Community Post Type: News

A rising star from Liverpool is celebrating success after landing a role in the cast of Mamma Mia! in London’s West End. Adam Scotland (23) from Norris Green, who trained at Liverpool Theatre School, will take up an ensemble role, covering for lead character Sky (Sophie’s fiancé), when he joins the West End production at the Novello Theatre.

Adam, who graduated from Liverpool Theatre School in 2022 with a Level 6 diploma in musical theatre, is also second cover for the character of Eddie in the show. The talented performer made his West End debut in To Kill a Mockingbird at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre over 10 years ago. His theatre credits also include Magical Merlin at the Fortune Theatre in Covent Garden, Dick Whittington at Yeovil’s Octagon Theatre, The Nutcracker at The New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme and Matilda the Musical with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Speaking on treading the boards in one of the longest running musicals in West End history, Adam said: “Mamma Mia! is such an uplifting show, which has captivated audiences for over 25 years and it’s incredible to be part of the West End production. Performing on the West End stage in one of the most popular musicals of all time is like a dream come true.

“I feel very lucky to have this opportunity and it’s been fantastic to get so many messages of support, particularly from my former tutors at Liverpool Theatre School who always encouraged me to achieve my ambitions.”

Liverpool Theatre School Principal, Maxine Ellis, congratulated Adam on joining the West End cast of Mamma Mia! She said, “Adam has always shown exceptional talent and determination as a performer. We’re so proud to see him take on such an exciting role. Liverpool Theatre School is like one big family and there’s nothing more rewarding than watching our students and graduates become West End stars. Huge congratulations Adam!”

Adam completed an elite musical theatre training programme at Liverpool Theatre School, where many stage stars have learned their craft. Alumni can be seen in smash-hit musicals such as SIX, Frozen, Blood Brothers, The Book of Mormon and Wicked.

Liverpool Theatre School, whose patrons include dance legend Wayne Sleep OBE, as well as stage and screen star Anita Dobson, provides professional training in dance, musical theatre and acting with a range of BTEC courses and diplomas accredited by Trinity College London. All students must pass an audition to secure a place at the prestigious stage school, which marks its 85^th anniversary this year.

Talented young performers are currently being invited to audition for Liverpool Theatre School, which has a number of fully-funded places and bursaries available for September 2025. To find out more, or to apply for an audition, please visit here.

The City of Liverpool has become the world’s first ‘Accelerator City’ for climate action, under UN Climate Change’s Entertainment and Culture for Climate Action (ECCA) programme.        

The title comes in recognition of Liverpool’s impressive commitment to innovation and smart regulation to rapidly decarbonise the live music and TV/Film production sectors – both vital parts of the city’s economy – following several years of developmental work by ACT 1.5, an artist-led research and action effort, and climate scientists from the  Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research.

To mark the launch of this initiative, the following key events and plans were also announced:

A three-night live music series at Liverpool Arena from 28 – 30 November in collaboration with Massive Attack, ACT 1.5 and SJM concerts, to showcase innovations in sustainability and the smart design of live music events.

A headline industry event, called Expedition 1, on (29 November) and public event (30 November) in the adjacent ACC Liverpool which will test and showcase eight cross-sectoral pilot projects for rapid decarbonisation across live music, TV and film productions scheduled in 2025, and then invite the public into multiple climate action workshops, live audience podcasts, and performances.

The implementation of three initial plans for galvanising decarbonization in the cultural sector: a pioneering integrated public transport and ticketing program (TAG Network); electrification with 100% renewable energy of all key live event and filming locations in the city centre; and a new Paris 1.5-degree compatible sustainability standard that major events will need to meet in order to be granted a land use agreement for an event to proceed.

This work builds upon the ground-breaking project commissioned by the band Massive Attack and developed over the past four years, culminating in a climate action accelerator event entitled ACT 1.5 in Bristol (UK) in late August. The band worked in collaboration with the Tyndall Centre, AGF, and super low-carbon providers to produce what is anticipated to have been the lowest greenhouse gas emissions show of its size ever staged.

As an ’Accelerator City’, Liverpool will expand on this use of policy, technology, infrastructure, and transport practices to pilot and then embed decarbonisation methods into the fabric of the city, extending the scope of this work to include national film and television institutions; establishing cross-sectoral solutions with clean, green providers and sustainability-focused event & onscreen producers.

Find out more here

ACC Culture Network LCR Member

With only five weeks to publication of Chris Shepherd’s debut graphic novel, Anfield Road there’s a lot going on.

First up, why not pre-order Chris 80’s coming of age story?  This 272 page graphic novel took Chris four years to draw and is a beautiful thing. Buy it on his Etsy shop and get a limited edition print. Check out the options here.

Chris has lots of events planned for the release of Anfield Road in Liverpool, London, Brighton, Harrogate and Manchester. November will be a whirlwind of activity.

Here are the first dates to get in your diary…

29th October – PUBLICATION DAY – Anfield Road is available in shops and online for the first time.

2nd November – LIVERPOOL – signing at Forbidden Planet, Bold Street. 12:30-2pm.

7th November – LIVERPOOL – signing and talk at Waterstones Liverpool. Chris will be in conversation with Liverpool legend Bernie Conor. Click here for tickets.

Check out the latest on the website. 

Leading British epidemiologist, doctor and author Tim Spector will talk about his brilliant new cookbook during a special event in Liverpool next week.

The number one Sunday Times bestselling author of Food for Life will appear at St George’s Hall on Wednesday, 2 October with his much-anticipated new release The Food for Life Cookbook – described as ‘the only gut-health cookbook you’ll need’.

Spector will be ‘in conversation’ with chef, food writer and campaigner Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall at the event which takes place in the Grade I listed landmark’s dazzling Concert Room where literary legends like Charles Dickens have previously commanded the stage.

The unmissable evening is being organised by independent retailers Linghams Booksellers and Booka Bookshop.

Tim Spector MD is Professor of Genetic Epidemiology at King’s College London and bestselling author of The Diet Myth, Spoon-Fed and Food for Life along with being the scientific co-founder of ZOE, the nutrition science company.

With a focus on cutting-edge science and honoured in 2020 with an OBE for his impactful work on fighting Covid-19 through the Covid Symptom Study app, Spector stands at the forefront of his field. The original pioneer of microbiome research (the large community of microbes which live in our gut, skin and body), his is among the top 100 most cited scientists in the world.

The Food for Life Cookbook takes the ground-breaking guidance of his bestseller Food for Life and, in more than 100 delicious and achievable recipes created in collaboration with ZOE, shows just how simple and enjoyable it can be to adopt a gut-friendly way of eating.

Shaped by his own experience of transforming the way he eats, as well as common requests from readers and ZOE members, chapters include 15-minute meals, ideas for eating well when the fridge looks bare, and generous feasts and sweet treats for special moments with friends.

Meanwhile Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a multi-award-winning writer and broadcaster known for his uncompromising commitment to seasonal, ethically produced food and his concern for the environment.

He earned a huge following through his River Cottage TV series and books as well as campaigns such as Hugh’s Fish Fight, Hugh’s War on Waste, Britain’s Fat Fight and War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita.

He has described Spector’s principals for eating well as “totally transformative”.

The 2 October event is presented by Linghams Booksellers in Heswall, Wirral, and Booka Bookshop which has branches in Oswestry and Bridgnorth.

Tickets cost £35 including a copy of The Food for Life Cookbook or £45 per couple including one book, and can be booked via https://linghams.co.uk/event/tim-spector-at-st-georges-hall-2nd-october-7pm/

ArtsGroupie are delighted to announce three exciting projects in their Autumn/Winter programme:

• • A New piece of theatre, The Hammer & Helena.
  • A FREE exhibition, Revealing Trails, with Liverpool Irish Festival.
  • A FREE Heritage Walk tour 20^th Oct at 11am, Pier Head to the Collingwood Dock, part of The Docklands Trail, https://docklandstrail.co.uk/

A New piece of theatre, The Hammer & Helena

A true story of the most evil book ever written and its horrifying legacy.

Innsbruck, 1485.

Helena Scheuberin finds herself the unwitting muse of a religious zealot – the self-proclaimed Hammer of Witches. Her witch trial would raise the ire of the Hammer, its outcome dooming women for centuries after. Now, Helena confronts her accuser one final time with her soul on the line.

Written and directed by David Griffiths, creator of ArtsGroupie CIC’s chilling adaption of The Signalman and starring Samantha Alton (‘Kitty Queen of the Washhouse’) as Helena Artsgroupie – New Theatre, The Hammer and Helena, – A FREE exhibition, Revealing Trails, with Liverpool Irish Festival and – A FREE Heritage Walking Tour, Sun 20th Oct at 11am, Pier Head to the Collingwood Dock, part of The Docklands Trail. Scheuberin and John Maguire (‘A Portrait of William Roscoe’) as Heinrich Kramer.

At The Unity, Liverpool – Saturday 16^th November.

Tickets & further information Here

FREE EXHIBITION – Revealing Trails with Liverpool Irish Festival at The Docklands Trail

This exhibition documents Liverpool’s role in the foundation of the Global Irish Famine Way and reveals how Liverpool came to be involved.

The first section briefly tells the story of The Walk of the Bronze Shoes, whilst the second considers the resilience of Liverpool’s people through the research and expressions of contemporary participants. Featuring collaborative community artworks — led by local artists

• Lydia O’Hara
• Tadhg Devlin
• Pam Sullivan, and
• Nicola McGovern.

The works respond to the Liverpool Irish Famine Trail’s plaque sites, telling rich stories with how people connect with the history, their heritage and how what happened then maintains a connection with what is happening in our world today.

Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this exhibition includes art works, artefacts and memories. Everything you see was created in 2024, though items may have roots and references going back through the generations.

Opening times will be:

• 10am-1pm, Wed 9 Oct, Sun 13 Oct, Wed 16 Oct and Sun 27 Oct
• 10am-5pm, Sun 20 Oct and Sat 26 Oct.

Free, just turn up (donations welcome).

https://www.liverpoolirishfestival.com/events/revealing-trails/

FREE HERITAGE WALKING TOUR

Artsgroupie and The Docklands Trail

Sunday 20^th October at 11am – meet at the Pier Head, outside the Liver Building and we will walk to Collingwood Dock to see the Revelaing Trails exhibition and take in the historical sites along the way.

The walk will be around 1 hour and will finish at The Docklands Trail Collingwood Dock, opposite the Titanic Hotel and next door to Everton’s new football ground.

E-Mail – artgroupie@outlook.com to reserve a place.

The cast is confirmed for Girls Don’t Play Guitars, opening at Liverpool’s Royal Court.

Written by Ian Salmon (The Comeback Special) and Directed by Bob Eaton (Lennon), Girls Don’t Play Guitars is back at Liverpool’s Royal Court from 27 September. The five star musical tells the story of The Liverbirds, the world’s first all-girl rock ‘n’roll group. The tale is now a book, but discover for yourself the show that brought it all to life.

Book your tickets here

Playing The Liverbirds are Molly Grace Cutler (Val) Alice McKenna (Mary), Lisa Wright (Pam), Sarah Workman (Sylvia)

Playing multiple roles in the cast are Jonathan Markwood, Guy Freeman, Max Guest, Charlie Guest, Mark Newnham and Tom Connor.

In Liverpool in 1963 the music world was exploding. Musical talent, attitude and the knowledge that you could be anything you wanted to be saw the city flooded with bands and singers who were headed to the top.

Standing tall amongst all of the boys was the World’s first all-girl rock ’n’ roll group. From The Cavern to Hamburg’s Star Club Mary, Sylvia, Val and Pam did it on their terms, turning down Brian Epstein, hanging out with Jimi Hendrix and driving Chuck Berry wild.

This foot-stomping musical first hit the stage in 2019 and is back and packed with all of the great 60s songs that shook The Cavern, including the Liverbirds smash hits Peanut Butter and Diddley Daddy. The book of The Liverbirds is hitting the shelves, so make sure you get to listen to the music live in 2024!

Writer Ian Salmon says this is one of those Liverpool stories that had to be told,

“As a Liverpool writer there aren’t many stories from the Merseybeat era that remain untold; it turned out that one of the few was one of the greatest. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to tell this with the help of two of the girls themselves. These are the stories that need to be known, need to be recorded, need to be passed down to the generations that follow so that they’re remembered forever, and the theatre is a fantastic place to do that.

There’s a line that I wrote toward the end of the show; “On nights like this, in rooms like these, you make dreams come true”. That was about giving the Liverbirds the homecoming gig that they never had, but it’s really about what we do as writers; we create something from nothing, we give stories life.”

Girls Don’t Play Guitars, as told to the writer by Mary Dostal and Sylvia Wiggins, from an original idea by Paul Fitzgerald.

Directed by Bob Eaton
Musical Direction by Howard Gray
Set Design by Mark Walters

 Movement Director by Beverley Norris Edmunds
Lighting Design by Ian Scott
Sound Design by Kate Harvey
AV Design by Jamie Jenkin

This October, National Museums Liverpool is marking Black History Month with exhibitions, displays and events that explore Black heritage, culture and identity.

Hear from the voices and perspectives too often silenced as the organisation embraces this year’s theme, ‘Reclaiming Narratives’.

The Walker Art Gallery is host to powerful and thought-provoking exhibitions and displays of contemporary art:

• Conversations (19 October – 9 March 2025). Opening during Black History Month this exhibition brings together work by nearly 50 leading Black women and non-binary artists. Featuring paintings, sculpture and video from the last ten years, the exhibition provides a snapshot of the work, ideas and self-expression within Black British art right now. The exhibition is part of a wider research and collecting project through which the Walker aims to acquire new artwork by Black British women and non-binary artists, who are currently underrepresented within its collection.
• Stitching Souls: Threads of Silence (28 Sep 2024—2 Mar 2025). British-Trinidadian artist Karen McLean has been working closely with the Walker since 2023, drawing inspiration directly from the gallery’s internationally renowned collections. This emotive installation, commissioned for the Walker, serves as a memorial to the victims of the tragic Zong Massacre of 1781, while exploring Liverpool’s colonial legacies, and its role as a major UK port during the transatlantic slave trade.
• Now you see me: Chris Day (6 Aug 2024—24 Nov 2024) is a new commission for the Walker, which was made in response to the gallery’s painting, ‘The Card Party’ by Gawen Hamilton (1698-1737), considering the almost hidden figure of an enslaved Black boy. Chris employs materials he uses in his career as a plumber, such as copper piping and wire within his unique glass pieces.
• Carving Out Truths is a community-led research and display project confronting the collections links to slavery, colonialism, and empire.  Showcasing several permanent ground-breaking interventions in the Walker’s Sculpture Gallery, this work examines the origins of the collection, focusing on individuals and stories that have previously been excluded.

Sandra Penketh, Executive Director of Collections and Research said: “This Black History Month we are delighted to bring a wealth of exceptional artists to the Walker Art Gallery. The diverse collection of works on display are a testament to the wonderful art being created by Black British artists and remind us of the power of art to inspire dialogue, questions, reflection and transformation.

“Across National Museums Liverpool ongoing capital projects, research and new displays, involving individuals, communities and other key partners all contribute to making diverse histories more visible.”

This October discover more about National Museums Liverpool’s Waterfront Transformation Project, an initiative to revitalise the area between the Royal Albert Dock and Mann Island.

Central to the project is the major redevelopment of the International Slavery Museum. ‘Where do we go from here?’ is a display that charts the museum’s progress from 1994 to the present day. Exploring the last 30 years of exhibitions at the venue, it offers visitors the opportunity to share their own memories and hopes for the museum’s next chapter. Also at the International Slavery Museum, a series of new interventions of contemporary art among a display of historic objects reframe how certain objects in the collection are perceived and understood.

Sign up for a regular newsletter sharing the latest news from the Waterfront Transformation Project and its plans to promote greater inclusion and diversity in heritage.

Emergence as Empowerment on 25 October is an event co-hosted by National Museums Liverpool and the University of Liverpool.

Join Elliss Eyo-Thompson, Project Facilitator, International Slavery Museum, and storyteller, Kelechi Okafor, at the Tung Auditorium for a screening of ‘Delado: Rising from the Ashes’, a documentary which delves into the tensions of Liverpool 8 following the 1981 Toxteth Uprisings. The event includes a live conversation and Q&A session.

At Museum of Liverpool the focus is Black Scousers and the many achievements and contributions they have brought to the vibrant city of Liverpool. From the recent exciting scenes in Paris when heptathlete, Katarina Johnson-Thompson won an Olympic silver medal, to the influence of bands like The Real Thing, a free tour of the museum’s collections will draw out stories of inspiration and celebration. Inspirational Black Scousers tours are available on 1, 2, 8, 10, 16, 17 and 23 October.

Chris Kerfoot, Participation Programme Manager, said: “The Museum of Liverpool is bursting with stories of individuals who have achieved great things and made our city proud. We celebrate the contribution of Black Scousers all year round, but it is a joy to throw a special spotlight on their stories during Black History Month in our free gallery tours.”

World Museum has one of the best collections of Nigerian art and architecture in the UK. Rethinking Relationships Discovery Day on Saturday 19th October is an opportunity to take a closer look and even handle objects, usually in storage, and learn more about a new project which will provide opportunities for research and engagement with the collection.

Opportunities for Black History Month celebration and learning extend online, with National Museums Liverpool’s collections, articles, videos and podcasts available all year via its digital hub: www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/black-history

Conversations is supported by Art Fund and the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art.

Stitching Souls: Threads of Silence is part of the 20/20 project https://www.arts.ac.uk/ual-decolonising-arts-institute/projects/2020. The project was led by University of the Arts London (UAL) Decolonising Arts Institute and supported by funding from Arts Council England, the Freelands Foundation and UAL.

Now You See Me: Chris Day is presented by the Contemporary Art Society via the Griffin Award.

Carving Out Truths has been supported by Art Fund through a Headley Fellowship and Art Friends Merseyside.

Wired Aerial Theatre have launched new Bungee Workout™ classes at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) on Tuesday evenings 17:30-18:30 & 18:30-19:30.

📅 Alongside these new sessions, their regular Bungee Workout™ classes at Everton Park Sports Centre (Lifestyles) are carrying on too.

🖱️ To find information on how to book on to classes just click this link and scroll down: https://bungeeworkout.co.uk/bungee-workout-classes-in-liverpool/

💪 Whether you’re looking to refocus, recharge, or just reconnect with your fitness goals, they’re there for you. Let’s make the most of this season together, one workout at a time!

https://bungeeworkout.co.uk
https://www.wiredaerialtheatre.com

Publishers Flame Tree are honouring the Liverpool writer, Ramsey Campbell and his 60th anniversary in the literary world.

Ramsey Campbell is an English horror fiction writer, editor and critic. He is the author of over 30 novels and hundreds of short stories, many of them winners of literary awards. Three of his novels have been adapted into films.

With the upcoming publications of The Incubations, Ramsey Campbell’s new novel, and limited “Ramsey Campbell Editions” of short story collections from M.R. James (The Damnations) and Lovecraft (The Invocations), they are offering special anniversary ‘swag’ to their customers.

The Incubations

Leo Parker’s stay in Alphafen seems idyllic, but after he leaves, the nightmares begin: an airport turns into a labyrinth, his own words become treacherous if not lethal, and what are those creatures in the photographs he
took? Perhaps he’s roused an ancient Alpine legend.

Even once he understands what he brought back, worse is to come…

Visit here for details.