Author: Molly Thirlwall

In this Octagon Theatre Bolton and Liverpool & Everyman Playhouse co-production, Shelagh Stephenson’s The Memory of Water has been revived wonderfully in a crowd-pleasing, touching production. This 30th anniversary revival, directed by Lotte Wakeham, delivers an evening of hilarious and deeply moving entertainment for audiences. 

Following three sisters on the eve of their mum’s funeral in the winter of 1996, the women reunite in their Northern childhood home after years apart. Mary, Teresa and Catherine sort through their mother’s belongings as old memories begin to resurface, resulting in confusion and hilarity as their memories do not quite match up. The whisky flows, and their complicated relationships with the world and each other are examined, all in the middle of a snow storm and with the impending funeral looming over them.

Katie Scott’s set design sets the stage for the chaos of the show. The incredibly detailed set of the late mother’s bedroom is crammed full with mementos and clothing that the sisters use to reminisce. The attention to detail is superb, from the snow storm being visible through the window, to the underneath of the bed being full of suitcases and forgotten packages. Additionally, the floorboards jutting out from each side of the stage give the effect that the room has been ripped out of a house, putting the audience directly into that isolated space with the characters.

Polly Lister’s bold performance as Mary was a stand out as she portrayed cynicism, despair and frustration. Her chemistry with the rest of the cast kept the energy high and the ensemble as a whole flowed smoothly between comedic moments and more poignant, emotional scenes. One powerful highlight was Frank’s arrival (played by Reginald Edwards), as we see the chaos between the sisters erupt as he emerges from the storm. This scene showed the history that the sisters share, explored through the memories from their mother’s dresses, and their mutual understanding of each other.

The dynamic between the sisters is instantly relatable, and is enhanced by the characters of Frank and Mike (Charlie De Melo). Whilst Mary (Polly Lister), Teresa (Victoria Brazier) and Catherine (Helen Flanagan) fight amongst themselves and seem to constantly be bickering, having Frank and Mike as outsiders allows the audience to see the truly inseparable bond of sisterhood between the women. Finding moments of laughter when trying on their mother’s clothes and sharing whisky demonstrates the playful familiarity between the sisters, in a time when people would be expected to be somber.

The play is haunted by Vicky Binns’ portrayal of Vi, the mother whom the plot focuses on. Vi’s interactions with her daughter Mary beautifully explore the struggles between ambitious daughters and the mothers that strive to provide for them. Emphasised with the change of lighting state and Binns’ fluid movement across the performance space, the dream/ haunting scenes are an interesting insight into Mary’s grief, and elevate the plot by showing how deeply their mother affected the sister’s lives.

This production is entertaining, thought-provoking and a lot of fun, so should not be missed in its run at the Everyman Theatre until the 14th of March. Tickets are available via everymanplayhouse.com.

From classic stories to thought-provoking showcases, March is full of cultural events across Liverpool and the city region. There’s something for everyone, whether you enjoy a night rediscovering classic comedy, or finding your new favourite band. These 10 unmissable events in Liverpool and the city region demonstrate the range of cultural events happening all across the city.

1. War of the Worlds, Playhouse Theatre (4-7 March)

H.G. Wells’s classic novel retold by imitating the dog, supported by Lancaster Arts and Cast, Doncaster. Four performers enter the stage with cameras and construct an epic road movie before our eyes. It’s a story we know, or think we know – an apocalyptic tale of alien invasion and the unfolding destruction of everything we hold dear. Extraterrestrial lifeforms land from the skies. Lines of Brits scrabble to flee across the channel while their cities and towns lie in smouldering ruins. It’s all of our worst nightmares.

2. The Art of Screen Printing, Bluecoat (5-26 March)

A fantastic opportunity to learn a new skill, The Art of Screen Printing is a comprehensive course suitable for beginners and intermediate printers alike. On completion you will be a knowledgeable, confident screen printer and able to hire the printmaking facilities at the Bluecoat.

3. Two by Jim Cartwright, Shakespeare North Playhouse (6-28 March)

Behind the bar of their northern pub, the Landlord and Landlady welcome their regulars with open arms. Lending an ear for stories of celebration, of loss, of love and of despair, the bickering couple work together to keep the locals in high spirits – with drinks, conversation and laughter.

Performed by two actors playing all 14 characters, Jim Cartwright’s poignant play takes audiences into the world of one working-class pub over the course of one night. Weaving together rich stories full of human emotion, this dark-comedy gives an intimate insight into a variety of characters and will make you laugh, and cry, in equal measure.

4. 1984, The Atkinson (10 – 11 March)

Award-winning theatre company Box Tale Soup bring a stunning new adaptation of 1984 to the stage this March. Using their trademark inventive sets and striking puppetry, the production powerfully captures Orwell’s chilling vision of surveillance, control and rebellion in a world dominated by Big Brother. Featuring the voices of Sophie Aldred, Joanna Lumley and Simon Russell Beale as Big Brother, this critically acclaimed company promises a gripping, thought-provoking theatrical experience.

5. Courtney Pine: House of Legends, The Tung Auditorium (14 March)

Courtney Pine returns to The Tung Auditorium with this award-winning show, House of Legends. This show brings together musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Europe to tell tales of life from a multicultural viewpoint. Audiences should expect a mix of merengue, ska, mento and calypso, so don’t miss this chance to see Courtney Pine on top form.

6. Smote, Future Yard (15 March)

Rooted in the mud, hills and folklore of the North, Smote is the atmospheric, heavy-leaning project of landscape gardener Daniel Foggin. Drawing on drone, psych, folk tradition and the raw power of electronics, the music feels both ancient and sharply present. Smote will be at Future Yard as part of their spring tour, off the back of their latest album release,  Songs From The Free House on Rocket Recordings.

Smote’s live shows have built a quiet but loyal reputation for their slow-building intensity: ritualistic, hypnotic and deeply grounded. Expect repetition that pulls you under, waves of amplification, and atmospheric intensity.

7. Arts for Social Change Showcase, Collective Encounters (26 March)

Collective Encounters is delighted to be programming another fascinating night of presentations exploring participatory arts projects, practice and passions. Head along for an evening of quick-fire presentations by people passionate about using the arts for social change. The showcase is a great way to grow your ideas, share and celebrate your achievements, rage about something or highlight something that needs to change. This event is an opportunity to connect, network, get feedback and generate new ideas. Presenters can be theatre-makers, producers, participants, funders, community groups, charities…anyone with a curiosity or passion for arts & social change.

8. Aisling Bea: Older Than Jesus, Everyman & Playhouse Theatre (27 March)

BAFTA and British Comedy Award-winning Irish stand-up Aisling Bea is finally hitting the road. With tales of travel, home, immigration, history, sex, babies, music, lovers and enemies.  As seen on Taskmaster, QI, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Last One Laughing, Live at the Apollo, Travel Man and creator, writer and star of the award-winning Channel 4 and Hulu series This Way Up.

9. An evening with Laurel and Hardy- Presented by Neil Brand, The Tung Auditorium (27 March)

To celebrate 100 years of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy’s comedy partnership that made them global icons, comes the brand-new production of Neil Brand’s “Evening with Laurel and Hardy” 2026 Centenary Tour. Neil has established himself as the foremost exponent of silent film and improvised piano accompaniment. Thanks to new restorations of their silent films, and the rediscovery of some of their lesser-known comedies, Neil will uncover gems of hilarity from the team whose comedy never ages, and bring them to jaw-dropping life with the demanding live piano improvisations for which he is so famous. Featuring extended scenes from the best of their silent comedies, this is sure to be an evening that any Laurel and Hardy fan will enjoy.

10. Gorillaz, M&S Bank Arena (29 March)

Gorillaz are touring their brand-new ninth studio album The Mountain in Spring 2026 and will be bringing the party to Liverpool on the 29th of March. Releasing on the 20th of March, fans in Liverpool will be some of the first to experience The Mountain live, and it is set to be Gorillaz’ most ambitious project yet. So get ready to see Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D live on stage for an evening of genre-bending sounds and an extraordinary cast of collaborators.

Find lots more events across the Liverpool city region via our What’s On listings.

2026 in Liverpool and the City Region is already shaping up to be an unmissable year, packed with unforgettable experiences. From groundbreaking theatre and must-see musicals to thought-provoking exhibitions and electrifying concerts, there are countless events to look forward to in Liverpool and the City Region. To help you plan ahead, we’ve rounded up some of the biggest highlights announced so far — and be sure to stay tuned to Uncover Liverpool as even more exciting events are revealed throughout the year.

1. Queer Book Club, The Bookstop, St Helens (1st Tuesday of every month)

If you’re looking for an inclusive space to share your love of literature, Queer Book Club is a reading group open to anyone from St Helens to come together to read and discuss LGBTQIA+ literature. Founded by local queer artists, producers and book-lovers, Queer Book Club is a space to share a love of queer novels, memoirs and writing.

In February they’ll be reading Sense of Self, by James Lefebure which is a queer body horror and relatable tale of the desire to be accepted, sometimes by any means necessary. 

Queer Book Club is drop-in, meaning you don’t have to have been before to take part, but they encourage you to read the book ahead of the session.

2. Can Meeple Escape the Neurophoria?, FACT Liverpool (6 February – 26 April)

Curated by FACT’s 2025 Curator-in-Residence Milia Xin Bi, Can Meeple Escape the Neurophoria? is an interactive exhibition taking inspiration from tabletop games. It invites the audience to become the “meeple” whose choices shape the narrative. Through playful yet thought-provoking works by Vytas Jankauskas, Jan Zuiderveld and Joseph Wilk, the exhibition explores the entanglement of technology, humanity and power, asking how our decisions today might influence the technological futures we are building.

3. Contemporary American artist Ed Ruscha, Tate Liverpool (12 February – 14 June)

Tate Liverpool will be staging a display by the influential contemporary American artist Ed Ruscha from the 12 February – 14 June at the Tate Liverpool + RIBA North space on Mann Island.

Ruscha is widely regarded as one of the world’s most important artists and this display will follow his drive through the vast open space and urban landscape of the USA. Taking his engagement with petrol stations as a starting point, it will invite visitors to join the artist in looking at his surroundings.

4. Milap’s Spring 2026 Programme (February – April)

Milap have announced their Spring 2026 programme following their successful return of their Indika Festival earlier this year. Some of the most acclaimed names in contemporary Indian music will be coming to the North West next year. 

In partnership with the Liverpool International Jazz Festival 2026, Milap will be spotlighting some of the UK’s leading Indo-Jazz pioneers, such as Zoe Rahman & Arun Ghosh who will be performing on Saturday the 28 February. 

Also in the Spring season will be Sarathy Korwar who will be performing at Future Yard on Saturday the 28 March as part of his highly-anticipated UK Tour for his fourth studio album, ‘There Is Beauty, There Already’.

5. Courtney Pine: House of Legends, The Tung Auditorium (14 March)

Courtney Pine returns to The Tung Auditorium with this award-winning show, House of Legends. This show brings together musicians from Africa, the Caribbean and Europe to tell tales of life from a multicultural viewpoint. Audiences should expect a mix of merengue, ska, mento and calypso, so don’t miss this chance to see Courtney Pine on top form.

6. Gorillaz, M&S Bank Arena (29 March)

Gorillaz are touring their brand-new ninth studio album The Mountain in Spring 2026 and will be bringing the party to Liverpool on the 29 March. Releasing on 20 March, fans in Liverpool will be some of the first to experience The Mountain live, and it is set to be Gorillaz’ most ambitious project yet. So get ready to see Murdoc, Noodle, Russel and 2D live on stage for an evening of genre-bending sounds and an extraordinary cast of collaborators.

7. Waiting for Godot, Everyman Theatre (17 March – 4 April)

Matthew Kelly and George Costigan star in a new staging of Samuel Beckett’s classic play at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre. Set in a shifting, timeless landscape, Waiting for Godot follows two men, Vladimir and Estragon, as they wait for someone who may never come. This production directed by Dominic Hill is darkly comic and deeply moving- a profound exploration of what it means to be human – even when the waiting never ends.

8. Miles Hunt of the Wonder Stuff, The Tung Auditorium (10 Apri) 

Miles Hunt of the Wonder Stuff will be touring the UK next spring and will be coming to the Tung Auditorium on the 10th of April. He will be playing songs from his huge catalogue, and telling stories from his 40 year career in music.

9. Comic Con Liverpool, Exhibition Centre (2 & 3 May)

Comic Con Liverpool, one of Europe’s largest pop culture conventions returns to the ACC Liverpool campus this spring, bringing tens of thousands of fans together for a weekend of fandom celebration. Expect celebrity guests (including Gillian Anderson, William Shatner, Taylor Schilling & many more) from film, TV, gaming and more, autograph and photo opportunities, immersive cosplay showcases, retro and modern gaming zones, and a huge show floor packed with independent traders and artists. Whether you’re into comics, sci‑fi, fantasy or anime, it’s a must‑visit event for fans of all ages.

10. The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher, Everyman Theatre (2 – 23 May)

Based on the short story by Hilary Mantel, the acclaimed writer of Wolf Hall, is the darkly funny and dangerously tense The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher written by Alexandra Wood. The world premiere of this production is directed by John Young and will be at the Everyman Theatre from the 2 – 23 May.

11. Nell Gwynn, Shakespeare North Playhouse (12 June – 4 July)

Set in the world of 1660 London, Nell Gwynn tells the riotous true story of the orange-seller turned trailblazing actress who took the stage — and society — by storm. Bursting with music, mischief and razor-sharp wit, this fiercely feminist comedy celebrates a woman who refused to behave, rewriting the rules of performance and power along the way.

12. NICE! Stories and Rhymes with Michael Rosen, The Atkinson (13 June)

Poetry legend Michael Rosen celebrates his 80th birthday with a joyful new live show, featuring much-loved classics alongside brand-new poems from Peas On Your Knees. NICE! is a warm, funny and inclusive celebration of poetry for audiences of all ages.

13. Africa Oyé, Sefton Park (20 & 21 June)

The UK’s biggest celebration of African and Caribbean music and culture, Africa Oyé returns this summer after a fallow year in 2025. The highlight of summer festivities will be a ticketed event in 2026, with organisers committed to making it as affordable as possible for its audience. 

With previous headliners such as Julian Marley, Fuse ODG and Baaba Maal, this much-loved event is sure to have more similar and exciting artists gracing the stage this year as Africa Oyé 2026 takes place in Sefton Park, Liverpool on 20 and 21 June.

14. Nile Rodgers and Chic, Salt & Tar (16 & 17 August)

Nile Rodgers and Chic bring their unmistakable groove and disco-funk anthems to Sefton this summer as headline stars of the Salt & Tar Music Weekender in Bootle on Sunday 16 & Monday 17 August 2026, promising a feel-good night of timeless hits and electrifying live performance. Salt and Tar’s Music Festival is going ‘On Tour’ in 2026 and will be located at Lock and Quay, 2 Irlam Rd, Liverpool, Bootle L20 4AH.

15. Letter To Brezhnev, Liverpool’s Royal Court (11 September – 17 October)

Set in 1985 Kirkby, this brand-new stage adaptation of Frank Clarke’s beloved film Letter To Brezhnev follows Teresa and Elaine as they seek love, romance, and escape, while Sergei and Peter revel in life away from the Soviet Union. A Liverpool love story full of desire, dreams, and one unforgettable night – don’t miss this instant classic.

16. Mean Girls the Musical, Liverpool Empire (19 – 31 October)

Direct from the West End, the award-winning Mean Girls is the hilarious smash-hit musical comedy that is not one to be missed. From writer Tina Fey (30 Rock), composer Jeff Richmond (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), lyricist Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon), this incredible creative team have used the iconic characters to create a show full of razor-sharp wit and killer songs.

17. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime, Liverpool Empire (3 – 7 November)

The National Theatre’s smash-hit production of The Curious Incident of The Dog In The Night-Time is returning to Liverpool! When a neighbour’s dog is discovered killed, suspicion falls on Christopher Boone. In order to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes a detective, but discovers more complex mysteries with every clue he uncovers. Be sure not to miss this incredible story at one of Liverpool’s most iconic venues.

18. Oh My God! It’s The Church, Future Yard (6 November)

Future Yard are welcoming back the one-and-only Oh my God! It’s The Church. The band turn every show into a raucous, all-singing, all-dancing “party church service.” Fronted by the charismatic Right Reverend Michael Alabama Jackson and backed by soulful funk, disco and rock tunes, their irreverent blend of music, comedy and theatre has wowed festival crowds from Glastonbury to Boomtown and built a fiercely devoted following.

Find out what’s happening in the Liverpool city region throughout the year via our What’s on listings.