5:30pm
Unity 1
Horizon Film Festival showcases the work of Liverpool’s best and brightest upcoming filmmakers. We seek to give them the exposure, connections, and support they need to thrive in the industry.
Attending the festival is your opportunity to watch groundbreaking short films, talk to their creators, and discover the bold visionaries who will shape the future of our industry.
Join us in celebrating the art of film in the heart of Liverpool.
8.00pm
Twenty years ago The School of Night made its first appearance, at Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Sixteen years ago it made its Liverpool debut at the legendary MelloMello cafe. Since then, its unique blend of literary improvisation has been seen all over the UK (National Theatre, British Library, Hay, Latitude and Edinburgh festivals) and beyond (in the US, Malaysia and all over Europe) as well as appearing on many radio shows, including BBC Radio’s The Verb. They are delighted to be back in Liverpool to perform new works by Shakespeare and others, summoned from thin air! Imagine if making stuff up was just more fun than writing it down…
‘Uproarious, intelligent, laugh-a-minute fare’
★ ★ ★ ★ Telegraph
‘Fearsomely able improvisers’
★ ★ ★ ★ Financial Times
‘Never trust a man who, when left alone in a room with a tea cosy, doesn’t try it on.’
Billy Connolly
Day and weekend passes are available to purchase for the entire festival. There is a limited number of these passes available. Follow the link here to purchase yours.
7.00pm
For millennia, people have gathered around fires to share fables, weave myths, and cast shadows that dance on cave walls. Now, Allegory of the Cave breathes new life into these ancient traditions.
This unique production is brought to you by a skilled ensemble who combine traditional improv with the captivating arts of puppetry and shadow theatre, weaving elements of folklore and timeless storytelling into a living tapestry of improvised scenes. Prepare for big ideas, unforgettable characters, and epic adventures that unfold live before your eyes – no two performances alike, yet each a journey into the unknown.
Allegory of the Cave is the collaborative creation of Audra Goffeney, Rosalind Gregoire, Jennifer Jordan, and Robert MacKie. Together, they bring a rich blend of fantasy, folklore, and shadow theatre techniques to the world of improv, crafting performances that transport audiences into realms of myth and wonder.
“Raw, Beautiful and Haunting”
“This show completely changed what I thought improv could be”
“Breathtaking”
5.30pm
Box of Frogs, Birmingham’s premier Improv Group, brings you a fabulous evening of improvised comedy. The multi-talented and quick-witted Box of Frogs players conjure up hilarious spontaneous songs, sketches and scenes on the spur of the moment, all based on suggestions from the audience.
“superb night … great entertainment” – midlandsimprov.com
“this show was terrific fun as well as being great value for money“ – Brumhour
“Guarantee you’ll be laughing throughout.” – Love Midlands Theatre
“The brilliant and bouncy Box of Frogs is definitely a group to see at least once before you croak.” – Bum On A Seat
7.30pm
A movement ritual of care & resilience.
How has colonialism impacted the care we have received from our elders?
How did we experience their resilience?
What nurturing strategies can we share with each other to help us thrive, in a
mainstream society that seeks to racialise and dehumanise us?
Can we create rituals and spaces to care for ourselves?
Women from the Global Ethnic Majority whose families have been impacted by colonisation share their own histories of care, resilience, legacy, and how these stories live in their bodies. Going beyond everyday storytelling, transforming those energies into a live experience. This performance brings to audiences our latest research and development phase of this project, where we focused on weaving personal storytelling, movement, dramaturgy and community.
CONTENT WARNINGS:
The work deals with social construct of race and colonial histories/troubles.
CREATIVE TEAM:
Fabíola is an interdisciplinary Afro-Portuguese artist based in Liverpool.
With a PhD scholarship in performance and decolonising studies (Liverpool Hope University) she is currently researching performance making as a space where people from the Global Ethnic Majority can gather to centre their stories, be witnessed, and nurtured – collectively creating a space for the ancestors to reverberate through us — pointing us toward the elders we want to become.
Fabiola is the maker of ‘A Home for Grief’, supported by Lancaster Arts, Unity Theatre, Contact Theatre, Glasgow Tramway & Arts Council England.
www.fabiolasantana.co.uk
Jessica Morgado is an emerging dance artists based in Cambridge. As a dancer and international collaborator her works include: WRESTLELADSWRESTLE by Jennifer Jackson Company (Cambridge); Turn 2024: Mother’s, Grandmothers and Their post Colonial Children with Fabiola Santana (Manchester; Company MARRAFA (Brussels); ‘HOME’ by Luís Marrafa at the Westrand – Cultuurcentrum Dilbeek; ‘Rebuild’ by Iolanda Rodrigues and Marina Sacramento (Portugal); ‘Oito’ by Lia Vohlgemuth and Nuno Santos (Portugal).
WilL Dickie is an interdisciplinary artist whose works received nationwide support, touring to 40+ UK venues including Southbank Centre, The Place & In Between Time. His recent show White Sun had its international premier this year in Boorloo (Perth, WA) as part of The Blue Room’s Summer Nights during Perth Fringe Festival. White Sun was first developed with Works Ahead 2020, co-ommissioned/co-produced by hÅb + Contact. Collaborative credits include choreography for Hanna Tuulikki; movement director at Regents Park Open Air Theatre; director of A Home for Grief by Fabiola Santana.
www.willdickie.co.uk
Created and performed by Fabíola Santana
Performed-Devised Jessica Morgado
Directed by WilL Dickie
Producer: Emmy Lahouel
Other creatives will be joining our team as the project keeps developing, we will update their names and contributions as they join.
This project is funded by the Arts Council England through National Lottery Project Grants; made possible by an Artist Residency with Metal Liverpool, and Fabíola being the recipient of the Turn Prize (2024) supported by Company Chameleon, Dance Consortia NW, hÅb + Project Auske. In partnership with the Unity Theatre (Liverpool), Tyn-y-Parc Studio (Wales), and Liverpool Hope University.
7:30pm
“Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be born into a country where your safety was at risk?
Afloat is a theatre for social change performance, following the journey of two English citizens seeking asylum in a fictional place, fighting for their lives as the dream to make Britain Great turns into a living nightmare.
Afloat brings to the stage powerful real-life stories of asylum seekers, inviting the audience to step into their shoes and confront the daily struggles and challenges faced with every step. By experiencing their journey firsthand, we aim to foster a deeper sense of empathy and compassion for those navigating the asylum process.
Following the performance, engage in a thought-provoking post-show discussion led by Asylum Link, where we’ll open up a dialogue to explore how we can collectively support asylum seekers in our communities. Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of something truly impactful—a journey of hope, humanity, and the resilience of the human spirit.
Members of Asylum Link have been empowered through training in all aspects of devising theatre, collaborating alongside industry professionals to bring this production to life. Together, they’ve crafted a performance that not only educates audiences on the asylum process but also highlights the importance of community cohesion and the transformative power of the arts. ‘Afloat’ is a response to the long term barriers asylum seekers face and theatre for change was recognised as an outlet allowing service users to articulate their voices alongside learning and fulfilling long term life goals.
Asylum Link is an organisation dedicated to helping Asylum Seekers and Refugees, offering a warm welcome, friendship and a place to belong. Their vision is to build a society where Asylum Seekers are accepted, understood and welcomed, for the benefit of the whole community. Asylum Link offers a wide range of services, including drop-in and appointments for specialist activities.| 15+
“The stories were very real & told authentically from the heart” – Audience Member
“Although harrowing, succeeds in finding an optimistic outlook in the humanity that is discovered along the way, and feels like a glimmer of sunrise on the horizon” – Good News Liverpool
Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England
6-8pm
The importance of the aesthetic on the stage, what goes into creating and completing “a Look ” for the stage. Costumes, Props, Make Up, Set, Lights, Special Effect…
Focusing on the design aspect from the eyes of the performer and theatre makers.
How to make your show visually striking. The importance of what you see,
Selling what you see.
18+
6-8pm
This workshop explores tools and techniques for engaging directly with the present audience. We’ll be particularly focused on storytelling but these approaches can be used by anyone.
Daniel Bye is a north west based writer, director and theatre-maker. His award-winning internationally touring work includes Going Viral, These Hills Are Ours and The Price of Everything. He has created work for, among others, Leeds Playhouse, Northern Stage, Royal & Derngate, FUEL and Red Ladder. He spends most of his time wishing he was up a mountain.
7:30pm
Written & performed by Nathaniel J Hall
Presented by Dibby Theatre
A HOME Co-commission, supported by Arts Council England
Hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, Toxic is the critically-acclaimed new show from award winning theatre maker Nathaniel J Hall (First Time, It’s A Sin).
“This is the story of how we met, fell in love, and f*cked it up.”
Manchester 2017. A chance meeting on a hook-up app sets two damaged thirty-something hearts on a spectacular collision course. Born into Thatcher’s Britain of race riots and rampant homophobia and growing up in the shadow of Aids and Section 28, the pair form a trauma bond so tight, they might just survive it all. But sometimes survival means knowing when to leave.
This explosive semi-autobiographical show written by Nathaniel J Hall and performed by Nathaniel with Josh-Susan Enright blends storytelling (dir. by Scott Le Crass), movement (Plaster Cast), stunning design (Lu Herbert), visual projections and lighting (dede ././ and Tracey Gibbs) and an original pumping soundtrack by SHAR.
Inspired by true events, Toxic is a powerful and passionate play that pulls back the glittery curtain of pride to reveal a place where many still suffer the devastating impact of generational HIV stigma, racism, homophobia and toxic gender norms.
“This show is far from Toxic – it is a breath of fresh air. – “West End Best Friend
“a beautiful reminder to us all to live life with pride” – Curtain Call Reviews
“Very thought-provoking” – Your MCR
Cast
Josh-Susan Enright (They/Them)
Nathaniel J Hall (He/They)
Unity Theatre has always been a place for creatives to come and grow their skills in a comfortable, affordable and supportive setting. In 2025 Unity are upholding their commitment to supporting creatives through an entirely new range of workshops. Covering a vast range of topics, there is something for everyone, so feel free to come and get involved in the 2025 workshop series.
What’s Coming Up?
Bric à Brac Theatre Workshop
Tue 21 Jan
Join Bric à Brac Theatre (Associate Company of Told by an Idiot) for a workshop looking at how to use devising techniques to navigate big topics. Bric à Brac are a Lecoq-trained, female-led theatre company who combine physical storytelling and multimedia to focus on stories they feel need to be told.
Find out more
From Page to Stage with Helen Jeffery
Tue 28 Jan
What IS a scratch night? How does a work-in-progress showing differ from a production?
If these are questions YOU are asking, then join Helen for this workshop where you will learn all about the nuts and bolts of getting your work on stage. Perfect for anyone thinking about self-producing.
Find out more
Expressive Ensemble with Tmesis Theatre
Mon 10 Feb
This workshop will focus on developing a playful, expressive performer, creating physical sequences, physical devising methods and working as an embodied ensemble to explore ideas, character or story. Tmesis are a renowned physical theatre company based in Liverpool, led by our AD Eli Randle.
Find out more
Commedia dell’Arte with Ann Farrar
Sat 15 Feb
Come and play with the wonderful masks of Commedia! As a physical comedy performer and teacher for over thirty years, I am always amazed and inspired to see how these masks can unlock a performer’s comic skills and timing. Through movement and improvisation we will explore the physicality and voices of key Commedia characters, creating short fun duets, later in the day.
Find out more
Theatre and Performance Skills for Families
Tue 18 Feb
Join us in this fun and practical workshop for children and families.
We will be using a range of activities and games designed to draw out elements of the play’s language, characters and themes. Come to Unity and take part in an interactive workshop for the whole family.
Find out more
Circus Skills with Splats Entertainment & Teatro Pomodoro
Wed 19 Feb
In this workshop, young people can learn various circus skills, including juggling scarves, balancing peacock feathers, spinning plates, juggling bean bags, diabolos, flower-sticks, and riding pedal-go. This fun experience encourages a dedication to practice, building confidence.
Find out more
Accessing Vulnerability with Joseph Winder
Thu 25 Feb
Finding comfort in the uncomfortable. This workshop focuses on bringing actors together in an intimate way, exploring ways to build trust in their fellow actors in a short amount of time. It challenges the participants to be fully present and push themselves through uncomfortable situations but in a safe environment.
Find out more
This Kind of… Workshop: Poetry and Storytelling with Reece Williams
Tue 11 March
Are you ready to dive deep into your own narrative? Join us for ‘This Kind of…Workshop’, an immersive poetry and storytelling workshop that invites you to explore the richness of your autobiographical experiences. Guided by the powerful themes of identity, resilience, and community, this workshop offers a safe and inspiring space to craft your own stories and poems.
Find out more
Honest Play: Devising with Ugly Bucket
Tue 18 March
Learn from the multi-award-winning Ugly Bucket on how to devise with heart and humour. Together, we’ll explore how to draw from honest testimony and sources, harnessing clown techniques to create impactful scenes that blend humour, vulnerability, and pulsating physicality. Encouraging play, risk, and an intuitive, emotion-driven approach to devising, this workshop aims to leave participants inspired and confident to craft work that connects on a deeper level.
Find out more
It’s A Living Thing! with Marc Parrett of theOBJECTproject
Sat 22 March
This workshop is a welcoming, playful and creative introduction to puppetry in its multiple forms. Even if you’re familiar with puppetry, this is a chance to delve deeper into the life and thoughts of the puppet and explore its relationship with both the audience and its puppeteers!
Find out more
Working The Crowd with Daniel Bye
Tue 25 March
This workshop explores tools and techniques for engaging directly with the present audience. We’ll be particularly focused on storytelling but these approaches can be used by anyone.
Find out more
Stage Aesthetic for Performers with Carmen Arquelladas
Tue 1st April
This workshop focusses on the importance of the aesthetic on the stage, what goes into creating and completing “a Look ” for the stage. Costumes, Props, Make Up, Set, Lights, Special Effects and more.
Focusing on the design aspect from the eyes of the performer and theatre makers and how to make your show visually striking.
Find out more
Make A Rubbish Myth Workshop
Sat 5 April
This exciting workshop, led by Lee Hithersay from Rubbish Shakespeare Company and Dear Old Uncle Bob Bob of The Silly History Boys, invites your children to become myth-makers! Combining clowning, physicality, and storytelling, participants will learn the essential building blocks of myths and legends, from heroic deeds to mischievous villains. Through playful activities, children will discover how to bring their own fantastical stories and creation myths to life. In a world of rehashed franchises and sequels, this wraparound experience aims to foster a love of new and original stories, and empower children’s creativity and artistic potential.
Find out more