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Buried Treasure With ArtsGroupie CIC: Deep Dive in the Archive

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ArtsGroupie CIC - Lights Up Exhibition Launch
Lights Up On Liverpool: Theatre History exhibition

In this latest instalment of Buried Treasure, John Maguire of ArtsGroupie CIC uncovers the wealth of history housed within Liverpool Central Library and Archives. Nestled between the World Museum and the Walker Art Gallery, this cultural jewel reveals fascinating stories, rare artefacts, and a vital opportunity for the public to learn how to preserve their own heritage through free home archiving workshops.

Perhaps one of the best examples of Buried Treasure in our City is a jewel that can be found in between the two other precious stones on William Brown Street, the World Museum and the Walker Art Gallery in the St George’s Quarter of Liverpool, Liverpool Central Library and Archives.

Established in 1860, Liverpool Central Library is the flagship building and hub of Liverpool Libraries and Information Services. The building was subject to a further £50 million rebuild and refurbishment and reopened in 2013 with a state-of-the-art repository archive which houses and protects the items within the Liverpool Record Office, the second busiest public archive in the UK. Internationally renowned, the Grade 2 listed heritage areas of the Picton Reading Room, the Oak Room and Hornby Library regularly attract visitors from all over the world, delighted by the opulent splendour of the Victorian and Edwardian architecture. The new building has also won several architectural awards. 

This public resource offers a bounty of riches, there is the majestic Audubon, BIRDS OF AMERICA on display in the Oak room, which looks like it has been lifted straight from the bookcase of Roald Dahl’s BIG FRIENDLY GIANT. Watched over by the cyclops in the wood (if you know, you know).

But it is the behind the scenes resources that are thrilling. When researching my play articulating the life of local public health pioneer Kitty Wilkinson (Kitty: Queen of the Washhouse), I discovered in depth facts / figures from public records and other valuable assets. This helped build a picture of what exactly Liverpool was like during the Victorian period.

Newspapers reveal details of the day to day lives, through advertisements and stories that bring the past to life. As I began to interrogate the life of William Roscoe for another play (A Portrait of William Roscoe) I found myself able to climb into the man’s head through his daily journals and manuscripts. Shakespeare revealed his belief in the power of love, when he had his character Cleopatra warn her lover, “You must woo me to the grave.” A view adopted by Roscoe, for I laid my hands on primary sources (direct artifacts) articulating his passion for his wife, writing her daily poems, even when they were married and living together.

This month sees the last week of ArtsGroupie’s Lights Up On Liverpool: Theatre History exhibition, on display in the Hornby Library, Central Library. This project evolved from a heritage walking tour to celebrate World Theatre Day in 2022 at The Epstein Theatre. Initial research found us wanting to know more.

Each week, we dived into the ocean of boxed up content archived around the theatres of the past. Unsure what would be encountered. Play bills from the 1700’s, like Hamlet and Macbeth, countless photographs detailing the ups and downs of the locations, lots of fire damage to venues. The theatres often had a pattern of suffering from financial problems and flames at some point.

But the piece de resistance discovered that blew my mind, finding the official ROYAL SEAL that declared Liverpool to have its own theatre by Royal approval in 1772 (the theatre stood where the Liverpool Football shop stands now in Williamson Square). It may have been administered by King George III but never materialised into a document and physical object until the reign of Victoria. Administration back then, like now, takes time. Bureaucracy can be a slow boat. 

One thing that came out of this research period, how important it is to ensure artefacts are looked after in the right way. A need to educate people in how to preserve things, archive programmes, tickets, documents in the proper fashion. For we encountered many archival injuries that had been done unknowingly by the general public. Like programmes scarred by Sellotape strips, tickets and newspaper clippings glued into books. The peril of rusted staples in paper booklets, discolouration and spotting of paper, creating brown or yellow spots, causing what is known as ‘foxing.’

This lack of knowledge gave an opportunity to develop a workshop to instruct people in how to create their own home mini- archive to then pass down through the generations. You can learn how to safeguard your precious memories and family treasures at our free Home Archiving Workshops in May and June.

These interactive sessions provide expert guidance on safely preserving your personal heirlooms, photographs, documents, and artifacts, in partnership with Liverpool Central Library and Liverpool Libraries and Information Services. You will leave equipped with skills and knowledge to keep your heritage safe for generations to come and even take-home materials to get you started on your first safe archive. Participants will learn practical, hands-on techniques using materials such as acid-free folders and specialist preservation methods. Sessions are limited capacity at Central library – Sat 17th May: 2- 4pm and Mon 19th May: 5:30- 7:30pm. 

For dates and locations of all the other FREE workshops in the regional libraries – see the calendar on the home page artsgroupie.org or email artgroupie@outlook.com to reserve a place.

Disclaimer: We are unable to give direct advice of genealogy or accept donations to the Liverpool Records Archive.

Kindly supported, by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to money raised by National Lottery players to offer free heritage activity in connection with the ‘Lights Up on Liverpool’ exhibition currently on display at Liverpool Central Library which launched in November 2024.

Culture Radar – Lucy Byrne (dot-art)

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Lucy Byrne - dot-art

This week our Culture Radar guest is Lucy Byrne, Managing Director, dot-art and member of the Culture Network LCR Board of Directors.

Loved: I loved Shirley Valentine at the Everyman; I went with my mother in law who saw the original play there 40 years ago which was extra special. River of Light at end of last year was as spectacular as ever, but I also have to say I really loved the last show at the dot-art Gallery, Iconic Women, which showcased the work of 3 female artists whose work celebrates the achievements of amazing women, both local, national and international.

Looking forward to: I can’t wait for Liverpool Biennial, which is always a treat for art lovers, but this year is curated by the wonderful Marie-Anne McQuay, plus we have the biggest ever Independents Biennial running alongside, so its really going to be wonderful. Looking into next year, I somehow managed to get tickets for Jodie Comer in Prima Facie at the Playhouse, which actually felt like winning the lottery as over 30,000 people tried!

Trivia: dot-art also runs Liverpool Art Fair, the annual, open submission selling exhibition which takes place in the Royal Liver Building. After the success of our 10th birthday last year where we showcased over 200 local artists, we are returning this summer from 11th July – 25th August. Artists who would like to get involved can submit work until 25th May!

15 Creative Kids Activities In Liverpool And The City Region

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The-Atkinson-Make-It-Craft-Workshop
The Atkinson’s Make It Craft Workshop

Liverpool and the city region is packed with fun creative workshops and activities that are perfect for sparking kids’ imaginations. If you’re looking for the best creative kids activities in Liverpool, from hands-on tech fun to immersive art sessions, there’s loads going on to keep them entertained over weekends and school holidays. Plus, these sessions help build confidence, creativity, and self-expression. Check out our go-to guide for the best kid-friendly creative events happening across Liverpool—lots of them are totally free!

Free Creative Events

FACT Do Something Saturdays ©Rob Battersby
FACT’s Do Something Saturdays. Credit: Rob Battersby

DoES Liverpool

This community makerspace offers free creative technology workshops where children (and adults) can explore digital making, coding, and hands-on tech projects. Their Maker Days, taking place on the second Saturday of every month are perfect for young inventors and those curious about how things work. DoES Liverpool provides a supportive environment for kids to develop STEM skills through creative play.

Do Something Saturdays at FACT

FACT’s Do Something Saturdays invite children and families to take part in free drop-in workshops combining art, tech, and storytelling. Each session is inspired by current exhibitions and themes, encouraging kids to experiment with digital tools, animation, and creative thinking in a fun and inclusive space.

Little Chameleons Art Club At Williamson Art Gallery

The Little Chameleons Art Club at the Williamson Art Gallery in Birkenhead offers free creative sessions where children can enjoy painting, drawing, and mixed media crafts. These relaxed, welcoming workshops are designed to nurture creativity and introduce children to the world of art in a gallery environment.

ArtsGroupie CIC

ArtsGroupie delivers free creative workshops throughout Liverpool, often focusing on local history and heritage. Their family-friendly sessions incorporate storytelling, crafts, and performance to engage children with Liverpool’s rich cultural past.

Little Liverpool 2024
Little Liverpool. Credit: Dave Jones

Creative Kids Activities with National Museums Liverpool

National Museums Liverpool offers a range of free creative activities across its venues, inspiring young minds through art, history, and science.

  • Art Play at Lady Lever Art Gallery: Hands-on sessions where children explore different materials and techniques, inspired by the gallery’s collections.
  • Big Art at Walker Art Gallery: Fun, collaborative workshops where kids create large-scale artworks in response to exhibitions.
  • Little Liverpool at Museum of Liverpool: An interactive space for young children to discover Liverpool’s history through imaginative play.
  • Spotlight Days at World Museum: Themed creative sessions combining science, world cultures, and hands-on making for curious kids.

The Atkinson

The Atkinson in Southport offers free creative activities for children throughout the year. Their Make It, Craft Workshops span visual arts, crafts, and performance, making this cultural hub worth the trip for families seeking creative experiences.

Premium Creative Experiences

Capoeira for All CIC
Capoeira for All CIC

Capoeira for All CIC​

Capoeira for All CIC offers dynamic and inclusive Capoeira classes for children in Liverpool, blending movement, music, and culture in a fun and supportive environment. Their sessions introduce young participants to the Afro-Brazilian art of Capoeira, combining elements of dance, acrobatics, and martial arts. Through engaging activities, children develop physical coordination, rhythm, and confidence while learning about the rich cultural heritage of Capoeira.

Everyman Theatre

The Everyman Theatre provides several paid workshop series for aspiring young performers and theatre enthusiasts:

  • Mini Maestros: Early years sessions introducing little ones to music, movement, and theatrical play
  • Tiny Tales: Storytelling sessions that bring literature to life through interactive performance
  • Technical Taster: Behind-the-scenes workshops exploring theatre lighting, sound, and stage management
  • Theatre Maker Taster: Comprehensive sessions covering acting, directing, and production for older children

Keep an eye on the Everyman and Playhouse website for creative events.

Mini dot-art Club

The Everyman Café hosts the Mini dot-art Club (0 – 5 year olds) and dot-art Club (8 – 13 year olds) where young artists can develop their visual creativity and artistic techniques through fun, collaborative workshops.

Planning Your Creative Adventures

Many of these venues offer special programming during school holidays, so check their websites before visiting. Most free activities operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though some may require advance booking despite being free. For the Everyman’s paid sessions, early booking is essential as these popular workshops tend to fill quickly.

To find more events happening across the Liverpool city region visit our What’s On listings.

Culture Radar – Paul Doyle (Leap Dance Festival)

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Paul Doyle Photo by Jazamin Sinclair
Credit: Jazamin Sinclair

This week our Culture Radar guest is Paul Doyle, Director, Leap Dance Festival.

Loved: I absolutely loved Glitterbox at Blackstone Warehouse last month: great vibe, good crowd, lots of disco house and David Morales. The Leap team also really enjoyed DaDaFest’s closing cabaret event: EAT ME x DadaFest present: RAGE (particularly Jay Farley’s reading from their new poetry collection A [Cupboard] Full of Tomboys, and songs from Crip Ladywood).

Looking forward to: Obviously we’re gearing up for the return of Leap Dance Festival (26th April – 9th May), and I’ve got my tickets for Radio 1’s Big Weekend and Cream Classical! It’s amazing to have so much happening in the city this summer – the team are also really excited about Liverpool Biennial and Independents Biennial 2025.

Trivia: Leap Dance Festival has been part of Liverpool City Region’s cultural calendar for nearly 30 years (formerly as part of Merseyside Dance Initiative’s annual programme). Chaos Arts CIC revived the festival in 2024 following the permanent closure of MDI in 2022, and last year we brought dance to over 37,000 people locally!

Buried Treasure With ArtsGroupie CIC: Celebrating 100 Years of Liverpool Empire Theatre

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By John Maguire

Empire Theatre Liverpool

In this latest instalment of Buried Treasure with ArtsGroupie CIC writer and theatre-maker John Maguire reflects on a century of storytelling, stars, and stagecraft at the iconic Liverpool Empire. As the theatre celebrates its 100th birthday, John takes us on a journey through its rich and dramatic past, reminding us why this majestic venue remains a jewel in Liverpool’s cultural crown.

2025 marks a significant birthday for one of Liverpool’s most beloved theatre’s, The Empire. ArtsGroupie recently attended a centenary celebration showing of Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers and we were reminded of the significance of this venue and its sheer majesty. For, the space is charged with a magical energy. Wonderful and electric. A result of the many dramas being played and audiences coming together to enjoy a piece of storytelling. 

For a century, the stage has been populated by theatrical productions, spectaculars, concerts, and a vast variety of entertainment. The theatre site itself is actually older than one hundred years. The first performance to take to the boards was Faust, opening on October 15, 1866, as the New Prince of Wales Theatre and Opera House. This building consisted of a lower story, with carved heads of dramatists Shakespeare, Schiller, Moliere and composers Beethoven and Rossini, above the first floor. A bold statement to indicate its function and figures chosen emblematical of drama and music.

Empire Theatre Liverpool - Courtesy of Liverpool Central Library Archives
Image Courtesy of Liverpool Central Library Archives

When it opened as the New Prince of Wales Theatre, it was Liverpool’s largest theatre built to date, though it was only two-thirds the size of The Empire which now stands in its place. The building changed hands in 1867 and was renamed in honour of the then Princess of Wales, Princess Alexandra of Denmark. It became known for a variety of Italian operas, plays, pantomimes, and burlesque. Esteemed thespian Henry Irving, renowned for his performances in revivals of Shakespeare’s plays performed at the venue, he became the first actor to ever be knighted. The exact dates of Irving’s performances at the Empire are not specified but, the theatre’s history indicates that he and other famous actors, including Ellen Terry, Sarah Bernhardt, and Marie Lloyd, were among the many notable performers who graced its stage. 

In 1895, it came under the ownership of a company called Empire Theatre (Liverpool) Ltd., though it retained the name Alexandra until December 1896, when after renovations it was reopened as the Empire Theatre. A production of Cinderella came direct from the Lyceum in London with an impressive two hundred performers in the spectacle. 

The theatre switched to Variety performances, until 1911 when it briefly showed silent motion pictures, (it gained the exclusive rights for Liverpool to show Kinemacolour, an invention of pioneer filmmaker George Albert Smith, with the likes of 1908’s ‘Natures Looking Glass’ – the only stereoscopic life motion pictures, reproducing the actual colours of nature without any means of colouring), before the opening of Liverpool’s first purpose built cinema in 1912, Lime Street Picture House (later The Futurist).

History of the Empire Theatre Liverpool - Courtesy of Liverpool Central Library Archives
Image Courtesy of Liverpool Central Library Archives

The theatre continued to host Variety entertainment throughout the First World War (1914-18) and finally closed for the last time in February 1924. The building was then demolished to make way for the much larger art deco Empire Theatre that we know today. The 1925 new build was constructed in the style of a New York City theatre. But the original plans had to be changed as they left out a key asset to a theatre’s profit making. As being modelled on an American venue, there were no bars included. Due to prohibition, venues in the states could not sell liquor.

The Empire’s stage was declared the largest in Great Britain, making it an attractive venue for big names internationally. Big musical productions came to Liverpool, like 1926 Lady Be Good starring Fred and Adele Astair.

Despite Liverpool being the most bombed city outside of London in WWII, The Empire survived and was managing to book Hollywood greats like Mae West (1947), Laurel and Hardy (1947), Judy Garland (1951), and Frank Sinatra (1953), amongst many others during the rebuilding effort. The theatre was still pulling in big names throughout the 1960s, and even during the peak of Liverpool’s economic decline The Empire, alongside the Royal Court had become an important rock and roll venue hosting the biggest rock acts in the world. The Rolling Stones, Bowie and Kate Bush, to name a few.

The theatre would go through multiple renovations and improvements over the years. The Empire is now Liverpool’s largest receiving house, attracting the countries biggest touring theatre shows. 

Here is to another hundred years of theatrical adventures.

Culture Radar – Laura Pye (National Museums Liverpool)

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Laura Pye - © Robin Clewley
Credit: Robin Clewley

This week our Culture Radar guest is Laura Pye, Director/ CEO at National Museums Liverpool and member of the Culture Network LCR Board of Directors.

Loved: I saw Shirley Valentine at the Everyman recently and absolutely loved it, I have seen the play a couple of times and felt this version was both the most true to the original script I had seen and yet the most contemporary feeling. It was brilliant theatre.

Looking forward to: There is always loads going on across the city region so often it hard to keep up, as we approach the summer I am looking forward to WoWFEST25 in May and I have had tickets for Hamilton at the Empire for what feels like years!

Trivia: National Museums Liverpool will be 40 next year, whilst many of our museums and galleries are much older than that we were brought together as a national arms length body by an act of parliament in 1986.

Culture Radar – Nicola Triscott (FACT)

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This week our Culture Radar guest is Nicola Triscott, Director/CEO of FACT and and member of the Culture Network LCR Board of Directors.

Loved: DaDa Fest’s Zoe Partington’s Painting in Light, stunning text-based light sculptures conveying slogans and messages from disabled people’s activism, in venues across the city. Also the photos and engaging stories of women disability activists, artists and leaders at Open Eye.

Looking forward to: Excited for Liverpool Biennial, this year curated by Marie-Anne McQuay. And, at FACT, Amartey Golding’s exhibition featuring a huge chainmail sculpture created in collaboration with imprisoned men from HMP Altcourse. Sadly, I missed the hot ticket of Jodie Comer in Prima Facie at the Playhouse next year!

Trivia: Last year, FACT opened Studio/Lab on its top floor, a creative space designed to support artists who want to learn and experiment with digital and immersive media. We have a growing membership with opportunities to showcase work at FACT.

10 Exhibitions In Liverpool And The City Region You Can’t Miss This Spring

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By Abbie Billington

Subterranean Elevator - Williamson Art Gallery

Spring is the time for nature to come alive, and with warm weather and blossoms in bloom, it’s impossible not to feel inspired. So why not get outside and enjoy some culture this season? There’s no shortage of incredible exhibitions in Liverpool to engage the mind and the senses. From buzzing soundscapes and sailing plants to a fond farewell to a beloved stadium, the city region is bursting with creativity.

1. No Iconic Images. Views of War, Open Eye Gallery (Open until 4 May)

No Iconic Images - Views of War

No Iconic Images. Views of War at Open Eye Gallery is a compelling exhibition that questions the role of war photography in our digital age. Featuring powerful work from Magnum photographers Peter van Agtmael and Newsha Tavakolian, it explores how images shape memory, media narratives, and public understanding of conflict. In collaboration with The Guardian and Magnum Photos, the show also highlights editorial decisions behind war coverage, with contributions from Forensic Architecture and Ukrainian artists Yarema Malashchuk and Roman Khimei. A timely and thought-provoking exhibition that challenges the idea of the “iconic” war image.

2. Bees: A Story of Survival, World Museum (Open until 5 May)

Bees: a Story of Survival

It’s nearly the time of year for our fuzzy friends to make the rounds again, so now is the perfect opportunity to learn more about them and how incredible they are! Bees: A Story of Survival, which opened at The World Museum last May brings together art and science to tell a story of 120 million years of adaptation and survival. Interactives, sculpture, projection and light all play a role in this stunning exhibition that will have you shouting: save the bees! Don’t miss your chance to see this exhibition before it closes.

3. Bahar Noorizadeh: Free to Choose & Christopher Kulendran Thomas: Safe Zone, FACT (Open until 11 May)

Christopher Kulendran Thomas, Safe Zone. Installation view at WIELS Centre for Contemporary Art, Brussels, 2024. Courtesy the artist. Photo by Andrea Rossetti

Two powerful exhibitions at FACT invite you to explore the complex forces shaping our world — from speculative futures to real-life turning points. In Free to Choose, Bahar Noorizadeh presents a “financial science-fiction opera” that imagines the credit system of the future as a Central Time Travel Agency. This immersive film explores the absurdities of finance through a surreal, neoliberal lens.

In Safe Zone, Christopher Kulendran Thomas explores the political, economic, and cultural forces that shape our world. Through painting, video and sound, he links global events like 9/11 and the Mullivaikkal massacre to the ongoing ripples they create today.

There’s also still a few weeks left to catch Art Plays Games in the upstairs gallery, which showcases how games help us make sense of the world and how they are their own storytelling model. So if you like art and video games (let’s be honest, the two go hand-in-hand), then you’ll love this exhibition.

4. The Plant That Stowed Away, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North (Open until 11 May)

The Plant That Stowed Away
Copyright: (c) Succession Henri Matisse/DACS 2017 / Photo (c) Tate

Plants have always had a way of connecting people, and in this exhibition at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, the connections between the trading history of cities like Liverpool and the global movements of plants and people are traced through art and photography. Wirral-born photographer Chris Shaw is the thread of inspiration for The Plant That Stowed Away, with many of the pieces building on his narratives and highlighting how urban and natural environments have been changed by growing industrialisation. Even in cities we have always co-existed with the natural world, and this exhibition serves as a reminder of that fact. 

5. Liverpool Lines, dot-art (Open until 17 May)

Liverpool Lines

Liverpool Lines exhibition celebrates the city region’s architectural heritage through the distinctive works of dot-art Artist Members Alexis Butterfield, Nicola McGovern, and Richard Farrell. From iconic waterfront landmarks to hidden corners, these artists capture Liverpool’s diverse landscapes using varied techniques—from gold-leafed pen drawings to intricate papercut collages and watercolor with ink wash—offering fresh perspectives on the buildings that have shaped the city’s soul and spirit.

6. Metamorphosis: Johnny Vegas and Emma Rodgers, Walker Art Gallery (Open until 29 June)

Metamorphosis

Did you know that Johnny Vegas has a degree in Arts and Ceramics? Now you do! After “life got in the way”, Johnny Vegas rediscovered his artistic talent after a chance meeting with local sculptor Emma Rodgers. The two have come together to collaborate on an exhibition cantering around the idea of metamorphosis, creating pieces out of bronze, clay and 3D printing. From the tragic figure of Icarus all the way to a fragile female figure, Vegas and Rodgers take us through their interpretations of flight, faith, and transformation.

7. Graham Crowley: I Paint Shadows, Walker Art Gallery (On until 13 July)

Graham Crowley I Paint Shadows

Graham Crowley first had his work exhibited at the Walker Art Gallery in 1976 during the John Moores Painting Prize. He has a long-standing history with the gallery, and this solo display offers the opportunity for visitors to see his work on a more intimate level and gain a deeper understanding. His signature style of experimenting with light, shadows and luminosity creates some striking pieces of art that will stick with you for some time.

8. The Holly Johnson Story, Museum of Liverpool (On until 27 July)

Curator Tour: The Holly Johnson Story, NML 2024

1980s Britain was a turbulent time for many. While music was seeing a drastic revolution, so were the social and political environments. At the forefront of all of this was pop icon Holly Johnson. The Holly Johnson Story charts Holly’s early personal life as well as his career, growing from a young musician to an internationally renowned, openly gay star, living in the public eye. While also shining a light on Holly himself, the Museum of Liverpool is telling the stories of people who experienced the gay scene in the 1980s, and the devastating legacy of the HIV crisis. For fans of Holly Johnson, and those interested in his impact on the music and LGBTQ+ scenes, this is not an exhibition to be missed. 

9. Goodbye to Goodison, Museum of Liverpool (On until 21 September 2025)

Goodbye to Goodison, World Museum 2025

Goodison Park has been the home of Everton FC since 1892, and many a legendary match has taken place under its lights. But as the club sets its sights on its future at Bramley Moore Dock stadium, the Museum of Liverpool looks back on Goodison’s final season as the home of The Blues. The exhibition highlights the pubs, chippys and streets in L4, shining a light on the matchday traditions of fans across the club. Bring a pack of tissues and your finest blue scarf as we say a fond farewell to The Grand Old Lady.

10. Subterranean Elevator, Williamson Art Gallery (On Until 20 December)

Descend into the world of Subterranean Elevator at the Williamson Art Gallery and discover what it means to become one with the earth and soil. This installation is a sensory exploration, taking visitors on a journey through mesmerising sounds and projected visuals into the inner worlds of soil and the subconscious mind. It invites collective contemplation and asks us to remember our connection to living and nonliving beings alike. It is a stark look at the emotional landscape of the climate emergency, an important reminder for each and every one of us.

Discover more exhibitions and arts events happening across the Liverpool city region via our What’s On listings.

8 Things To Do In Easter Half Term In Liverpool and The City Region

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Little Liverpool 2024

With the Easter half term upon us, it’s time for some family fun! If you’re looking for exciting things to do in Easter half term, the Liverpool city region has an exciting lineup of events—from interactive theatre and creative workshops to hands-on crafts and more. The best part? Many of them won’t cost you a penny!

1. Bugs Are Us, Tate Liverpool (5 – 21 April)

Bugs Are Us Tate Liverpool

Take inspiration from the creepy crawlies in Tate’s collection this Easter half term in Liverpool with Bugs Are Us and construct multi-coloured neon replicas of your favourite bugs. Use the materials from our pick ‘n’ mix recycled craft box to make a 3D model of your bug. On Saturday 5 April, 1 – 5pm, there will also be a free workshop led by artist Colette Whittington. You’ll learn how to make relief stamps to print bug patterns and textures that can be used in your bug models.

2. Through Shadows We Learn, Libraries Across Liverpool City Region (8 April – 10 May)

Shadow Puppet Workshops

Join ArtsGroupie this Easter half term in Liverpool for Through Shadows We Learn, free shadow puppetry across a range of Libraries in the city and surrounding region. Shadow puppetry encourages children to engage in creativity, and unleash their imaginations. Children will devise their own characters and stories, and create their own puppets, culminating in a celebratory puppet showcase at Liverpool Central Library.

3. Little Liverpool – Easter and Spring Special, Museum Of Liverpool (8 – 27 April)

Little Liverpool 2024

This Easter half term it’s time to celebrate Easter and Spring in at the Museum of Liverpool! Join us to explore our Little Liverpool gallery with some added Spring crafts, activities and fun for those aged 0 – 5 years.

4. The Gruffalo, Playhouse Theatre (8 – 12 April)

Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler – which celebrated 25 years in 2024!

Songs, laughs and monstrous fun for children aged 3 and up and their grown-ups, in the much-loved show that’s toured Britain and the world!

5. War Horse Page To Stage, Empire Theatre (16 April)

War Horse Page To Stage

For young theatre enthusiasts, this behind-the-scenes workshop offers a unique insight into the creative process behind War Horse. Led by Resident Director Anna Marshall and members of the touring company, the hour and a half session explores key moments in the show, the director’s vision, and the rehearsal process. Participants will also learn about puppetry and the technical magic that brings War Horse to life, with a chance to ask questions at the end. It’s suitable for Key Stage 3-5 (ages 10+).

6. Make It! Craft Workshop, The Atkinson (17 April)

The Atkinson Make It Craft Workshop

Enjoy a free, drop-in arts and crafts workshop at The Atkinson’s Art Box, open to all ages. Materials are provided, and children under 12 must be supervised by an adult. Running from 11am – 3pm, spaces are first come, first served, so there may be a short wait for a craft table.

7. The Sticky Dance, Park Farm Community Centre (April 26)

The Sticky Dance

Three dancers’ shimmy through the audience weaving a tapestry of sticky tape in this tactile dance performance for young children. This Easter half term in Liverpool they invite you to tape, stick and groove, to see and feel sound or to be still, watch and listen. The Sticky Dance is an interactive, engaging and colourful performance installation for children and their families.

8. The Baddies, The Atkinson (30 April – 1 May)

The Baddies, The Atkinson
Meet the very worst Baddies in the world! Don’t you dare to come too close to a witch, a troll and an ancient ghost! With songs by Joe Stilgoe (Zog and Zog and The Flying Doctors), The Baddies is a wickedly hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit story. A laugh-out-loud riot for all the family.

For even more things to do in Easter half term in Liverpool and the city region check out our What’s On Listings.

Culture Radar – Madeline Heneghan (Writing on the Wall)

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Madeline Heneghan

This week our Culture Radar guest is Madeline Heneghan, Co-Director, Writing on the Wall and member of the Culture Network LCR Board of Directors.

Loved: The launch of Jay Farley’s debut poetry book A Cupboard Full of Tomboys. Jay’s performance accompanied by techo music, was inspired and powerful. Rough Trade provided the perfect vibe and it was packed to the rafters.

Looking forward to: Sorry but it has to be WoWFest25! Our month-long annual festival returns in May and this year we’re celebrating a quarter of century of Writing on the Wall. We’re delighted with the programme and looking forward to welcoming old friends and WoW first timers, including Irvine Welsh, The Singh Twins, Gary Younge, Jackie Kay, Frank Cottrel Boyce and loads more. I’m very proud that during the festival we will be presenting Liverpool Rising Against Racism in partnership with Love Music Hate Racism & Liverpool City Halls in a cultural show of unity in the face of those that try to divide us.

Trivia: I’m the queen of the poached egg, no vinegar, no swirling – mine are perfect time. Trivia about WoW: We were part of the team that wrote the beautiful heritage plaques on Princes Boulevard. It’s one of favourite places in the city. Come and check it out.