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Things To Do In Liverpool And The City Region This Summer for Families

Posted on 22/07/2025 | by Uncover

By Ade Blackburn

Looking for things to do in Liverpool and the city region this summer with the family? From creative workshops to exciting performances, there’s something for all ages. Whether you’re after hands-on activities, drama camps, or music events, these fun-filled experiences will help you make the most of the summer holidays.

Here’s our pick of the best things to do with the family this summer across the Liverpool City Region.

Liverpool Biennial and Independents Biennial 2025 – Various venues (until 14 September)

The Liverpol Biennial 2025 festival, this year titled ‘BEDROCK’, takes place until 14 September and is curated by Marie-Anne McQuay. ‘BEDROCK’ draws on Liverpool’s distinctive geography and the people, places and values of Liverpool that ground all of us. There’s some fascinating new exhibitions to discover, including family-friendly showcases. Partners for the festival include Open Eye Gallery, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North and Walker Art Gallery.

Independents Biennial 2025 will also return to Liverpool City Region with 22 new artistic commissions, 64 artists and new work appearing across Liverpool, Sefton, Knowsley, Wirral and St Helens. The artist-led festival, which runs concurrently to Liverpool Biennial, is created to showcase the vibrant art and art scene of the city-region.

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet – Exhibition Centre (15 July – 15 August)

Credit: Andy Teebay

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet returns to Liverpool this summer after attracting an amazing 60,000 visitors during its UK premiere in the city in 2024. The unmissable multimedia experience will be at the waterfront Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

City art lovers will also become the first in the country to enjoy a stunning new immersive show, Beyond Monet, receiving its UK premiere in Liverpool and which brings the works of the ‘Father of Impressionism’ to life in mesmerising fashion.

Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet will be staged on different days throughout the three-week run at the landmark waterfront venue.

Up Close With Archaeology – Museum of Liverpool (22 and 29 July)

It’s the Festival of Archaeology 2025! Get hands on with the distant past with Up Close With Archaeology, a unique opportunity to handle and find out about more about real objects from the Museum of Liverpool’s archaeology collection.

There is something incredibly powerful about making a connection with something that was made by hand thousands of years ago – maybe even with a thumb print still evident!

Aquarium Keeper Experience – World Museum (22, 23 and 29 July)

In this behind the scenes, immersive Aquarium Keeper Experience session you will get the chance to feed their animals and learn how the team look after the equipment and water chemistry in their aquarium.

Aquarium keepers look after a huge range of animals from clown fish, to terrapins and axolotl to crabs. Discover just what it takes to care for their animals and how exactly you clean a tank full of creatures!

Suitable for children over 8.

Flowers and Friendship Bracelets – The Atkinson (1 August)

Get ready for a dazzling explosion of music, dance, and excitement as Flowers and Friendship Bracelets takes to the stage! Head along and join them at The Atkinson for the ultimate pop concert and celebrate the biggest hits from the hottest artistes of the moment.

Shake it Off to their very own Taylor Swift; sing along to Flowers with Miley Cyrus; dust off all our best dance moves to ‘Vampires’ with Olivia Rodrigo, and the unstoppable Sabrina Carpenter performing all her top hits such as ‘Espresso’. Watch the girls delight the audience in this incredible concert with a huge pop party to finish the show.

Summer Drama Week – Unity Theatre (4 – 8 August)

A chance to spend a fun Summer Drama Week exploring drama at the Unity Theatre, meet new friends and create a show in a week! Enjoy games, creating characters, puppetry and more with brilliant practitioners.

The drama week is an excellent opportunity for children to discover the magic of theatre and performance in a friendly environment. The event is free or pay what you can, all abilities are welcome and sessions are suitable for ages 9 to 12.

The Liver Bird Safari Walking Tour – ArtsGroupie, starts at Bluecoat (9 August – 20 September)

Liverpool is famous for the Liver Bird, a mythical bird which is the symbol of the city. The most famous of which are the birds on the magnificent Royal Liver Building, the first-ever Skyscraper in the UK. What you may not know is that there are in fact over 100 Liver Birds in Liverpool, hidden in the architecture of this fine city.

Join ArtsGroupie for a fun, lively Liver Bird Walking Tour Safari around the city centre, as they go Liver Bird-spotting. Starting at The Bluecoat, visiting St. George’s Plateau, William Brown Street, and Castle Street; learn about the history of Liverpool along the way.

The two-hour tour finishes near the Waterfront.

Nature Neighbours Workshop – Heart of Glass (9 August)

In this Nature Neighbours Workshop participants create a wildlife sculpture made from wooden laser-cut ply shapes, inspired by the Nature Neighbours trail!

Heart of Glass will provide the materials for you to make your own artwork using wooden shapes, glue and paint, guided by artists Juneau Projects. The pieces on the Nature Neighbours trail are all based on wildlife found locally in Halewood’s parks, from jays and robins, to butterflies and bugs. Make your own to take home at the end of the workshop.

DoES Liverpool Maker Day – DoES Liverpool (9 August)

Maker Days are regular meetings organised by DoES Liverpool to provide a space for people to learn, experiment and work on projects related to Physical computing, Laser cutting, Arduino, Electronics and 3D printing.

Maker Day takes place on the second Saturday of each month from midday to 6pm. All Maker Events are completely free to attend – you’ll only pay for any consumables you might use – and are the perfect way to dip your toes into DoES, and the Maker community at large. They’re informal, friendly events about building cool stuff and sharing expertise and enthusiasm.

Do Something Saturdays – FACT Liverpool (9 August)

Create the most annoying room in the world and trap your grown-ups inside! Inspired by artist Kara Chin’s work, this fun free workshop is part of FACT Liverpool’s Do Something Saturdays and includes a chance to explore her interactive installation for Liverpool Biennial, on display until 14 September. Located in their Studio/Lab space on the top floor, these free sessions encourage imagination and innovation in a friendly environment.

Wirral Theatre Festival Family Shows – Williamson Art Gallery / Floral Pavilion (15 – 16 August)

Wirral Theatre Festival showcases local stories and includes some great family entertainment this year. The festival takes place across two days at the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum and Floral Pavilion.

Saturday afternoon is all about their family-friendly shows, including performances of Trapped in Williamson Art Gallery and Spooky Tales, the latter is family-friendly but not for the faint-hearted! The show includes the winning entry from the Wirral Theatre Festival Writing Competition in 2024.

One ticket gets you access to both shows!

Mosh Tots – Future Yard (17 August)

The Mosh Tots band take over Future Yard’s main stage for the hottest show in town, this August! Aimed at children aged 1-8, Mosh Tots is there to introduce young people to the rockin’ world of live music in a safe and fun environment.

At Future Yard, they believe that live music should be for everyone, no matter your age. Live music venues have often been off limits for young children and their parents and Mosh Tots flips that on its head. A great opportunity to share the joy of live music together as a family.

For every child ticket purchased, 1 adult goes free.

Robin Hood – Shakespeare North Playhouse (30 August)

Folksy Theatre invites you to experience a brand new musical adaptation of the classic Robin Hood tale at Shakespeare North Playhouse. Set against the enchanting backdrop of the eerie Sherwood Forest, this whimsical production sees King John and the Sheriff of Nottingham trying to thwart the legendary outlaw, Robin Hood and his band of merry men as they steal from the rich to give to the poor.

Filled with Folksy’s signature live music, audience interaction, and delightful silliness, this adaptation promises to have you laughing and singing along!

For even more things to do this summer in Liverpool and the City Region check out our What’s On Listings.

Culture Radar – Szymon Mamys and Becks Hylton (Bring The Fire Project)

Posted on 21/07/2025 | by Uncover

This week our Culture Radar guests are Szymon Mamys (Director) and Becks Hylton (Production Manager) of Bring The Fire Project.

Loved: The dance show NOW created by Jasmin Vardimon at the Liverpool Playhouse Theatre was beautiful. A visually stunning performance, wonderfully choreographed melding movement and technology together to touch on important topics of our modern life.

Looking Forward To: There’re so many incredible events happening over the summer. Unity Theatre’s Scratch Nights always showcase interesting and incredible new pieces. We’re also looking forward to bringing you the next edition of the Liverpool Fire Arts Festival next year.

Trivia: Bring the Fire Project is based at Metal at Edge Hill Station – the oldest active passenger station in the world.

Culture Radar – Abbie Billington

Posted on 07/07/2025 | by Uncover

This week our Culture Radar guest is Uncover Liverpool voluntary features writer, Abbie Billington. Abbie is a Trustee for the Jacob Billington Trust and Project Manager for Up Front North West.

Loved: I’m a writer by trade, and I love all things theatre. I try to expose myself to new writing as often as possible, and most recently I had the pleasure of watching The Walrus Has A Right To Adventure at the Everyman Theatre which was absolutely phenomenal!

Looking Forward To: I’m really looking forward to the Arab Arts Festival and everything that has to offer, but I’m also excited for all of the new writing showcases happening this summer! From the Wirral Theatre Festival to Unity’s Scratch Night, it’s going to be a season of celebrating new art and new artists.

Trivia: As an artist myself, I’ve always wanted to create opportunities for artists in Liverpool. I’m so lucky to work for two arts organisations, both of which aim to cultivate artists and their talents. It’s such a fulfilling job!

Edinburgh Fringe Festival at Home: A Look at Liverpool’s Theatre Scene This Summer

Posted on 07/07/2025 | by Uncover

By Abbie Billington

Edinburgh Fringe Festival is widely regarded as the largest arts festival in the world. It takes place across three weeks in August, spanning the whole of the city and welcoming millions of people from all corners of the globe. With over 3,000 shows to choose from, the Fringe Festival has something to offer everyone who comes to join in the festivities.

While the Fringe Festival is an incredible annual event, for those of us not making the journey up north, there’s plenty of shows across Liverpool this summer to give you that fringe feeling! Liverpool has a fantastic grassroots theatre scene, and in this feature, we’ll look at just some of the shows making their way to the city this season.

YEP: The Snow Dragons – Everyman Theatre (11 – 12 July)

Deep in the woods, the trees are whispering. Beneath their branches, thrilling stories are being told.

Playing make believe with your friends was one of the best parts of being a kid, and in The Snow Dragons, the young people of the Young Everyman Playhouse programme bring that imagination and excitement to the stage. Eight young friends spend their days in the woods, inventing stories about giants and dragons, sword fights and vengeance. But when childhood games and the grown-up world collide, can they become the heroes they always imagined themselves to be?

The Snow Dragons is jam-packed with stunning songs and live music, immersing you in this dark fairy tale that will take you on a wild, magical ride.

Ghost Town – Unity Theatre (24 – 26 July)

Written in collaboration with 20 Stories High Youth Theatre, Ghost Town is a spooky, comedy thriller that takes place across Liverpool. After Darren disappears into the infamously haunted Newsham Park Hospital, his mates band together to uncover the truth of what really happened. Their journey is fraught with difficulties, with everything from tourists, buskers and scallies disrupting their search for the truth. Ghost Town will have you shaking from laughter and fear and will leave you with the question: do ghosts really exist?

Unity Scratch Night – Unity Theatre (30 July)

One of the best parts about the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the chance to see brand new works of theatre, fresh off the press. But each one of those pieces had to start somewhere! At Unity’s Theatre’s Scratch Night, five ‘work in progress’ pieces of writing will be given the limelight to showcase what they’ve got so far. These nights are always stacked full of fantastic new talent, and this month’s instalment is sure to be no different! On the line-up this month is Flinger by Steve Wallis, Feed The Scousers by Jakob Taylor, Casu Martzu by Simone Tani, The Fanny Diaries by Erin McDaid, and Seafloor by Jake Angerer.

Sauce and Sorcery – Royal Court Studio (1 – 23 August)

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if two wizards had their own chippy in Old Swan? Well, the Royal Court Studio has got your answer in Sauce and Sorcery.

Abrakebabra is your average chippy run by Finn and his grandad Grant. Alongside the chips, fish, scallops and donner meat, they also serve up a healthy portion of spells and hexes. After already receiving a warning for using his magic in a built-up area, Grant lands himself in even deeper trouble after a transmogrification mistake involving the local drug dealing entrepreneur. With Finn, Grant and the chippy in danger, will their wizarding skills be enough to save them?

Picnic at Hanging Rock – Hope Street Theatre (9 – 10 August)

Based on the hit historical fiction novel by Australian author Joan Lindsay, Picnic at Hanging Rock follows the story of a group of female boarding school students who vanish at Hanging Rock while on a Valentine’s Day picnic in 1900. To this day, it has never been confirmed if the events in the novel were fact or fiction, but in the stage adaptation of Picnic at Hanging Rock, five actors will try to unravel the truth of what really happened that fateful day.

Fakebook – Hope Street Theatre (13 – 16 August)

Our current world is a digital one – we spend most of our lives online, glued to our screens and the topsy-turvy world of social media. Going Nowhere productions explore truth, lies and the masks we wear online in this bold and biting new comedy. Soundtracked by some fantastic music, Fakebook dives deep into what happens when real lives collide with digital personas. With plenty of surprises and full of wit, Fakebook is sure to be one you’ll want to catch this season.

To discover even more theatre shows happening across the Liverpool city region this summer and beyond check out our What’s On listings.

Desperate Times, Radical Measures – RAWD and Ugly Bucket Bring Protest to the Stage This Disability Pride Month

Posted on 30/06/2025 | by Uncover

As July is Disability Pride Month and news turns to more damaging cuts to the support of disabled people, Ugly Bucket’s Grace Gallagher talks protest.

In a climate of relentless benefit cuts, disabled people are facing mounting pressure—targeted by policies that chip away at their independence, dignity, and support. When times are desperate, we turn to desperate measures. In the case of Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You, those measures come in the form of clowning.

This new show sees 35 disabled performers take to the stage in a dynamic and outrageous spectacle rooted in the spirit of the Block Telethon protests of the early 1990s, but retold through modern perspectives and abstract form.

This year marks a major milestone for disabled arts organisation RAWD as they officially launch as a charity. From humble beginnings in a church hall drama group, RAWD has grown into a vital creative force for learning disabled & neurodivergent people in Merseyside. To celebrate—and respond to the escalating challenges their members face—RAWD teamed up with Liverpool-based clown company Ugly Bucket to explore themes of protest and disabled activism.

The Challenge Isn’t Learning—It’s How We Teach

History is filled with moments where disabled people have fought back—often in bold, creative, and unexpected ways. Our process began in January 2025, as many creative journeys do, with research.

When we began, even the question “what is protest?” felt huge for some members of RAWD. It was unfamiliar ground—intimidating and distant. After all, society often assumes what learning disabled and neurodivergent people can and can’t ‘handle’. This collaboration demonstrates that the issue has never been ability—it’s access.

We learnt about protest not through textbooks, but through clowning. We’ve discovered ways to make big ideas feel accessible, playful and personal. We explored decades of disabled activism—The Blind March, the 504 Sit-In, The Direct Action Network’s London Bus Protests to name a few. However, as clowns, we were drawn—irresistibly—to the garish world of 90s Telethon. The Block Telethon movement, where disabled activists rejected pity-led fundraising campaigns, became a powerful touchpoint for us.

While we play within this world, the show echoes all our learning as RAWD members have stamped this story with their own perspectives and flair. This show is a reflection of the journey they have taken: finding their voice, breaking their own moulds, standing up for what’s right and building confidence to call upon their audience for allyship.

Clowning – More Than Just Laughs

Clowning is often misunderstood—reduced to red noses & big shoes. But clowns come in all different forms and styles. Everyone has an inner clown, an extension of themselves, and part of our process has been guiding RAWD members to discover who their clowns are.

Beyond laughter, we at Ugly Bucket champion the clowning practice as a dynamic tool for community bonding, self exploration, and social change. It’s not just about glorious stupidity, it’s about listening, taking up space, making bold choices, and connecting authentically with others. Why is clowning an unexpected yet perfect protest tool? Because when people are laughing, they’re listening, and Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You gives RAWD members the platform to be heard.

Clowning, like access, is deeply personal. In this project, we’ve seen RAWD members emerge in ways we couldn’t have predicted. We’ve been challenged to adapt our practice, to innovate, and to discover new ways of learning. This wasn’t about simplifying protest—it was about reimagining how we learn. When the method shifts, the possibilities expand.

Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You shows its audience that not only can RAWD members handle it, but they can tear up the rulebook, re-write their script, and laugh along every step of the way.

Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You takes place on Saturday 5th July 4pm and Monday 7th July 7.30pm at Unity Theatre and Wednesday 9th July 7.30pm and Saturday 12th July 2pm at Theatre Porto in Ellesmere Port.

Buried Treasure By ArtsGroupie CIC: The Pool of Life

Posted on 30/06/2025 | by Uncover

By John Maguire

In this latest instalment of Buried Treasure, ArtsGroupie CIC’s John Maguire invites us on a vivid literary journey through Liverpool’s past, as captured by some of history’s greatest writers.

Liverpool, like most cities, is in a constant flux of change. As fresh cargo arrives, so do innovative ideas and cultures. Enriching and re-energising ‘the pool of life,’ as Jung referred to the metropolis. Many artists have tried to create on the written page, a picture of the port. Recently we have seen an influx of dramas on the big and small screen, for example the epic, This City Is Ours. It is refreshing to hear the warming twang of a Liverpool accent start to filter into mainstream media now, a Scouse Renaissance. This month I want to look back and see how writers sought inspiration on the banks of the River Mersey.

American writer, Herman Melville transports modern residents back to when Liverpool was a thriving dock filled with workers and sailors. His novel “Redburn: His First Voyage” is heavily influenced by his own 1839 visit to Liverpool, England. The story follows Wellingborough Redburn, a young man, as he experiences life at sea and the hardships of a merchant ship, eventually arriving in Liverpool. The novel explores themes of identity, coming-of-age, and the harsh realities of the working class. It is autoethnographic, drawing on Melville’s own observations and experiences.

As we sailed ahead the river contracted. The day came, and soon, passing
two lofty landmarks on the Lancashire shore, we rapidly drew near the
town, and at last, came to anchor in the stream.

Looking shoreward, I beheld lofty ranges of dingy warehouses, which
seemed very deficient in the elements of the marvellous; and bore a most
unexpected resemblance to the warehouses along South-street in New
York. There was nothing strange; nothing extraordinary about them. There
they stood; a row of calm and collected ware-houses; very good and
substantial edifices, doubtless, and admirably adapted to the ends had
in view by the builders; but plain, matter-of-fact ware-houses,
nevertheless, and that was all that could be said of them.

To be sure, I did not expect that every house in Liverpool must be a
Leaning Tower of Pisa, or a Strasbourg Cathedral; but yet, these
edifices I must confess, were a sad and bitter disappointment to me.

The novel references familiar streets and many local landmarks are apparent.

The great champion of the underclass and highlighter of social issues, Charles Dickens, loved Liverpool and would often visit. It is alleged he would describe the port, when giving one of his esteemed penny readings (tickets cost just a penny to open accessibility to all), as ‘My favourite city outside of London.’ But one assumes this to be a carefully scripted line repurposed to match whatever city he happened to be performing in. A trick often employed by modern day popstars during stops on an international tour.

He became a special constable so he could roam the docks late at night – only police officers were permitted to do so at this time. A plaque to commemorate this can be found outside the excellent watering hole – THE BRIDEWELL. For before it used to administer beverages to people, it would attempt to keep justice, serving as a police station during the Victorian era. His experience is illustrated in Chapter 5 of The Uncommercial Traveller.

“Mercantile Jack was hard at it, in the hard weather: as he mostly is in all weathers, poor Jack. He was girded to ships’ masts and funnels of steamers, like a forester to a great oak, scraping and painting; he was lying out on yards, furling sails that tried to beat him off…..he was washing decks barefoot, with the breast of his red shirt open to the blast, though it was sharper than the knife in his leathern girdle; he was looking over bulwarks, all eyes and hair; he was standing by at the shoot of the Cunard steamer, off to-morrow, as the stocks in trade of several butchers, poulterers, and fishmongers, poured down into the ice-house; he was coming aboard of other vessels, with his kit in a tarpaulin bag, attended by plunderers to the very last moment of his shore-going existence…in the midst of it, he stood swaying about, with his hair blown all manner of wild ways, rather crazedly taking leave of his plunderers, all the rigging in the docks was shrill in the wind, and every little steamer coming and going across the Mersey was sharp in its blowing off, and every buoy in the river bobbed spitefully up and down, as if there were a general taunting chorus of ‘Come along, Mercantile Jack! Ill-lodged, ill-fed, ill-used, hocussed, entrapped, anticipated, cleaned out. Come along, Poor Mercantile Jack, and be tempest-tossed till you are drowned!”

The 30th of June marks the passing of one of my favourite creatives, the Father of Culture, William Roscoe. With his birthday being the same day as International Women’s Day I always like to remember his death day. Take a moment to reflect on what he did for Liverpool. His writing, particularly his poetry can be quite antiquated. The language can jar against our modern ear. To write my play A Portrait of William Roscoe, I spent time looking at the man’s private papers, notebooks, and letters. I filtered and selected words that would take the audience back to the Liverpool in the 1700’s/early 1800’s.

I would like you now to scan over the few lines, taken from his poem Mount Pleasant – 1777

How numerous now her thronging buildings rise!
What varied objects strike the wandering eyes,
where rise yon masts her crowded navies ride,
and the broad rampire checks the beating tide,
along the beach her spacious streets extend,
her areas open, and her spires ascend,

In loud confusion mingled sounds arise,
the docks re-echoing with the seamen’s cries,
the massy hammer sounding from afar,
the bell slow tolling, and the rattling car, and thundering oft the cannons horrid roar,
in lessening echoes dies along the shore.

Then close your eyes and breathe. Picture a thriving Mersey and hear the city.

I often walk to the river by the Pier head when I am in town. Take a moment to pause, read these lines aloud, close my eyes. Try and ignore the screech of seagull. You are instantaneously, transported back to this era.

Instant time travel.

Give it a go!

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2025: Preview

Posted on 30/06/2025 | by Uncover

Founded in 1998, Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) is the UK’s longest-running annual Arab arts and culture festival, platforming the best UK and international Arab artists. The festival creates a dynamic between traditional and contemporary Arab artforms, encouraging informed debate that explores, and increases, appreciation of Arab people and their rich cultures.

Beyond its flagship summer event, LAAF runs a diverse year-round programme of events and participatory projects that bring together artists and communities, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation of Arab culture in Liverpool and beyond.

The showcase celebration of their year-round programme, the festival takes place over ten days, welcoming Arab artists to Liverpool and taking place at venues across the city.

Their programme is wide-ranging and multi-disciplinary. It includes visual art, performance, music, film, literature, spoken word and more.

Festival Highlights for 2025

The Alexandrian, Yamama Cafe and Bar (11 – 20 July)

In this free exhibition, The Alexandrian, Mohamed Gohar utilises his artistic visual language alongside architectural and heritage experiences.

Gohar explores how today’s Alexandrian society influences the city’s evolving urban landscape, using his unique blend of visual art, architecture, and heritage. The aim is to observe and analyse the communal behaviours of the city users, focusing on developing an objective understanding of the changing values and cultures.

The exhibition runs throughout the festival’s duration. You can also join them for an informal artist talk on 16 July, at 4pm.

Penguin, Unity Theatre (11 July)

Full of humour and beauty, Penguin describes protagonist Hamzeh’s extraordinary return to his village in Syria, Za’atari refugee camp in Jordan, Gateshead and inside his mind: a place full of music, dancing, fantasies and marbles.

Hamzeh invites you to be his childhood friends, to hold the moon to light the way into his dreams, brushing the dust from his clothes and taking to the stage. Suitable for ages 12+, the show includes stories about being displaced due to war, refugee camps and ableism.

Penguin has integrated creative captions in Arabic and English.

Hadi Badi Children’s Workshop, Bluecoat (13 July)

A joyful bilingual workshop for young book lovers aged 4–8, exploring memory, home, and family through Arabic children’s literature.

LAAF are delighted to welcome Hadi Badi co-founders, Hend Badawy and Raneem Soliman, back to the festival to lead a Hadi Badi interactive storytelling workshop for children aged 4–8 years. The session will introduce participants to high-quality Arabic children’s books that explore themes of nostalgia and memory, whether about home, family, places, or special moments.

Following the storytelling, children will enjoy a fun, creative activity linked to the story, designed to engage and inspire. The workshop will be conducted bilingually in Arabic and English.

Archiving Nostalgia, FACT (14 July)

Contemporary Arab films from Lebanon, Tunisia, and Algeria, reflecting on Archiving Nostalgia as both a thematic and aesthetic tool, all creating powerful archives of personal and collective memory. The screening will be followed by an in-person panel discussion on Arab cinema archiving.

Palestine Minus One, Bluecoat (16 July)

Join acclaimed Palestinian writers Mazen Maarouf, Anwar Hamed, and Basma Ghalayini for an evening of storytelling and conversation to launch Palestine Minus One, a bold new anthology from Comma Press.

As a prequel to Comma’s award-winning Palestine + 100 science fiction project, this anthology asks ten Palestinian authors to re-imagine the build-up to the catastrophe of 1948 and Israel’s 77-year-long occupation of Palestine: the Nakba of 1948. Blending the fantastical, the supernatural, and the speculative, these stories explore both the immediate and long-term repercussions of that defining moment in Palestinian history.

A Grain of Sand حبة رمل, Unity Theatre (18 July)

A Grain of Sand is a one-woman show that takes an intimate look at war through the eyes of a child, blending Palestinian folklore with real-life testimonies from children in contemporary Gaza. Renad’s story is one of resilience, hope and the right of children to be children.

Adapted from A Million Kites: Testimonies and Poems from the Children of Gaza by Leila Boukarim and Asaf Luzon. Renad, a young Gazan girl, embarks on a dangerous journey. Carrying only the echoes of her grandmother’s tales and the spark of her own imagination, she searches for her family and the ‘Anqaa’ – the mythical Palestinian Phoenix.

Akram Abdulfattah, Philharmonic Music Room (19 July)

Virtuosic Palestinian-American violinist Akram Abdulfattah returns to the UK with his genre-defying fusion of jazz, Middle Eastern and Indian music. In 2023, his multinational group visited the UK for the first time, performing a debut London show, and appearing at Knockengorroch and Cambridge Folk festivals. Akram’s talent has received international recognition, winning prestigious awards and engaging in various international and cross-culture projects.

LAAF Family Day 2025, Sefton Park Palm House (20 July)

The LAAF Family Day celebration is an unmissable highlight in Liverpool’s cultural calendar. A joyful grand finale to the festival, LAAF Family Day transforms the Palm House into a vibrant celebration of Arab culture, music, food, and community.

Featuring music and performance by leading musicians, their Family Day also brings an array of creative workshops, mouth-watering cuisine and exciting children’s activities. There will be over 20 stalls featuring authentic crafts, traders and much more!

Discover the full Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2025 programme and plan your festival experience at liverpoolarabartsfestival.com.

Culture Radar – Dr Matt Greenhall (University of Liverpool)

Posted on 23/06/2025 | by Uncover

This week our Culture Radar guest is Director of Libraries, Museums and Galleries, University of Liverpool, Dr Matt Greenhall.

Loved: I recently visited the Open Eye Gallery and saw Widline Cadet’s exhibition about her family’s journey from Haiti to the USA (Gallery 2). The juxtaposition between the large format photographs and collages of textures made for a thought-provoking exhibition. As a very amateur photographer, I always appreciate Open Eye’s exhibitions and how they make me see the world slightly differently each time!

Looking forward to: I’m really looking forward to this year’s Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (July). Last year’s events were incredible – moving, thought provoking, and funny, bringing together people from across the city, region and far beyond in celebration and dialogue. This year’s festival programme is so rich, with different artists, performers, and creatives, showcasing both traditional and contemporary artforms. I’m going to go to as much as possible!

Trivia: We’ve recently been on a digital journey within Libraries, Museums and Galleries at the University of Liverpool and have begun digitising parts of our heritage and cultural collections to make them available online. The University’s digital heritage lab provides access to a growing portion of the collections we hold, allowing you to explore them online. These are open to everyone, and we hope this resource will raise the visibility of our collections, and encourage more people to see them in person!

RAWD’s Protest Against Passiveness: Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You

Posted on 23/06/2025 | by Uncover

RAWD Charity Launch Event Image — Credit: Jack Ehlen

Arts organisation RAWD launch their biggest show to date during Disability Pride Month. Artistic Director Steffi Sweeney talks about how their members are continuing a tradition of pride and protest.

A New Chapter For RAWD

The RAWD Protest began long ago. Almost ten years on, the drum is still banging, the flag is still flying and now… the phone is ringing.

This July marks a major milestone for RAWD. We officially launch as a charity – and we’re doing it the only way we know how: with bold creativity, fierce pride, and stages full of disabled artists. Across the month our artists are premiering directorial film debuts at FACT, performing live music gigs at the Valley Theatre in Belle Vale and, as is RAWD tradition, there will be disabled artists packing out stages across the North West.

But to understand where we’re going, it helps to look at where we’ve been. RAWD began over a decade ago as a disability drama group meeting weekly in a church hall. Since then, we’ve grown into an arts organisation with a mission to tackle inequality and celebrate disabled creativity. Our projects include ‘Boards Are Boring’, which challenged governance structures; ‘Creative Wellness’ exploring inclusive wellbeing; and our ongoing Facilitator Training Programme, which empowers the next generation of inclusive practitioners.

RAWD supported Dora Colquon produce the nationwide tour of her show The Lodger. Credit: Jack Ehlen

Pride, Protest, and Performance

To mark our new chapter as a charity, we’re presenting our biggest-ever month of activity for Disability Pride Month. This year is a key juncture for our organisation as we transition to a registered charity. It is also an important moment for our community as rights are rolled back and vital support is under threat. With our programme of activity in Disability Pride Month we want to make a statement.

Leading our programme is a show with a driving purpose. Partnering with Liverpool’s award-winning clown company Ugly Bucket, Don’t Call Us We’ll Call You has a cast of 35. The show continues another proud tradition of RAWD’s: amplifying the lived experiences of our community. However this time, it hits different.

“The show is blunt, important and completely stupid.”
Tom Daly, RAWD Member.

The questions our members are asking while developing Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You are: what is protest and where do we fit in this fight? We knew this topic would be difficult to approach so partnering with Ugly Bucket felt like a perfect match to bring levity and power to the project. A company well versed in tackling difficult subjects and presenting important narratives, their techno clown style always delivers their objective: “Taking silliness serious.”

RAWD is adamant that we cannot shy away from the big difficult questions and ultimately our members don’t want to. No-one should be overlooked. It is our strong belief that we have agency to become the changemakers in our own lives, and we need to be part of bigger conversations about the world. In order to equip our members with the tools and skills to do this we “RAWD-ify” the subject matter and broaden our knowledge of what’s come before.

RAWD presented co-devised show It’s My Party at Unity Theatre in 2024. Credit: Jack Ehlen

Learning from the Past, Demanding a New Future

In developing Don’t Call Us…, we have looked back at a century of disabled activism, the history of our rights, and asked what ought to be done now? One member was shocked that the first Disability Pride date was as recent as 1990. RAWD member Mike said: “There may not have been an event, but we’ve always been proud.”

Our research led us to ‘Telethon’ and more specifically the block telethon protests of 1992. Disabled activists gathered outside the LWT Studios on the South Bank to challenge negative stereotypes and patronizing tone being fostered by Telethon. After this protest Telethon was never broadcast again. Johnny Crescendo, a key figure in the protests can be seen wearing a shirt that reads “Piss on Pity”. Regarding the disabled people being exploited by the TV Show the activist said: “‘Please and thank you’ were the best lines in their script. Passiveness and helplessness was not attractive to me”.

At RAWD we prioritise the value and necessity of the voices of our community. Our work is centered around the perspectives and opinions our members want to uncover. There is a failure within the system that neglects the view of learning disabled people. An assumption that societal barriers limit not only ability but the desire to be an active citizen.

Don’t Call Us We’ll Call You is a direct protest against these assumptions. A ticket to our show is also an invitation to join the movement, stand beside us and a call to action.

We ask every artist in the city:

What are you doing for disability awareness month?
Do you support disability theatre?
Can you join us in the RAWD MOVEMENT?

Don’t Call Us We’ll Call You is part of RAWD’s charity launch programme.

RAWD 2023 production Super. Credit - Jack Ehlen — RAWD 2023 production Super. Credit: Jack Ehlen

RAWD’s July 2025 Programme

RAWD Charity Launch
Thursday 3rd July 5-8pm at Unity Theatre
Join RAWD for an evening showcasing whats to come this July 2025.
FREE Tickets

Don’t Call Us, We’ll Call You
Saturday 5th July 4pm – Unity Theatre Tickets
Monday 7th July 7.30pm – Unity Theatre Tickets
Wednesday 9th July 7.30pm – Theatre Porto Tickets
Saturday 12th July 2pm – Theatre Porto Tickets

35 Disabled performers. One stage. Inescapable truths and a call for change. Rooted in the spirit of the Block Telethon protests but reimagined through abstract form and modern perspectives, this show moves between two surreal worlds: The glittering illusion of telethon and the unruly power of protest. Expect a dynamic spectacle of clowning, sharp satire, music and physical storytelling.

Tune In: RAWD Music at PSS
Monday 7th July 1pm – Valley Theatre
Over 12 weeks, PSS have been exploring inclusive avenues of songwriting.
Join us for an exclusive live session…

My Way High Way
Friday 11th July 1.30pm – Valley Theatre
PSS’s in-house RAWD group perform their co-devised show.

Directing Difference: Film Double Bill
Tuesday 22nd July – FACT

RAWD proudly presents two powerful directorial debuts by artists breaking boundaries in film. A rare chance to experience bold new perspectives from creatives breaking through major industry barriers. Sam Hooper, a theatre-maker with Down Syndrome presents I Move We Move, a vibrant celebration of unity, teamwork, and shared energy, through spoken word, movement, and music. Alana Wadkin, a creative artist with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy, debuts Everyone’s Bitchin’ About Al. The culmination of her work developing a Directing Communication Board with RAWD for artists who are non-verbal. This innovative tool redefines how direction can be communicated – and this film proves its creative power. Tickets on sale soon!

Threads of Protest
Tuesday 29th July 7.30pm – Storyhouse, Chester

RAWD Fundraiser
Thursday 31st July 7pm – Future Yard, Birkenhead Tickets
A line-up of special musical guests celebrate the end of our month-long programme and help raise money for RAWD. Guests to be announced soon.

To find out more about RAWD visit rawdproject.co.uk.

Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre: At The Heart of Liverpool Culture For 200 Years

Posted on 16/06/2025 | by Uncover

By Ade Blackburn

Red Or Dead - Credit - Atanas Paskalev — Red Or Dead. Credit: Atanas Paskalev

Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre is one of most iconic and welcoming theatres in the city. Housed in a beautifully restored Art Deco building, it’s a venue where modern productions meet historic charm. Known for its laugh-out-loud comedies and musicals, the Royal Court is deeply rooted in the city’s culture — from the stories it tells to the people who bring them to life.

The Royal Court Theatre produces eight long running plays every year, mostly comedies and musicals. The shows have a Liverpool theme with largely Liverpool cast and crew. Sets are built in the city, rehearsals take place in Liverpool and 95% of all money spent by the theatre goes back into the local economy.

If you’re after a scouse night out, The Court is the place to be.

History and Art Deco Grandeur

The Royal Court stands on a site that has entertained the city since 1826, when it opened as Cooke’s New Circus and rebranded in 1831 as Cooke’s Amphitheatre of Arts, presenting opera, music, theatre and ballet. It became the Royal Court Theatre in 1881 and quickly gained a reputation as Liverpool’s leading venue for touring music, theatre, and ballet.

Its Art Deco redesign in 1938 gave it the stylish silhouette seen today — now Grade II listed and lovingly restored by architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. Over the years, legends like Judi Dench, Laurence Olivier, Fred Astaire, and Ken Dodd have graced its stage. In fact, Dame Judi Dench made her acting debut here in 1957 and is now Patron of the Royal Court Trust.

Theatre Shows

The Scousetrap. Credit: Jason Roberts Photography

The venue regularly hosted gigs in the 80s, including legendary shows by Kraftwerk, Echo and the Bunnymen and The Specials, amongst many others, before emerging with their own Liverpool-based original theatre productions.

A cast of mainly Merseyside regulars, including former Brookside stars Michael Starke and Suzanne Collins, star in an ongoing season of irreverent comedy with excellent production values. Pre-show dining, cabaret-style stalls seating and a range of drinks are served before and after the show, a feature of a night out at the Court.

The Royal Court also stages Shakespearean productions from the local Lodestar Theatre Company and occasional musical events. In addition, they run a fascinating Heritage Tour, covering the theatre’s history via a backstage tour through set storage, dressing rooms and loft space.

In recent years, the theatre staged their comedy A Thong For Europe and hosted a Eurovision screening, as part of the city-wide Eurovision celebration, and their Boys From The Blackstuff production has played at the National Theatre. Currently, they’re staging the musical Speedo Mick – The Scouse Stomper, an inspiring show about a die-hard Everton fan raising more than a million pounds for disadvantaged young people and the homeless.

Youth Theatre

The Royal Court isn’t just about what happens on stage — it’s also nurturing the next generation of creatives. Their Youth Theatre is open to 11–17 year olds from across the city, this free programme helps young people gain hands-on experience in acting, writing, fundraising, and stage management.

New Writing

One of the region’s largest producers of theatre, Liverpool’s Royal Court has a focus on new writing, with their Stage Write playwright development programme.

The theatre began producing shows in 2006, and quickly developed its own house style. In the early years the programming was a mix of established and commissioned plays but since 2017 all of their work has been written for the Royal Court. As well as their main house works, the 150 seat Studio space is a great place to develop new plays and they commission three new pieces each year.

They are committed to supporting the development of new works and new writers whether for the Royal Court audience or not. As access is an important part of the way they work, all of these initiatives are free to access.

Community Choir

Want to get involved but not quite ready for the spotlight? The Royal Court’s free Communi ty Choir welcomes all abilities. It’s about fun, friendship, and finding your voice — with past performances at events like Liverpool ONE’s Christmas switch-on and Pride in Liverpool. Sessions take place every Monday (except Bank Holidays), 5–7pm in the Studio. Open to anyone aged 16+.

From heritage tours to hilarious comedies, community programmes to inspiring musicals, find out what’s on at Liverpool’s Royal Court via their events listings.