By Jessica Marshall
Liverpool Theatre Festival is back and ready to entertain Liverpool in 2022. The festival first made an appearance in 2020, with the intent to boost Liverpool’s creative sector after the devastating aftermath of Covid-19. With over 4,000 festival goers in 2021 and over 200 participants, the festival is going from strength to strength.
Liverpool Theatre Festival will take place from 31 August to 11 September, in the beautiful venue of St Luke’s Bombed Out Church to create a magical backdrop to a range of fantastic plays, comedy, cabaret and more.
Liverpool Theatre Festival 2022 Full Line Up
I Wish My Life Where A Musical (31 August)
Performed by a talented west end cast, kickstarting the festival off is this comedic extravaganza which walks you through life in the theatre and all the mishaps that could happen on stage. Hilarious and heart-warming, it’ll have you laughing in your seat.
Times: 6pm & 8pm
Tickets: £18
Fear And Misery Of The Third Reich (1 September)
Starring Liam Powell Berry, this show will guide you through life in a typical German household set in the 1930’s when Hitler shook the nation. You will get first-hand insight into the fear that lived within German households and the impact of the war on the country.
Times: 7:30pm
Tickets: £20
Laughterhouse Comedy (2 September)
Comedians Mick Miller, Tom Wrigglesworth, and Duncan Oakley and host Chris Cairns have teamed up to bring to you a night of scouse comedy and a barrel of laughs. Prepare to be entertained by this hilarious trio and treat yourself to a night you won’t forget.
Time: 6pm & 8:30pm
Tickets: £22
Not Drunk But Disorderly (3 September)
With a 5-star rating, Megan Hindley and Beth Amos are back with their two-woman comedic act. Their characters Howard and Jeffrey find themselves in a murder mystery that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and choking down laughter the next. Hilarious and unique, it’s not a show to miss.
Times: 5pm
Tickets: £18
Holy Moly Cabaret (3 September)
Hosted by the mega-talented Nana Funk, Holy Moly Cabaret presents to you a night of music, comedy, burlesque, and circus. Starring award-winning comedy musicians, Jollyboat and Liverpool’s own glamour queen, Millie Dollar, and all presented in the stunning surroundings of the Bombed Out Church.
Times: 7:30pm
Tickets: £20
The Wind In The Willows (4 September)
Set in the wild woods, following the stories of woodland creatures Mole, Ratty and Badger and their adventures, from picnics to fun with friends. This story is brought to life on stage, combined with folk-rock tunes to entertain your little ones for the day. Don’t miss out on this fun performance.
Times: 12:00 noon
Tickets: Adult- £14, Children- £10
Ma Joyce’s Tales From The Parlour (4 September)
Written and performed by Victoria Evaristo and directed by Angela Ekaette Michaels, this performance brings to you the ups and downs of motherhood and a humorous perspective of Liverpool’s social, economic, and political status. Ma Joyce brings us back in time to her childhood set in the Welsh countryside and takes us on a journey through her romantic affairs and her trip to Nigeria.
Times: 3pm
Tickets: £18
Venus Rising (5 September)
This play follows the story of a writer who discovers a newfound talent for erotic fiction and has created a successful life for himself…yet he has a deep hatred for everything in it. A modern love story that takes you through themes of loss, regret, and uncertainty. Will James gets his happy ending after all? You’ll have to come to find out.
Times: 6pm & 8:30pm
Tickets: £22
The Crown Duels – Gangs Of Hope (6 September)
Two rival gangs go head-to-head, set in Liverpool post-war in a world full of poverty, crime, and hunger. The High Rip gang and The Logwood Gang have taken over the city and installed fear into its inhabitants that even the police are too terrified to intervene. This play follows a criminal investigation of missing jewels and drug dealing in the city. When the reward for finding them is the title for King or Queen of the city, people will do anything they can to win. Even murder.
Times: 7:30pm
Tickets: £18
Stop The World, We’re Getting Off (7 September)
Welcome you to Clapham South tube station – home to the last five survivors of the climate crisis. Ava and Cayden are having a baby, but with the oxygen dwindling, can they come together and stabilise their living situation, or will someone pay the ultimate price? Combining climate activism with dynamic storytelling, they use a range of creative practices to ensure their productions tell sustainable stories using sustainable methods.
Times: 8pm
Tickets: £18
Opera Beneath The Stars (8 September)
Absolute Opera presents to you this September a night of magnificent music, set under the starry night sky. With national and international performers such as Soprano Leigh Rhianon Coggins, Tenor Roy Locke, and Mezzo Soprano Augusta Knopov, joined by Per Nielsen on the piano, it is set to be an enchanting evening. The nations most well-loved songs will be performed such as music from the Grand Opera and Modern Classical hits. Opera lovers will not be disappointed.
Times: 7:30pm
Tickets: £28
97+ A Drama Based On The 1989 Hillsborough Disaster (9 September)
Written and directed by Tom Cain, this play is based on the tragic real-life disaster at Hillsborough which led to 97 lives lost and many injured. Following the story of Hillsborough survivors, John and Steve, this performance takes us along with their battle of the trauma they endure in everyday life and the mental health issues they struggle with daily. The two characters find each other due to their shared experience and take us through their journey to justice.
Times: 6:00pm or 8:30pm
Tickets: £20
The Forgotten Forest (10 September)
The Forgotten Forest is a children’s performance which takes us along on a group of furry friends quest to saving their habitat. It includes real life themes of pollution and the effect it has on the world and animals, celebrating the power of change, friendship, and the importance of a healthy environment. Come along to find out if the animals will end up as the queens servants or if they find a new place to call home!
Times: 12:00 noon
Tickets: Adults- £12, Children- £10
Dame Fanny & The Starlets (10 September)
Drag galore, this family-friendly drag show is sure to entertain. Fabulous makeup and stunning outfits, come and join Dame Fanny De Faux the magnificent mystique alongside Brooke Spears and Iva bouquet, two incredible performers, for a night of comedy, fashion, music, and games. It is the perfect interactive event to lift your spirits and bring out your inner drag.
Time: 4:00pm
Tickets: Adults- £15, Children- £12.50
Drag Me To Church (10 September)
Come down to the bombed-out church to watch these drag queens strut their heels within the church ruins, adding their dazzling sparkle to the night. Hosted once more by Dame Fanny and The Starlets, secure your place now for a night filled with glitter, games, and giveaways. Maybe you’ll be the lucky audience member who gets chosen to compete in the lip sync battle?
Time: 8:00pm
Tickets: £18
Julie Madly Deeply (11 September)
This West End smash hit show is coming to you this September. This story follows showbiz star Dame Julie Andrews and her life of fame and stardom. Songs from Mary Poppins, My Fair Lady and The sound of music are interwoven into stories of her life, following her journey from child stardom to a career ending incident of losing her voice. Performed by Sarah-Louise Young, this performance will show you the reality of life in showbiz.
Time: 3:00pm
Tickets: £20
Looking For Me Friend – The Music Of Victoria Wood (11 September)
Music director Michael Roulston joins cabaret and TV performer Paulus to take us through a loving tribute to his late idol Victoria Wood, performing songs such as ‘Reincarnation’ and ‘It would have never worked’ to bring her soul back to life for the night. To embody her persona, he adopts a northern accent and Wood’s famous catchphrases and sketches to make you feel as though she is in the room with you. This performance is a treat for Victoria Wood fans.
Time: 7:00pm
Tickets: £20
To find out more about Liverpool Theatre Festival visit https://www.liverpooltheatrefestival.com/
Feature Image: Photo Credit David Munn