Community Post Type: News

Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre reopens its doors next month – and the much-loved venue is promising audiences a season full of sparkling entertainment to mark its return.

The historic Hanover Street venue has been relaunched under new management, Epstein Entertainments Ltd, and is getting in the Christmas spirit with a series of shows which are guaranteed to be the perfect night out for those who want to kickstart the festive season in style.

The festivities begin on Friday, 3 December when The Martini Lounge brings its Christmas Cabaret to the stage. Liverpool’s largest and longest running cabaret and burlesque show celebrates its 15^th birthday in 2022, and ahead of that its mistress of ceremonies Millie Dollar is promising the very best in burlesque and variety from across the world in this sizzling slice of seasonal entertainment.

The Martini Lounge also returns on Saturday, 4 December for a very special workshop in the Epstein bar with Millie Dollar herself.

The fantastic David Knopov also appears at the Epstein Theatre on Saturday, 4 December with his Perfectly Frank – Swinging Sinatra Christmas Show. David is one of the world’s most authentic and sought-after performers of Frank Sinatra’s timeless classics, and his audiences over his 30-year career have included Her Majesty the Queen and the King of Greece.

Now for one night only, Perfectly Frank and his swing quartet come to the Epstein for a Christmas celebration the Ol’ Blue Eyes way. Special guest on the evening will be the amazing Connie Lush.

The late, great Gerry Marsden is recalled on Sunday, 5 December in I Like It: The Ultimate Tribute to Gerry Marsden & The Swingin’ 60s.

Gary Murphy and his multi-talented band are promising an evening packed with Pacemaker hits including Ferry Cross the Mersey, Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying, I Like It and the anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone, along with Sixties classics from fellow Merseybeat bands and some of the biggest stars of the decade.

On Wednesday, 8 December, there’s the chance to enjoy The Best of Queen at the venue. The UK’s biggest Queen tribute band Majesty will take music fans on a magical journey through the band’s iconic catalogue, celebrating the music and showmanship of Freddie, Brian, Roger and John.

Meanwhile Swedish superstars Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Anni Frid are celebrated in ABBA Forever on Thursday, 9 December. Attention to detail, dynamic choreography, great visuals and brilliant musicianship and vocal combine in one unmissable evening.

And on Friday, 10 December some of the current comedy circuit’s funniest names come together for the Laughterhouse Comedy Christmas Show. Tom Stade, Mick Miller and Justin Moorhouse are lined up to appear on the Epstein stage and Laughterhouse’s Chris Cairns will be your Christmas comedy compère.

If all that isn’t enough to get you in the seasonal spirit, there is also the return of the popular Epstein panto.

Beauty and the Beast stars Emmerdale, Hollyoaks, Footballers’ Wives and West End star Ben Richards as the dastardly Gaston, appearing alongside a brilliant cast of panto performers including Lauren McCrory as Belle, Lewis Devine as French Frank and Jamie Greer as Potty Polly. It runs from 16 December to 9 January 2022.

The Epstein is a 108-year-old, 380-seat proscenium arch theatre. It was originally opened as Crane’s Music Hall in 1913 and was a popular location for recitals and performances. It was renamed Crane Theatre in 1938.

In 1967 the theatre was purchased by Liverpool Corporation, which decided that it should be run by local people for local people and was named the Neptune Theatre. The Neptune also became a comedy club and, after many years of uncertainty about the future of the theatre, it eventually closed in 2005.

In July 2011, a £1million refurbishment of the theatre was completed which saw the Hanover Street venue brought up to 21st Century standards and renamed The Epstein Theatre in honour of former Beatles manager Brian Epstein.

The venue is now under the management of Epstein Entertainments Ltd – a partnership between PR expert and theatre producer Bill Elms, and Chantelle Nolan and Jane Joseph of Regal Entertainments Ltd.

Bill Elms, Artistic and Communications Director at Epstein Entertainments Ltd, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be reopening the Epstein Theatre ahead of Christmas and with a really brilliant season of shows to take us towards the big day itself.

“Whether you’re a fan of fantastic live music, comedy, or cabaret and burlesque, there’s something on the programme you won’t want to miss. It’s an ideal opportunity to dress up, and join friends or family for a night out at a great live show.

“And not forgetting we also have our very special panto Beauty and the Beast. It’s been another difficult year with the ongoing pandemic, so families deserve to enjoy some festive fairytale magic – and that’s certainly what we’re promising here at the Epstein.”

Follow the Epstein Theatre:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre

This Christmas, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool will be illuminated with the return of the much loved Light Trail around its historic colonnades from Friday 12th November and shining a spotlight on Liverpool’s Brightest independents with their festive menus, unique gifts and the dock’s world-class attractions.

 Visitors can download the Light Trail map from the albertdock.com/christmas along with a specially curated Royal Albert Dock Christmas Spotify playlist, and embark on a magical waterfront walk with a hot chocolate or mulled wine, to seek out nautical characters from Liverpool’s coat of arms, designed by MK Illumination. 

Taking place across the whole estate, the Light Trail starts at the dock’s entrance gates with Neptune and Triton standing tall and leading the way underneath the curtain of blue lights along Salthouse Quay. Next, wander past the festively-lit trees which lead up to Hartley Quay passing the International Slavery and Merseyside Maritime Museum, with a perfect photo spot on Hartley Bridge with the dock’s illuminated backdrop, or a stone’s throw away with the colourful Liverpool Mountain. 

From here, stroll past Tate Liverpool along the inner quay which has each of its 86 red columns wrapped in over 1 million twinkling lights, lighting up the walkway of gift shops and cafes, leading on to Britannia Pavilion which is home to some of Liverpool’s best independent restaurants. 

To complete the Light Talk, take the exit to The Beatles Story to be greeted with Bella, one half of the Liverbird duo who casts her watchful eye over the port to ensure the boats arrive safely, whilst her other half, Bertie, stands proudly outside Anchor Courtyard to keep watch on the city and the people of Liverpool. 

A Christmas trip to the dock wouldn’t be complete without sampling the festive food and drink on offer, from turkey tacos at Madre to brie & cranberry toasties at One O’Clock Gun, and even a whole roasted sharing duck at Lerpwl for the ultimate festive indulgence. Christmas cocktails are aplenty too, including a gingerbread Espresso Martini at Gusto, a nostalgic ‘Love ‘Daiq’tually’ from Revolucion de Cuba, or a Toblerone inspired cocktail at Maray. 

The dock’s variety of independent retailers make it the perfect spot for Christmas shopping, from creative finds at The Nest to limited edition hoodies at Lost Soles or luxury activewear from the dock’s newest retailer, Red Run Activewear, which is set to open this November.

For an iconic Liverpool souvenir pick up a colourful Lambanana from With Love from Liverpool or scenic panoramic print from Liverpool Pictures, whilst Harbour Accessories is bursting with secret Santa goodies and Nature’s Treasure is a must for a sparkly Christmas crystal. 

Visitors looking for a Christmas culture fix can pay a visit to the Merseyside Maritime Museum to see the fascinating Seized exhibition which delves into the hidden world of fake goods, or head to Tate Liverpool to see Lucy McKenzie’s exhibition of large-scale architectural paintings, illusionistic works as well as fashion and design.

Whether it’s to embark on the Light Trail, feast with friends, or stay, shop and explore, it’s all there at Liverpool’s Brightest destination. 

 

Enjoy festive shopping from local, independent traders this December when the Open Culture Winter Arts Markets returns to the Grade I listed Liverpool Cathedral.

–       Winter Arts Market returns to Liverpool Cathedral on 3 & 4 December 2021.

–       Over 120 stalls (60+ per day) from independent artists, designers and makers, with new stallholders each day.

–       Shop for unique gifts, original artworks, stylish homewares and more at the most popular craft fair in the region.

–       Buy Local. Buy Handmade. Buy Beautiful!

With over 60 stalls each day from independent artists, designers, crafters and makers, the Winter Arts Markets will return on Friday the 3 and Saturday the 4 December, where you’ll find new stallholders each day between 10am – 5pm.

The Winter Arts Markets arrive with plenty of time for shoppers to stock up on unique and affordable Christmas gifts, keeping money in the local creative economy, rather than braving the high streets mass produced offerings.

Customers will be spoilt for choice as they can browse thousands of products from local, independent traders, including original screen prints, paintings, intricate jewellery, tableware, handmade beauty products, woodwork, colourful decorations, accessories, textiles, photography, knitwear, hand poured candles and much more. There are gifts for all tastes and budgets.

At a time when shoppers are looking for a more authentic lifestyle, the Winter Arts Markets offer the chance to get into the festive spirit and buy directly from local artists – all within the setting of the iconic Grade I listed Liverpool Cathedral. As the largest cathedral in the UK and fifth largest in the world, it will turn into a thriving hive of festive shopping activity with thousands of unique creations on offer.

Don’t miss the opportunity to shop on both days where there will be completely new stallholders. On Friday 3 December there’s the likes of Old Man & Magpie’s craft small-batch, vegan-friendly candles, Oxalise’s ceramic planters and plants and Skyn Bakery’s luxury handmade artisan soaps & skincare products.

If you’re looking for travel-inspired colourful illustrations, greeting cards and gifts you’ll find plenty from Moo and Snip, while bakes&dates’ Belgium chocolate covered stuffed Medjool dates are a must-try for foodies.

On Saturday 4 December you can shop from Rawhide’s range of premium British, veg-tanned leather goods, Laura-Kate Draws’ stunning illustrations and giftware and Strawberri and the Lion’s colourful polymer clay jewellery collection. Plus, the Handyman Brewery’s locally produced beers and gins make for excellent gifts, while Jostle Bakers vegan cookies, cakes and brownies aren’t too be missed.

Want to see more of the exhibitors? Head to the Winter Arts Market Online Directory.

The event will be socially distanced. Visitors can pre-book tickets to avoid disappointment and pick their preferred time to shop. There will also be a limited number of walk-up tickets available for each timeslot during the day. The last visitor entrance at each event is 4:30pm.

The venue, Liverpool Cathedral has ‘We’re Good to Go’ accreditation, assuring visitors that our event will run in accordance with the Government’s COVID-19 guidance and the latest advice from Public Health England.

“Since our first Winter Arts Market all the way back in 2009, we’ve always been committed to supporting the local creative economy and the Winter Arts Market is now one of the most popular in the region. To ensure everyone’s safety we’re still not back up to our full capacity of stalls, but we’re still likely to be the biggest with over 120 different local and regional artists, designers and makers over the two days.

People wanting to buy unique gifts just in time for Christmas, plus know where that product was made, its back story, and its environmental credentials, this shopping experience is perfect for that. We look forward to welcoming friends old and new at the events. It’s certainly when my Christmas begins!” – Charlotte Corrie, Director, Open Culture

There is just one day left to submit your nominations for the 2023 Liverpool City Region Culture & Creativity Awards.

Help them celebrate the amazing culture and creativity we have in the city region by nominating an organisation or individual by Friday 4 November 2022.

Nominations can be for an individual, organisation, group or partnership that is involved in the creation, promotion and use of culture and creativity including the following art forms:

• Performing Arts (eg: Theatre, Dance, Music, Opera);
• Visual Arts
• Digital Art,
• Photography,
• Film and broadcast media,
• Literature,
• Museums, Galleries and Heritage, or
• Craft.

Nominees must live, study and/or work in the Liverpool City Region – Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral – or have created work / projects that significantly benefit the residents or visitors to the LCR and / or has positively contributed to the economy, culture, learning, health and social wellbeing of the LCR.

Nominations can be completed online.

To nominate see here

The Museum of Liverpool’s much-loved Wondrous Place gallery reopens to the public on 26 November 2021.

Originally installed ten years ago when the museum opened in 2011, Wondrous Place continues to celebrate Liverpool’s internationally recognised creative expression and influence with exciting new displays and interactives, alongside visitors’ favourites from the original space.

The opening weekend (27 and 28 November) will be an action-packed couple of days with free performances and family activities to mark the return of this popular gallery.

The city’s staggering roll call of entertainers, writers, poets, performers, musicians, visual artists, comedians and sports people are represented through around 650 objects, interactives and immersive experiences.

Highlights include:

Stage & Screen, a new display, themed around Merseyside actors, writers, productions and identity.  Items on display include one of Villanelle’s costumes worn by Liverpool actress, Jodie Comer, in the award-winning TV series, Killing Eve. The display also highlights the important role of TV dramas in exposing significant issues and events such as the 2020 production of Anthony and the 2017 drama series, Little Boy Blue.

An exciting new element is an insight into the region’s gaming industry, particularly the important role of the Liverpool studio, Psygnosis, and a chance to play games developed in the city, such as Lemmings and Wipeout Omega Collection.

The region’s incredible sporting legacy section is brought up to date with new key items including running shoes worn by 2019 World Champion Heptathlete, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, on loan from the Liverpool Harriers, Rachael Blackmore’s (the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021) racing silks, and Natasha Jonas’s Miss GB boxing shorts. Natasha was the first woman to box for Team GB.

New objects have been added to the story of Liverpool music including Spice Girl, Mel C’s stage costume worn on the Spice World – 2019 Tour and Garry Christian’s iconic hat and sunglasses.

The story of Liverpool music is brought up to date with a fresh look at contemporary sites and scenes, including a particular focus on dance music and festivals and displays co-produced with Sonic Yootha and URBEATZ.

The significant contribution of Liverpool Black people to the city’s music scene is celebrated through a new display called Black to the Future, co-produced with the Heritage Development Company Liverpool.

Visitors will be pleased to see the return of the immersive video displays: In the town where I was born, which explores the influence of Liverpool on The Beatles and Kicking and Screaming – the Football Show, which sweeps viewers on an up-to-date emotional journey of ‘the match’ as seen through the eyes of Red and Blue fans.

From iconic Beatles suits and Merseybeat memorabilia, to a dreamy Lita Roza dress, incredible handbills from Eric’s nightclub and a display on Liverpool’s folk music scene, the gallery explores Liverpool’s enviable reputation for musical creativity.

Kate Johnson, Head of the Museum of Liverpool said: “We’re incredibly excited to be reinstating the popular Wondrous Place gallery, with so many fabulous updates. Visitors can look forward to a vibrant, fascinating gallery, that take them to the heart of what makes Liverpool such a creative place.

“Wondrous Place will of course be celebrating the world-famous names, from The Beatles to Liverpool and Everton FC, but it will also explore lesser-known cultural creators; the writers, producers and performers of Merseyside that have helped craft the city’s sense of place in the world, how it and its people are seen.

“We are grateful to all those people, communities and organisations who have worked with us to reinstate this much-loved gallery with new and inspiring content.”

Wondrous Place was closed in 2018 to make way for the blockbuster exhibition, Double Fantasy John & Yoko (13 May 2018 to 03 November 2019), seen by almost 700,000 people, followed by Liverpool on Wheels (14 February 2020 to 3 January 2021).

www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wondrousplace

 

Wrap up Christmas in style and create a social echo at the same time by snapping up some exclusive wrapping paper, designed by a collection of renowned artists, including Pure Evil, Charming Baker and Jake and Dinos Chapman from The Big Issue online shop.

In celebration of The Big Issue’s 30^th birthday, The Big Issue Shop has launched this unique collection of wrapping papers in collaboration with Jealous and Enter Galleries.

Leading the way is Charming Baker’s arresting “Christmasaurus Rex” design. He was the Guest Editor for The Big Issue’s Art Special and continues to be committed to creating work to raise money for many important causes.

Next up is one of the world’s most renowned graffiti artists, Pure Evil with his highly collectable “Ideas Wheel for Lazy Designers” design. It is the 6^th time that he has designed wrapping paper for The Big Issue Shop.

Their third visual artist is Dave Buonaguidi. His arresting and colourful “Ta!” design will look as good under the tree as it will framed as a showpiece in your home.

Delphine Lebourgeois’s work is shown internationally including in Europe, New York, Hong Kong and Singapore. Her unique design “Snow Amazonian” will make your gifts truly stand out this Christmas.

Florence Blanchard, painter, muralist and screenprinter’s scientific take on the classic image of the snowflake “Nebula” is not one to be missed.

Frea Buckler, is a multidisciplinary artist and her “Brightly” design will ensure your gifts are the most stylishly wrapped this festive season.

Magnus Gjoen’s dazzling design entitled “Eye Spy” will grab the attention of your presents lucky recipients.

Last but not least are notorious artistic duo, Jake and Dinos Chapman with their bold and bright design “D’You Wanna Be In My Gang?”. To purchase a piece of collectors’ art or to simply make your presents pop, buy a sheet or five.

There are 300 signed limited-edition single image sheets of each artist’s design, priced at £49.99 each. You can also buy a pack of five sheets of regular wrapping paper for £7.99.

Every purchase through The Big Issue Shop puts people and planet first. The wrap is printed on recycled paper and packed in recyclable plastic.

Socially- conscious shoppers can browse and buy the designs now at www.bigissueshop.com.

Milap – the UK’s leading Indian Arts and Culture company – is preparing to present ‘The Diwali Series’ a new week-long programme of music and dance performances, which can be enjoyed from the comfort of your own home. 

Diwali is the Indian festival of lights, usually lasting five days and celebrated during the Hindu Lunisolar month Kartika. One of the most popular festivals of India, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.

For last year’s Diwali festival, Milap took their celebrations online, and this year the virtual festivities will continue with an exciting line-up of rising stars and internationally renowned performers.

The ever-popular Music for the Mind & Soul series will return to the fore, with two concerts taking place across the week. This national concert series is designed to make the audience relax and forget about their worries and focus on their mental health and wellbeing.

The first of the concerts, and kicking off the week’s celebrations on 1st November, will be Smt. Shirin Sengupta Nath. An internationally acclaimed Hindustani Classical Vocalist from Kolkata, Shirin Sengupta Nath has performed in major music festivals and venues in more than 25 countries around the globe.

Designed especially for the festival, the performance was recorded at the On Air Studio in Kolkata and will feature accompanying artists Gourab Chatterjee (Harmonium), Sandip Ghosh (Tabla), Soumyajyoti Ghosh (Flute), Poulami Dasgupta (Vocal support & Swaramandal) and Dipita Bhattacharya (Vocal support and Percussion).

On 3rd November, Snehasish Mozumdar will perform as part of Milap’s Music for the Mind and Soul concert series. Mozumdar will explore the rich mellow sound of the mandolin, a rare instrument in Hindustani music. Traditionally used in Carnatic music, Snehasish has blended the mandolin seamlessly into the Hindustani style.

Following this concert, a video performance on 4th November from Kathakali artist Dr Janaki Nair will tell the story of Poothanamoksham – the tale of a demoness, her evil motives, motherly love, angst, and eventual surrender to the supreme being.

Poothana is often misunderstood as an ‘evil hag’, but this performance portrays her as a rounded character reflecting various shades of womanhood. Disguised as a beautiful woman, Poothana reaches Ambadi to execute King Kamsa’s order to slay all newborn babies, including Lord Krishna. But when she finds the charming Krishna, she is overwhelmed by motherly love. Caught in a deadly trap, she must make the tough decision between saving the child or saving herself.

During this Diwali – the celebration of inner light outshining the darkness – the story of Poothana and her salvation will bring forth the importance of winning our daily internal conflicts between dharma and adharma.

The final concert in the programme will see Carnatic vocalist, Rithvik Raja partner with award-winning Bharatanatyam dancer Shweta Prachande for a ‘conversation through dance and music’

Rooted in the South Indian Classical Music tradition, popularly known as Carnatic Music, Raja is one of the most celebrated and respected artistes of his era. His collaboration with National Balashree recipient Prachande will no doubt be a highlight of the programme.

For those wanting to get their glad rags on to celebrate in style, Milap’s artist in residence Sheetal Maru will host a ‘Dance with Divas’ special.

Available to dancers of all levels and abilities, the dance lesson will be based around special candles known as ‘Divas’ or ‘Diyas’. The session will include a fun workout and an introduction to authentic Indian Dance styles, whilst also working towards improving your wellbeing and sense of community.

Milap’s programme of events to celebrate Diwali will take place from 1st – 5th November across various streaming platforms including Milap’s YouTube page. Keep an eye on Milap’s social platforms over the coming days for further premiere announcements.

Liverpool’s much-loved Epstein Theatre is entering a brand new chapter with a new management team at the helm. 

Epstein Entertainments Ltd is a joint venture between Liverpool producers Bill Elms, Chantelle Nolan, and Jane Joseph, who have taken over the historic Hanover Street venue. 

The creative team’s exciting plans already include a Christmas pantomime this festive season, which will be announced and on sale this week. The theatre will retain the same name and continue to run as a variety venue with a mixed programme of entertainment. 

Bill Elms has more than 30 years’ experience in the entertainment industry, both regionally and nationally. He is director of leading Liverpool based arts PR company Bill Elms Associates, and a theatre producer under Bill Elms Productions, whose previous shows have included Jerry Springer – The Opera, Swan Song, Judy & Liza, and Something About Simon. 

Last year, he also created Liverpool Theatre Festival, of which he is Artistic Director – the festival has just enjoyed a successful second year. Bill will become the venue’s Artistic and Communications Director. 

Chantelle Nolan, who is currently General Manager at St Helens Theatre Royal, is the new Artistic and Operations Director at The Epstein Theatre. Along with her mother Jane Joseph, she is one half of the hugely successful Regal Entertainments Ltd which has run St Helens Theatre Royal for the past 20 years, as well as producing top quality drama, comedy, and panto productions which have toured extensively. 

Chantelle also directs and produces St Helens’ three annual pantomimes. Regal Entertainments Ltd will now produce three in-house pantomimes a year at The Epstein Theatre.

Bill Elms Productions, Liverpool Theatre Festival, St Helens Theatre Royal, and Regal Entertainments Ltd will continue to run as normal.

The Epstein is a 108-year-old, 380-seat proscenium arch theatre. It was originally opened as Crane’s Music Hall in 1913 and was a popular location for recitals and performances. It was renamed Crane Theatre in 1938. In 1967 the theatre was purchased from the Cranes by Liverpool Corporation, who decided that it should be run by local people for local people and was named The Neptune Theatre. The Neptune also became a comedy club and, after many years of uncertainty about the future of the theatre, it eventually closed in 2005.

In July 2011, a £1million refurbishment of the theatre was completed which saw the Hanover Street venue brought up to 21st Century standards and renamed The Epstein Theatre in honour of former Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who guided the Fab Four from popular cellar act to global superstardom. The opening season show at the venue was the premiere of Epstein: The Man Who Made The Beatles, which was also produced by Bill Elms.

The former operator went into administration in December 2017 and has been run by administrators until this time, continuing to showcase a programme of music, comedy, drama, and children’s entertainment. The venue closed its doors in March 2020 as part of the Government national Covid-19 lockdown, and will now reopen under the management of the new team.

The theatre management are welcoming enquires from local and national production companies to programme from January 2022, producers can email: programming@epsteintheatre.co.uk

For more details check out www.epsteintheatre.co.uk and join the theatre’s mailing list. Follow the venue on Facebook www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre and Twitter @EpsteinTheatre.

From fun facts and the sights to see, to sharing hopes and dreams for the future, The Book of St Helens is a must-read new guidebook created by 146 primary school pupils in St Helens and artists Andy Field and Beckie Darlington, and commissioned and produced by Heart of Glass.

Designed to be read by adults, the 32-page playful publication showcases what life in St Helens is like from the perspective of its children, celebrating the people, places and passions that make the borough great.

Led by artists Andy Field and Beckie Darlington, the Arts Council England and Community Foundation for Merseyside #iwill2019 funded project, saw 146 pupils from Ashurst Primary School, Broad Oak Community Primary School and Rainford C.E. Primary School complete a series of games, questions, and activities about their hometown with their teachers.

Along with designing a new flag, crest, and catchy St Helens Town Anthem, together they wrote about what they love, what they wish could be better and what changes they would make if they were in charge.

A small group of editors from the group then worked directly with Andy and Beckie to bring their hundreds of ideas together. Illustrator Rhi Moxon turned the children’s original sketches and ideas into a series of captivating maps and drawings, while New York based designer Will Brady put all the words and pictures together to create the final book.

Two hundred copies of The Book of St Helens have been printed and shared with the children and people living and working locally, while a digital edition is available to download now from the Heart of Glass website: heartofglass.org.uk/tbosh

A panto streamed online earlier this year is being brought to life to entertain families this October half-term – with hundreds of tickets also being donated to frontline NHS workers in St Helens. 

Leading panto producers Regal Entertainments is counting down four weeks until the curtain rises on family favourite Jack And The Beanstalk at St Helens Theatre Royal.

Regal Entertainments kept online audiences entertained at Easter when they went the extra mile to stream its popular seasonal show so families could still watch together at home while the country was still in the midst of a national lockdown.

The show proved so popular that theatregoers now have the opportunity to watch it in real-life during the October half-term school holidays featuring a cast of St Helens Theatre Royal favourites.

Jack And The Beanstalk heads to St Helens Theatre Royal for 15 performances between Thursday 21 October and Sunday 31 October 2021.

St Helens Theatre Royal has been granted the use of the Society Of London Theatre & UK Theatre’s ‘See It Safely’ mark. This certifies that the venue is complying with Government and industry Covid-19 guidelines to ensure the safety of staff, performers, and audiences.

Regal Entertainments and St Helens Theatre Royal wanted to mark the return of live panto to the venue by doing something special – so they are thanking the tireless efforts of frontline NHS workers by donating 500 panto tickets to Whiston and St Helens Hospitals.

Regal Entertainments, St Helens Theatre Royal, and St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust are working together to allocate the tickets.

Ann Marr OBE, Chief Executive of St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, commented: “The past 18 months have been the most challenging time for our staff, and we are incredibly grateful for the support we continue to receive from our local community. Thank you to everyone at St Helens Theatre Royal for thinking of our staff during this time and giving them the opportunity to have some much-needed fun in our wonderful local theatre. I am sure they will enjoy every moment.”

St Helens Theatre Royal’s Autumn season brochure can be found online by visiting https://www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com/digital-brochure/