comedy and entertainment talent, the Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase will celebrate its 10th instalment next month at Liverpool’s Royal Court on 11 April. Run in partnership with Boisterous Theatre Co. and founded by comedian and resident host Che Burnley, the showcase began at Edinburgh Festival in 2016 before finding a regular home in the Liverpool theatre five years ago. Over that time, the showcase has provided…
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Up Next Festival Returns To Unity Theatre For 2024
Unity Theatre’s annual celebration of Merseyside artists – Up Next Festival – is back for 2024, providing a two-week long programme featuring brand-new shows from Merseyside’s most exciting artists and companies. Following an extended break in 2023, Up Next Festival 2024 has been hotly anticipated on Merseyside and is a welcome return of a real Unity Theatre calendar favourite. Up Next Festival has been made possible through Unity’s Open Call Crowdfunder 2023 Donors and as a result…
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Immersive Frankenstein Spectacle Arrives At Playhouse This April
A retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, crafted by the innovative theatre company, imitating the dog, merges digital technology with compelling live theatre at the Liverpool Playhouse from Wednesday 17 to Saturday 20 April. This modern adaptation of Frankenstein, produced by imitating the dog, follows their thought-provoking and boundary-pushing productions at the Playhouse, including Heart of Darkness and Macbeth. It’s co-produced with Leeds Playhouse, with whom they have previously collaborated on the critically-acclaimed recreation of…
