Community Post Type: News

Racism is multifaceted, intangible and a complex system of oppression that operates through attitudes, actions, and policies to create unequal life outcomes based on race or ethnicity.

It is often thought of as the product of individual prejudice, whereby bad people hold prejudicial and discriminatory ideas. However, beyond
this simple good vs bad notion, racism involves power dynamics that privilege certain groups while disadvantaging and excluding others, even where this is not intentional or conscious

Racism also shifts its focus, often marginalising different groups at different times, shifting almost seamlessly from anti-Irish prejudice
and discrimination, to Jewish communities, people of African and Caribbean heritage, people from South-East Asian communities, manifesting as Islamophobia and often heightened during periods of political instability and economic crisis.

Liverpool City Region’s Anti-Racism Strategy provides an understanding of these different forms of racism, not as an academic exercise, but in order to enable recognition, so that we have the tools and strategies to address them in a way that is both effective and that brings about tangible change.

The initial step is to identify which types of racism are applicable to each organisation or group or individual. Identifying the types of racism should be a dynamic, ongoing learning process that includes Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups as a key part of the identification and prioritisation process.

The next step involves understanding how to implement the necessary actions that will address these identified types of racism. Once again Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups and communities should form a key part in identifying effective action and the appropriate roadmap and timeframe in which outcomes can be expected to be realised and to identify what success looks like.

Finally, the sharing of good practice, an honest assessment of what did or did not work and why, is critical for greater learning and understanding and where you can, find ways to celebrate your successes.

Read the full strategy here

Inspired by the life of Paul O’Grady, the new comedy SAVAGE will make its world premiere in 2027, touring to Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 March 2027, with RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard in the title role.

Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres Creative Director Nathan Powell said:

“We’re excited to welcome Paul O’Grady’s much-loved Lily Savage to the Playhouse stage, celebrating a character whose wit, warmth and unmistakable spirit have left a lasting mark on audiences across the country.

This season brings together so much of what we value at the Playhouse, powerful drama, exceptional contemporary dance, family favourites and unforgettable one-night events. From award-winning productions to beloved TV stars, the programme celebrates bold, inclusive storytelling and offers audiences from across Liverpool and beyond a great night out.”

Award-winning Circus Zambia and Wake the Beast present Afronauts on Friday 4 September 2026, tells one of Zambia’s most bittersweet yet hopeful stories through a cosmic clash of circus, theatre, music, dance and space exploration, sharply questioning the true meaning of freedom and global equality.

Five-star comedy sensation from the West End and Laurence Olivier Award winner for Best Comedy, Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of), from Tuesday 13 to Saturday 17 October 2026. This is followed by Tracy-Ann Oberman’s return to the Playhouse with a new production of Noël Coward’s Present Laughter, running from Tuesday 20 to Saturday 24 October 2026.

Audiences looking for a chilling night at the theatre can enjoy two horror productions coming to the Playhouse. The Haunting of Hill House, based on the novel by Shirley Jackson, is adapted for the stage by Olivier and BAFTA Award winner Stef Smith and directed by Sky Arts Award winner Martin Constantine, and runs from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 November 2026. Charles Dickens’ nerve-tingling ghostly masterpiece, The Signalman, stars Chris Walker (Doctors, Merseybeat, Playing the Field, The Bill and Coronation Street) and John Burton (Father Brown), alongside James Morley, Bruce and Adam Mort, and comes back to Merseyside from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 January 2027.

Internationally acclaimed choreographer Jasmin Vardimon returns to Liverpool with a groundbreaking new production that echoes the emotional depth of her 2003 breakthrough work Lullaby on Friday 9 October, while innovative theatre company imitating the dog brings Remember Romeo, a tender reimagining of Shakespeare’s enduring love story, to

the city from Wednesday 10 to Saturday 13 March 2027.

Looking for the perfect half-term treat, families can enjoy Sir Charlie Stinky Socks and the Really Big Adventure by Kristina Stephenson, celebrating the 20th anniversary of

the much-loved modern classic. Featuring live music, glorious puppets, interactive storytelling, magical props and plenty of laughs, the show runs from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October 2026. Families can also look forward to the return of Eric Carle’s timeless The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show, featuring a menagerie of more than 75 magical larger-than-life puppets, wiggle their way back to Liverpool from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February 2027.

Autumn one-night shows promise plenty of laughs and a great night out. In September, audiences can catch regular guest on BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz and The Now Show, Scott Bennett with Stuff on Wednesday 9, followed by the return of the sold-out Mike Wozniak: The Bench on Friday 11 due to huge demand and Sindhu Vee’s Swanky on Saturday 12. Later in the month, Daniel Kitson brings his new comedy show Thrum on Wednesday 16, Taskmaster alumnus John Kearns presents his brand-new stand-up show Tilting at Windmills on Thursday 24, and Henry Paker rounds off the month with

Pencil Case, featuring live illustration, on Wednesday 30.

October opens with Rhys James’ Chop Logic on Friday 2, followed by an evening of improvised comedy hosted by two of the UK’s masters of improvisation, Paul Merton and Suki Webster, on Saturday 3. Later in the month, Maisie Adam returns with the brand-new show Whatsherface, while Sir Lenny Henry brings his new live show Still At Large

to the Playhouse on Saturday 10.

And the laughs don’t stop there, with plenty more familiar faces heading to the Playhouse in November, including Ivo Graham with Orange Crush on Wednesday 11, Nish Kumar: Angry Humour From a Really Nice Guy on Thursday 12, Flo & Joan’s With Feeling on Friday 13 and Saturday 14, and Mark Thomas celebrating 40 Years in Stand-Up on Friday 20. The fun continues into 2027 with Sue Perkins bringing The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins on Wednesday 3 March.

Whether you’re after razor-sharp stand-up, musical comedy or a great night out with friends, tickets are on sale now at everymanplayhouse.com

Africa Oyé opens its doors this weekend and festival organisers are delighted to announce the emerging Liverpool talent that will be showcased as part of the Oyé Introduces & Oyé Community programmes at this year’s festival.

Launched in 2015, ‘Oyé Introduces’ sees local artists open the musical programme on both days of the festival – following community performances by cultural organisations from across the city region – giving some of the area’s brightest young talent the chance to share the stage with international stars.

Oyé Introduces:

Liverpool Hip Hop Festival join the Africa Oyé lineup this year on Saturday 20th June, presenting a cypher of emerging young talent, including Janice Myers, Nate, Kayde and Jazz Gittens + friends – all of whom are excited to bring the Oyé spirit to life. Through their ‘Access All Areas’ project, Liverpool Hip Hop Festival are committed to nurturing young musicians and vocalists, providing hands-on music industry experience and helping develop their skills through professional studio sessions, songwriting camps, mentoring and live performance opportunities.

Liverpool’s rising Rap/Grime star KOJ presents TRiBE feat. KOJ + friends on Sunday 21st June. Further to his recent collaboration with Africa Oyé and LIMF Academy at Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room, Oyé are delighted to welcome KOJ back to debut the festival’s main stage, where he will present a unique fusion between the rawness of Grime culture and the eclecticism of UK Rap. Originally hailing from South Liverpool, KOJ’s versatile and authentic lyrics reflect on his upbringing, he is now developing a strong reputation as the future of UK Rap.

Oyé Community:

On Saturday 20th June, Batala Mersey will open the Africa Oyé main stage, with samba reggae drumming rooted in Afro-Brazilian traditions. The dynamic community drumming group promote cultural diversity in their performances, empowering individuals to express themselves through rhythm, movement and joy. Also, dance with Batala in front of the main stage at 3.10pm.

Positive Impact then take the opening slot on Sunday 21st June, presenting two Liverpool-born singer-songwriters, Tiara Leigh Ferns and Jemimah Akanu. They’ll be warming the crowd up for another full day of celebration with original music inspired by R&B, Neo-Soul and Jazz influences.

Africa Oyé are also delighted to welcome Dancing Queens for the very first time alongside returning favourites Katumba, for a special collaborative parade around the festival site on Sunday 21st June.

Dancing Queens are a Liverpool-based collective that empowers black women to move and express themselves through dance. Based in the African Caribbean Centre and known as the carnival queens of Toxteth, women are not only able to engage in dance but they’re also able to speak openly about their health, encourage each other to attend and support one another.

Katumba are an incredible drumming band that blend contemporary urban rhythms, UK club culture and electrifying carnival traditions of Northeast Brazil. Bringing together over 100 drummers and performers, Katumba will ignite Africa Oyé with thunderous drums, explosive choreography and irresistible carnival spirit.

Expect huge beats and infectious energy, as Caribbean carnival meets Brazilian carnival. Join the parade!

The Africa Oyé Festival takes place on 20th and 21st June in Liverpool’s Sefton Park. Tickets are available now for both days via TicketQuarter at africaoye.com.

Liverpool Theatre School’s graduating students will put on a dazzling celebration of legendary songwriting duo John Kander and Fred Ebb in a two-night run of And the World Goes Round at the Hope Street Theatre (22-23 June).

The musical revue, starring the school’s talented third year musical theatre students, showcases the work of the team behind smash-hit shows such as Chicago and Cabaret. In one of their last performances as a group before joining the industry as professional entertainers, the students are set to bring the audience to their feet with showstoppers such as All That Jazz and New York, New York.

Liverpool Theatre School Principal Maxine Ellis said: “This production is the culmination of three years of hard work and dedication for our final year musical theatre students. Audiences will have the chance to see them perform ballads, high energy numbers and vaudeville pieces as they showcase the breadth of their talent and versatility in And the World Goes Round.

“It’s a great opportunity for families, friends and frankly anyone who loves musical theatre to enjoy a spectacular show. It’s also a chance to see our talented graduating students on a local stage before they go off to work in the industry.”

Liverpool Theatre School boasts a long list of alumni who have gone on to enjoy successful careers on the stage including Erin Oliver from Southport, who graduated in 2023 and recently joined the West End cast of Oliver! and Bethany Rose Lythgoe from Crosby, who graduated in 2018 and is currently appearing in Starlight Express in the West End. Much-loved Liverpool performer Tim Lucas, who is taking his sell-out show We’re Havin’ a Party around the UK and has starred in productions such as Love’s Labour’s Lost, Blood Brothers and Cilla, also trained at the centre of excellence.

The performing arts school, whose patrons include musical theatre star Anita Dobson and dance legend Wayne Sleep OBE, aims to provide the next generation of professional performers with the skills required to work in the industry. The school offers full-time elite training in musical theatre and dance for students over 16, with fully-funded places and bursaries awarded every year to make professional qualifications more accessible for those from working class backgrounds. Training for younger students is also provided through its Junior Academy.

With a legacy spanning more than 85 years, Liverpool Theatre School continues to be a launchpad for the next generation of the city’s performing arts talent.

Tickets for Liverpool Theatre School’s production of And the World Goes Round are available at £15 from Ticketquarter. The show starts at 7pm on both 22 and 23 June.

To find out more about Liverpool Theatre School, visit liverpooltheatreschool.co.uk.

Join Good Finance Live to find out more about what social investment looks like in practice…

They know social investment can be full of jargon, fine print and questions you’re not sure how to ask.

Good Finance Live is heading back to Liverpool on July 1st and they’ve partnered with them, so they’re inviting you to come along and join them on the day. Several of the Kindred team will be there, alongside plenty of other social investors to chat to and lots of your peers, too.

The day at the Bluecoat in the city centre brings together social enterprise leaders, investment experts and people who’ve been on the journey, including the parts that didn’t go to plan for an honest, open conversation about what social investment really involves.

The day covers three sessions:

• What it takes to build the right partnerships: finding investors who genuinely understand your mission, getting your board alongside you, and making the most of the support that comes with the funding.
• Space for the setbacks, failures and lessons that only come from things going wrong.
• Social enterprise leaders sharing their own firsthand accounts: why they chose repayable finance, what the reality was, and what it unlocked for them.

And there’s also plenty of time built in for networking, conversation and lunch, too.

The day will cover a range of experiences and insights and plenty of good advice. They think there’ll be something there for you.

Register for free here: Free Tickets

Summer 2026 is set to be a roarsome one at World Museum, as dinosaurs prepare to take over on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout summer.

A packed programme of interactive fun, hands-on crafts and dino magic will see a whole host of activities for visitors to enjoy. Expect to meet life-like dinosaur puppets of all shapes and sizes every Wednesday and Thursday as these prehistoric creatures roam through the museum. Visitors can gaze in awe as they come face to face with giant puppets as well as sweet baby dinos, enjoy dinosaur story telling sessions and even meet and greets.

From crafty workshops, sensory play for under 5’s and a chance to meet our museum experts as they delve into how life was for a whole host of wild creatures, World Museum will also be holding special events, including a relaxed, after-hours session for children and their families with neurodiverse conditions or additional needs.

Experience World Museum’s newly reopened Wild World: Dinosaurs and Natural History gallery on the fourth floor and come face to face with full-size replica dinosaur skeletons like Allosaurus and Neovenator, as well as exploring Liverpool’s ancient mudflats and the animals that call our threatened frozen polar regions and dense forests home.

Some events will require pre-booking. You can explore the full programme and book here, or take a look at the full listings below:

Meet the Dinosaurs 

Wednesdays and Thursdays in July and August, from Wednesday 22 July 

Shows at 10am, 11:30am, 12:30pm, 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm / Free

Across World Museum, come face-to-face with giant dinosaurs like Zuki the Stegosaurus and Salsa the Megalosaurus, enjoy fun shows, and meet sweet baby dinos, perfect for photos! Suitable for all ages.

Little Dinosaurs 

Thursdays in July and August, from Thursday 23 July – 11am, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm / £2 per child 

Stomp along with your little explorers for sensory play, puzzles, crafting and a whole lot of dinosaur-themed fun.

Squish-a-Saurus Crafts 

Thursdays in July and August, from Thursday 23 July – 10:30am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 3:30pm / Free 

Join the creative museum team us for some roarsome crafts. Squash, chop and mould model magic into pre-historic creatures to take home.

Meet the Curator 

Wednesdays in July and August, from Wednesday 22 July, 2 and 2.30pm / Free 

Join World Museum’s experts in Clore Natural History Centre over the summer to learn about herbivorous dinosaurs, prehistoric insects, giant birds, folklore, and fossils. Book your tickets on the day at the ticket desk or from the website.

For the love of Dinosaurs with Splatter & Stick  

Wednesday 12 August, 10-11.30am / £2 per child  

Splatter and Stick offers an inclusive environment specifically tailored for SEND and neurodivergent children and their families with the aim to develop a child’s self confidence, natural exploration skills, hand eye co-ordination and manual dexterity through the exploration of arts and crafts with Sensory Play. The goal is to create a fun and creative environment that supports families with children who may need additional support. Tickets cost £2 per child and booking in advance via the website is essential. There are more details about Splatter and Stick on the website including support and wayfinding for your family.

After Hours: Relaxed Dino Dig  

Thursday 13 August, 5:15 – 7pm / £2 per child 

We know the World Museum is a great place to visit during those long summer holidays but for some families our busy galleries can be overwhelming – so we are opening our doors after hours. This event is especially for families with children aged 4+ who have members with an autism spectrum condition or other conditions which mean they prefer a more relaxed visit. For more information about support and wayfinding for this event please visit the website.

Junk-a-Saurus Crafts 

Wednesdays in July and August, from Wednesday 22 July – 10:30am – 12:30pm and 1:30 – 3:30pm / Free, drop-in

Join the team every Wednesday this summer holiday for our roarsome crafts. Our creative museum team will be on hand to help you cut, stick and tape recycled materials together to craft your own wearable dino costume to take home.

Alongside our exciting events, visitors can build their own T-Rex head or explore the history of fossils with gifts and souvenirs on sale in World Museum’s shop, which has an exclusive range of dino items for the whole family. Shop during your visit or online any time.

Dino Takeover runs from 22 July – 27 August 2026 at World Museum. Be sure to follow World Museum on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes dino fun throughout summer.

Co-produced with Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, this production is adapted by Emma Rice (North by Northwest, Liverpool Playhouse). It marks the return of Everyman’s panto star Zoe West as Bill Robinson and Stephanie Hockley as Irene & MD, and features live music at the Liverpool Playhouse from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 June.

Zoe West takes on the role of Bill Robinson; their Everyman credits include Romeo and Juliet alongside the Rock ‘n’ Roll pantos Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, and Cinderella. They are joined by Stephanie Hockley, who previously appeared in Everyman’s Sleeping Beauty, Robin Hood and the 2016 production of Beauty and the Beast.

Completing the cast are Eden Barrie (Grease, Nessie and Toast Fae the Lassies, Pitlochry Festival Theatre) as Mary Lou Atkinson, Molly Cheesley (NOW That’s What I Call A Musical and Jane Austen’s Emma, UK Tour) as Alicia Johns and Rebecca Collingwood (The Motive and the Cue, National Theatre; Much Ado About Nothing, RSC) as Gwendolyn Lacey. Emily Panes (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Ambassadors Theatre; Twelfth Night, Mill at Sonning and Cunard Cruises) joins the cast as Musician, alongside Robyn Sinclair (Four Felons and a Funeral, UK tour; The Grapes of Wrath, National Theatre) as Darrell Rivers and Bethany Wooding (The Crucible, Shakespeare’s Globe; Peerless, Rodney and The Shrieking Sisterhood, Sherman Theatre) plays Sally Hope.

This production is directed by Emma Rice, who was named in the Sky Arts Top 50 most influential British artists. She was with Kneehigh Theatre for 20 years as an actor, director, and later artistic director, working alongside co-artistic director Mike Shepherd. From 2016 to 2018, she served as Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe before founding her own touring theatre company, The Emma Rice Company (formally Wise Children).

For tickets, visit here

Project Teens is an event aimed specifically at neurodivergent teenagers that will be happening at Central Library on Friday 26^th and Saturday 27^th June in collaboration with the Brain Charity and Liverpool Family Hubs.

This event brings together all of the most accessible extra-curricular provision for neurodivergent teens in one place to offer 2 days of free workshops which young people can sign up to.

The event includes comic book making/illustration, performance, music, comedy, 3D printing and much more. In order to sign up to any of the free workshops, just visit the event webpage below and complete the form at the bottom, selecting between 1-4 workshops you would like to attend.

Places are limited, so signing up early is recommended.

Project Teens Webpage:

https://www.thebraincharity.org.uk/project-teens/