LivEveryPlay is a podcast from Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres, hosted by their Creative Director, Nathan Powell. It’s where playwrights, directors, actors and all creatives come together to talk theatre in all its forms, from backstage secrets to onstage magic.
In this very first episode, Nathan is joined by playwright Billie Collins, writer of The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure. They talk about the journey of a play, from the first idea to the final draft, and how The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure changed across eight versions before reaching the stage. Billie shares what it’s like to hand over work to a creative team and reflects on the question many writers face: “Am I the right person to tell this story?”
And of course, it wouldn’t be the podcast without a round of Either Or. What will Billie choose?
✅ Listen now on Spotify
The Walrus Has a Right To Adventure by Billie Collins is running until 21 June.
Tickets start at £11. Don’t miss it!
Community Post Type: News
Drawing With Coal: UK – Poland solo exhibition by Jordan L Rodgers, The ArtHouse, Southport, starts 17 Jun ’25
Drawing With Coal: UK – Poland solo exhibition by Jordan L Rodgers (aka. Węglowy Artysta)
17th June – 5th July 2025
The ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Southport
Tues thro Fri 10.00 – 15.00 and Sat 11.00 – 16.00.
Keen eyed regional aficionados of contemporary art will already be familiar with the arresting gestural drama that characterise Jordan L Rodgers’ brutalist landscapes.
Jordan’s highly individual work bridges the cultural heritage of the UK and Poland and is driven by his deep fascination with industrial history and its preservation. Through bold compositions of line, tone and form, Jordan skillfully captures the raw energy of these landscapes by transforming their historical significance into visual narratives, each piece becoming a story in itself.
Originally from Liverpool, Jordan who is known in Poland as Węglowy Artysta, exploits his bravura technique to push the boundaries of traditional drawing through his innovative exploration of using coal as an artistic medium.
The modernist architecture and industrial landscapes of Poland have become key ingredients in Jordan’s output: “As someone who has found a home in both countries, I am drawn to the parallels between their histories. My time spent walking the coalfields of Upper Silesia, sketching the structures of collieries and immersing myself in these industrial environments has deepened my connection to Poland’s mining heritage. At the same time, I continue my work across the UK, documenting sites that reflect the country’s past.”
A 2012 graduate in Fine Art at Lancaster University, Jordan’s distinctive mark-making has recently been exhibited at the Editions Gallery in Liverpool and is included in this year’s Sefton Open now on at The Atkinson in Southport.
Previously showcased in both solo and group exhibitions, Jordan’s drawings have gained national and international recognition including the Aesthetica Art Prize, the 100 Contemporary Artists Anthology and Jerwood Drawing Prize.
Jordan is now gearing up for his latest solo exhibition at The ArtHouse in Southport: “Drawing With Coal: UK – Poland is a personal exhibition that interprets my journey through the industrial landscapes of both the UK and Poland. Through charcoal drawings created on-site, I explore the rich history of coal mining and shipbuilding, two industries that have shaped communities, economies and identities. This exhibition serves as both a tribute and a dialogue, honouring the resilience of workers and the lasting impact of industry on our cultural heritage”.
Key locations in Jordan’s investigations in the UK included the Lancashire Mining Museum at Astley Green and South Wales’ Cefn Coed Colliery Museum. In Poland Jordan also visited the historic Zabytkowa Kopalnia Ignacy in Rybnik and Park Tradycji in Siemianowice Śląskie: “Many of these former industrial sites are now protected as museums or Scheduled Monuments, preserving their cultural and historical significance for future generations. The Gdansk Shipyard, known for its pivotal role in Poland’s industrial heritage and its connection to global events like the Solidarity movement, offers a fascinating contrast to the history of Liverpool’s docks and port. These connections between two nations, shaped by coal, steel and the sea, resonate throughout my work”.
By combining historical, architectural and cultural influences within a single composition, Jordan’s treatment of multiple perspectives and manipulation of geometric shapes provides a flattened picture plane reminiscent of the linear Cubist mannerisms of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque.
As well as capturing the artistic exchange between two historically and culturally rich regions, Jordan intends ‘Drawing With Coal’ will offer more than the sum of its parts: “Beyond history, this exhibition is also about community. With an established Polish community in Southport and Liverpool, I hope to create a space where shared heritage can be reflected upon, remembered, and reimagined through art”.
Drawing With Coal: UK – Poland will be on display 17th June – 5th July 2025 at The ArtHouse, 65 Eastbank Street, Southport, Tues thro Fri 10.00 – 15.00 and Sat 11.00 – 16.00.
Save St James Library petition and event – Collective Encounters, held 16 Jun ’25
Abi (Co-Artistic Director at Collective Encounters) is currently working at St James Centre exploring creative ways to support their Save the Library campaign.
There will be a public sharing of the work, with poster making and soapbox moments on Monday 16th June 3pm – 5pm, all are welcome.
Visit www.collective-encounters.org.uk/events for more information and to sign a petition to help save this vital service.
The Culture Network LCR Celebrates a Transformative First Year of Growth and Impact
The Culture Network LCR CIC, the new membership organisation championing the Liverpool City Region’s arts and culture sector, is marking a milestone first year since launching in Spring 2024. With 65+ member organisations and growing, the network has quickly become a vital advocate for the region’s creative and cultural sector—driving collaboration, supporting economic growth, and expanding access to culture across the region.
A Year of Impact – At a Glance
- 65+ cultural member organisations and growing across the Liverpool City Region
- £100 million+ contributed annually to the regional economy by member organisations
- £87 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) from the sector to the local economy
- 11.6 million attendees reached across cultural events in the past year
- 1.2 million participants actively engaged in cultural programmes
- 33,500+ cultural events delivered by network members
Collectively, member organisations contribute over £100 million annually to the regional economy. With the inclusion of members Liverpool John Moores University and University of Liverpool, this impact rises even more dramatically to over £800 million. The network’s members (excluding the listed universities) employ more than 2,000 full time equivalent cultural professionals, contributing over £87 million in Gross Value Added to the LCR economy. This employment figure doesn’t even include part time, freelance or commissioned creatives!
Over the past year, members attracted 11.6 million attendees and engaged 1.2 million participants across more than 33,500 cultural events. The network has grown by 47% since launching, expanding far beyond Liverpool city. Notably, 67% of members deliver programming in the surrounding boroughs, with 25% based in those areas, ensuring that access to arts and culture extends across the region.
The Culture Network LCR has formed five member-led working groups focusing on Strategy, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Access (EDIA), Joint Promotion, Metal’s Sustainability Network ‘Shift’, plus Participation & Skills. These groups have led initiatives that include hosting nine sector-wide roundtable discussions, engaging with the Culture Secretary during the Labour Party Conference, lobbying MPs and councillors on funding and policy issues, and contributing to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s Civil Society Covenant.
“Our first year has shown the incredible power of collaboration across the region’s cultural and creative sector,” said Charlotte Corrie, Executive Director of The Culture Network LCR. “By speaking with one voice, networking and sharing resources, we’ve amplified our collective impact and are working hard to tackle major challenges together.”
“Arts & Culture is our bread and butter. We tell our story; we keep our city and the region on the map – locally, nationally, globally – that’s our superpower! Our city region’s culture speaks loud and proud—through our artists, our arts organisations, theatres, museums, galleries, film, comedy, music venues, and more.”
Connecting Audiences and Creating Opportunities
The network’s promotional platform, Uncover Liverpool, has become a key cultural resource—showcasing over 1,500 events, 500+ job opportunities, and more than 280 callouts for participation. A new purpose-built automated listings system is now live, enabling member organisations to have their events automatically added to the site—saving valuable time and ensuring consistent visibility for their programmes.
Across four network-wide gatherings—two in-person ‘Connects’ and two online ‘Catalysts’—over 680 attendees have come together to share ideas, spark collaborations, and build new partnerships.
Faye Dyer, CEO of The ACC Liverpool Group said, “We’re really enjoying the increased connectivity, the shared voice, and the relevant, engaging updates from across the network.”
Zi Lan Liao, CEO of Pagoda Arts said, “It’s truly inspiring to see the shared knowledge and the unified voice we’re cultivating together. The opportunities we’re creating to connect, share, and grow are invaluable, and I’m so excited about what we can achieve in the future as culture organisations in Liverpool and the region.”
Looking Ahead
As it moves into its second year, The Culture Network LCR has announced plans to grow its reach and membership, plus support for members through areas like:
- Peer-led training and mentoring opportunities
- A comprehensive members directory
Meet The Network
To celebrate the collective strength and creativity of the network, member organisation First Take has produced a short film spotlighting the diverse arts and culture organisations that make up The Culture Network LCR.
Watch the video here: https://vimeo.com/
Want to be part of a growing movement supporting arts and culture across the Liverpool City Region? Learn more and explore membership in the Culture Network LCR CIC Membership Pack here or visit culturenetwork.co.uk.
INDIKA, Milap’s festival of Indian Arts, returns to Liverpool this October 2025
Chiming with Milap’s 40 year anniversary, this October, the INDIKA festival will feature a programme of Indian music and dance, ranging from cutting-edge contemporary to deeply rooted traditional forms, plus yoga, poetry, storytelling and participatory activities for all the family.
INDIKA events will take place across iconic Liverpool City Region venues, including The Tung Auditorium, Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room, Future Yard, The Everyman and more to be announced soon.
INDIKA showcases the best of contemporary Indian Arts and Culture, presenting a bold and varied programme that celebrates India’s diverse cultural traditions. With Diwali falling on 20th October this year, Milap’s Diwali celebrations will feature as a centrepiece of this year’s INDIKA.
Audiences won’t just watch and listen to performances – they’ll feel them. With music, dance, food and storytelling from across India, INDIKA offers a multi-sensory experience that brings people together through culture and leaves audiences moved. Milap continues its work to connect audiences with the vibrant sounds and compelling stories of India, showcasing its enduring influence on the world stage – right here in Merseyside!
Liverpool Theatre School Presents You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown, held 16 / 17 Jun ’25
Liverpool Theatre School’s graduating students are set to bring classic Peanuts characters to life during a heartwarming performance of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown. The uplifting musical, starring talented final year Level 6 Musical Theatre Diploma students, will run at the Hope Street Theatre from 16 -17 June.
Based on the comic strip Peanuts by Charles M Schulz, Liverpool Theatre School’s charming production follows Charlie Brown and his endearing friends – Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Sally and Snoopy – as they navigate the simple joys and challenges of childhood. Promising a delightful evening of nostalgia and song, You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown captures the essence of growing up, exploring everything from simple pleasures like baseball games and flying kites to the pressures of school and romance.
Directed by Sharon Byatt, with musical direction from Jordan Alexander, the production is the culmination of three years of professional training and artistic development for Liverpool Theatre School’s graduating students. As one of their last performances together as a group, the musical provides an opportunity to showcase their acting, singing and dance skills before they go on to work in the industry.
“This production is more than just a show, it’s a celebration of our talented final year students as they come to the end of their musical theatre training and prepare for life as professional performers,” said Liverpool Theatre School Principal Maxine Ellis. “I’m incredibly proud of how much every one of our graduating students has grown over the last few years, both as performers and individuals. We’re really looking forward to putting on a fantastic show – everyone is welcome to join us for an evening of laughter, nostalgia and toe tapping tunes.”
Liverpool Theatre School, whose patrons include dance legend Wayne Sleep OBE and musical theatre star Anita Dobson, accepts only the most talented students on its professional training programmes in musical theatre and dance. The centre of excellence boasts a long list of alumni with graduates going on to join the cast of hit shows such as Mamma Mia!, Frozen, SIX, Starlight Express, Blood Brothers and Wicked.
The performing arts school, located near the city’s creative quarter on Sefton Street, aims to provide the next generation of professional performers with the skills required for a successful career in the industry. As part of its commitment to making high level musical theatre and dance training more accessible to working class performers, Liverpool Theatre School offers a number of fully funded places and bursaries every year.
Tickets for Liverpool Theatre School’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown are available from Ticketquarter at £18 / £10.25 (concessions), including booking fee.
To find out more about Liverpool Theatre School, please visit liverpooltheatreschool.co.uk.
New Liverpool open-air cinema brings movies to the Mansion, starts 30 July ’25
This July, The Reader is launching Liverpool’s biggest new open-air cinema in the beautiful Calderstones Park.
The Reader‘s eight handpicked films, ranging from literary adaptations to feel-good classics and family-friendly favourites, will be hitting the screen under the stars between Wednesday 30 July and Thursday 28 August, set against the backdrop of the Grade II listed Georgian Mansion House.
Jen Chapman, Associate Director of Marketing, Communications & Digital at The Reader, the UK’s largest Shared Reading charity, said: “Open air cinema is such a fun experience and our gorgeous Mansion House garden in Calderstones Park is just the perfect space for it. We’ve carefully chosen some of the very best, and much-loved adaptations of literary classics told on the big screen – all best enjoyed with a freshly baked pizza, a chilled glass of fizz and someone you love.”
The first film to open the summer season on Wednesday 30 July, 9pm is 1999 high school rom com 10 Things I Hate About You, a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. It will be followed by the 1989 comedy Shirley Valentine on Thursday 31 July, 9pm, adapted from Willy Russell’s monologue about a Liverpudlian housewife’s transformational trip to the Greek island of her dream, and Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-winning coming of age period drama, Little Women, on Thursday 7 August, 8.45pm, based on Louisa May Alcott’s 1868 novel.
Enjoy the perfect summer holiday watch and ABBA singalong under the summer sky with Mamma Mia! on Friday 8 August, 8.45pm, and paying homage to Jane Austen’s 250 year anniversary is the 1995 all-star adaptation of Sense & Sensibility with Hugh Grant, Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet on Sunday 10 August, 8.45pm. Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 remake of Shakespeare’s teen tragedy, Romeo & Juliet, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes, will also be screened on Friday 15 August, 8.30pm.
The season draws to a close with two family-friendly films: the 2022 version of Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical, an adaptation of the RSC’s Tony and Olivier Award-winning musical, on Wednesday 27 August, 8.15pm and 2024 blockbuster musical Wicked on Thursday 28 August, 8.15pm starring Cynthia Arivo and Ariana Grande.
This new outdoor cinema has been made possible thanks to a grant by social investor Livv Investment, part of Livv Housing Group, based in Prescot.
Sharon Marsh, Executive Director at Livv Investment, said: “We’re delighted to be investing in The Reader and are pleased to hear their plans for an open-air cinema over the summer. By investing in The Reader, we’re not just supporting the arts – we’re helping to facilitate measurable social impact. Reading initiatives and cultural events build stronger, healthier communities, reduce isolation, and foster resilience. It’s a powerful return on investment in human connection and creativity, and we’re looking forward to seeing this investment come to life.”
TICKETS, TREATS & SEATS
Gates will open an hour before screening time in the lawned, festoon lit landscaped garden. Arrive early and soak up the atmosphere with music, food and drinks under the summer sky. Pre-orders will be taken for Hot Dogs (VE available) £8, Nachos, (VE available), £8, and Pizzas (Margherita or Pepperoni, VE available), £14.
Treat yourself to a bottle of fizz for £25 or a bucket of Peroni beers (six bottles) for £20. Book a deckchair for £5 or bring your own picnic blanket.
Tickets cost £14.50 for adults and £9.50 for under 16s. Calderstones members (http://thereader.org.uk/visit-calderstones/calderstones-membership/) will be able to save 10% and receive priority booking from 10am on Friday 6 June. General sale opens from Tuesday 10 June. All bookings can be made here, https://thereader.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows?tags=cinema2025
The new film season is part of the charity’s al fresco programming. It also runs an annual vibrant summer open-air theatre season, which saw 2025’s upcoming productions launched in spring. To see What’s On visit here, https://thereader.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows.
All profits will support The Reader’s charitable work transforming lives through literature in Liverpool and beyond.
FULL LIST OF FILMS:
10 Things I Hate About You (12)
Wednesday 30 July, 9pm
“I hate you so much it makes me sick – It even makes me rhyme”
This whip-smart retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew starring Health Ledger and Julia Stiles is packed with iconic moments and snappy one-liners. It’s “too good to be true”.
1999 / 1hr 37min
Shirley Valentine (15)
Thursday 31 July, 9pm
“Why do we get all these feelings and dreams and hopes if we don’t ever use them?”
The much-loved film adaptation of Willy Russell’s play about a fed-up Liverpool housewife who takes a life-changing trip to Greece and rediscovers her sparkle, her sense of adventure and the joy of life.
1989 / 1h 48min
Little Women (U)
Thursday 7 August, 8.45pm
“I just wish I was rich, and I could spend my whole life in a hammock reading”
Greta Gerwig sprinkles her directorial magic onto Louise May Alcott’s classic coming-of-age novel about the four beloved March sisters and the unbreakable bonds of love.
2019 / 2h 15min
Mamma Mia! (12)
Friday 8 August, 8.45pm
“Life is short. The world is wide. I want to make some memories”
Dust off your dungarees! This star-studded musical comedy sound tracked by ABBA’s greatest hits feels like a mini holiday on screen. Perfect for watching under the summer sky. 2008 / 1h 48min
Sense & Sensibility (U)
Sunday 10 August, 8.45pm
“My heart is, and always will be, yours.”
Jane Austen’s timeless tale of class, love and money shimmering with pitch perfect performances from an A-list British cast.
1995 / 2h 16min
Romeo & Juliet (12)
Friday 15 August, 8.30pm
“Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne’er saw true beauty till this night.”
Baz Luhrmann’s breathtaking adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragedy feels as fresh today as when it first hit the big screen and features one of the greatest soundtracks in cinema history.
1996 / 2h
Matilda the Musical (PG)
Wednesday 27 August, 8.15pm
“All the reading she had done had given her a view of life that they had never seen.”
This riotous musical of Roald Dahl’s story about an extraordinary girl celebrates kindness, courage and taking a stand for what is right. Even if that means being a little bit naughty…
2022 / 1h 57min
Wicked (PG)
Thursday 28 August, 8.15pm
“As someone told me lately, everyone deserves the chance to fly.”
Take flight with this musical phenomenon featuring knockout performances, impossibly beautiful visuals and certified bangers. Pure magic.
2024 / 2h 40min
Major public and private investment secured for the transformation of Tate Liverpool
Tate Liverpool today announced major public and private investment towards the reimagining of the landmark gallery on Royal Albert Dock. This included £12m of funding from the DCMS’s Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund as well as generous philanthropic donations from the Garfield Weston Foundation, and The Ross Warburton Charitable Trust.
The redevelopment of Tate Liverpool will transform the UK’s most-popular modern and contemporary art gallery outside London. The project is now entering the final phase of fundraising ahead of the gallery’s reopening in 2027. A beacon for cultural regeneration in the north since it first opened in 1988, the gallery’s transformation has been described as Britain’s most important cultural project and will make a vital contribution to Liverpool’s £6bn visitor economy.
Last month Tate Liverpool announced that the first major retrospective of artist Chila Kumari Singh Burman will form part of the reopening programme, which will be a celebration of the rich culture of the North.
Tate Liverpool director, Helen Legg, said: “We’re grateful to the government for this investment and for their vote of confidence as we realise this once-in-a-generation renewal of Tate Liverpool. I am also thankful for the support of the trusts, foundations and private donors whose investment will ensure we serve the needs of artists and audiences, now and into the future. The bold transformation of Tate Liverpool will be invaluable to the region’s visitor economy, a catalyst for the next era of waterfront redevelopment, and an opportunity for our communities to enjoy world-class art and culture in the heart of Liverpool.”
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: “Liverpool is one of the great cities of the world and the transformation of Tate Liverpool will mean this amazing cultural venue can continue to flourish for future generations. I’m delighted our Public Bodies Infrastructure Fund is supporting this redevelopment, which will strengthen Liverpool’s economy and encourage even more people to visit this incredible city that has culture at its heart. Our support is part of this government’s commitment to ensure arts and culture is accessible to everyone right across the country.”
Designed by 6a architects, Tate Liverpool’s renovation will see the iconic gallery reimagined for the 21st century, opening up spaces to display the incredible variety of Tate’s collection and host world-class exhibitions. These galleries will sit alongside new public spaces for play, relaxation and learning with views across the Mersey, helping to connect the gallery with the city and communities that surround it.
The transformation will allow the gallery to meet the scale and ambition of today’s most exciting artists and to welcome visitors into a brand-new museum environment. The designs include a new public ‘Art Hall’ on the ground floor. Opening up the gallery’s façade will increase its visibility on the waterfront, creating an inviting destination within the Royal Albert Dock. The project will also make a greener gallery, reducing running costs and replacing core infrastructure to end the building’s reliance on fossil fuels.
The Rise Up Rebel Writers Showcase – Liverpool Royal Court Studio, held 10 Jun ’25
Book now for The Rise Up Rebel Writers Night at Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio
6 writers. 6 powerful stories. One unforgettable night.
Be there when the next generation of Black & GEM voices take the mic.
June 10 | £6 | 📍 Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio
Tickets available here
Collective Encounters Open Space Guest Speakers Announced, held 18 Jun ’25
Open Space: Guest Speaker Announcement:
Collective Encounters delighted to share they will be joined by Penny Caffrey, Pei Yee Tong & Maria Malone from Movema, along with Alan Lane from Slung Low at their upcoming Open Space event titled ‘Alternative Hierarchies in Arts Organisations’.
Prompted by findings from the Imagine it Different report (Clore Leadership, 2024), they’ll ask how alternative leadership models centred on collaboration, shared decision-making and community might better reflect the values of participatory and socially engaged practice.
Guest speakers will offer provocations drawn from real-life experience in non-traditional arts organisations. Then, it’s over to you—the conversation is shaped by participants.
📅Wednesday 18 June 2025
📍 Online via Zoom
⏰10am-1pm
🎟 £5 via link here