Event type: Comedy

Joel returns to his stand-up roots with a brand-new show.

With glamorous tales from behind the camera and less glamorous anecdotes of first-time fatherhood, Joel remains a charming, exhausted, happy idiot.

As one of the nation’s most familiar faces on television, Joel has established himself as one of the UK’s most trusted and beloved presenters and a firm favourite in UK households.

As presenter of Saturday night smash-hit The Masked Singer, ITV2’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here: Extra Camp, BBC’s reboot of Survivor, the hugely popular quiz show In With A Shout and the front man of the National Television Awards, Joel has also hosted BBC’s Live at the Apollo and co-hosts hit podcast, Never Have I Ever with his wife, Hannah.

The Leopard in My House is proof that this leftie, working-class, Radio 4 favourite truly deserves his place in the UK comedy pantheon.

“The consultant had told me he was confident I had throat cancer that had spread into the lymph glands. Joyfully, I held his hand, and looked up to the heavens like a South American footballer after scoring a goal. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.”

Join multi award-winning, BAFTA-nominated writer and comedian Mark Steel for his new tour ‘The Leopard in My House’. The topic? His battle with throat cancer. A battle he is winning (thankfully) and which only his rapier wit could fashion a comedy tour show out of. Cancer has done nothing to dull Mark’s acute political observations or quash his “frankly bonkers” energy: you will laugh, you will cry, but you’ll laugh again, and again, and again.

Mark Steel is best known for his critically-acclaimed BBC Radio 4 show Mark Steel’s in Town (now in its 13th series), as well as his hit podcast What The F*** Is Going On…?. He has presented the BAFTA-nominated Mark Steel Lectures for BBC Two, and is a regular on BBC One’s Have I Got News for You and BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz. He has also written several acclaimed books, including an adaptation of his critically acclaimed stand-up show Who Do I Think I Am? for Audible.

Described as ‘the funniest dad on Instagram’, stand-up comedian George has racked up hundreds of millions of views for his hilarious online sketches about the big things in life, like owning an air fryer, watching a David Beckham documentary, and the excruciating experience of trying to do a jigsaw with your kid.

Now he’s bringing his brand new stand up show to the stage. It won’t just be about parenting though, because he has done loads this year. He’s bought a new hoover, watched some more stuff on Netflix… loads.

Between #makingmemories with his kids, George has also appeared on The Stand Up Sketch Show and Comedy Central Live, written a best selling book (Don’t Panic! All the stuff the expectant dad needs to know) and has supported Romesh Ranganathan, Tom Allen, Russell Kane and Josh Widdicombe on their national tours.

So, activate the parents’ whatsapp groups, dump the kids with whoever is willing to have them, and join George for a brilliant night out.

An exhibition by Charlotte Weatherstone, Kirsten Todd & Mariana Potetenko
‘ICONIC WOMEN’ carries us through Women’s History Month which celebrates the contributions of women around the globe to events in history and contemporary life. The portraits you will see will bring a rush of film names, songs and dates to mind as the women in this exhibition have driven progress through scientific efforts, in the sports industry and changing the views of women in the media and culture. From local legends to the world stage, they each show characteristics of excellence, channelling their talents and strength to rise; a rising tide raises all boats.

Kirsten Todd

Specialising in portraits, Kirsten works mainly in acrylics and aims to capture, vibrancy, energy, strength, balance and beauty within the people she paints. Her latest series of portraits ‘Rise of the Divine Feminine’ highlights the rise of feminine energy within us at this time of great change, celebrating the strength of womenkind. Kirsten’s portraits in this exhibition focus on the ground-breaking and fiercely original women of predominantly the entertainment world, from Blondie frontwoman Debbie Harry, Tina Turner and her electrifying stage presence to Lauryn Hill’s vulnerability, authenticity and talent for musical storytelling.

Mariana Potetenko

“As a Ukrainian artist who made Liverpool my home in 2022 after the war in Ukraine began, I was deeply moved to be part of this exhibition dedicated to the famous women of this city. The process of creating these portraits allowed me to connect with the city on a deeper level and to celebrate the women who have left an indelible mark on its history. My selection includes women from diverse backgrounds and fields, each of whom represents a unique aspect of Liverpool’s rich heritage.” Instantly recognisable faces like Cilla Black and Kim Cattrall are painted in vibrant strokes alongside new some names you will remember after you leave the exhibition, such as Louise Kenny, a pioneering professor in women’s health and cancer survivor, who has made significant contributions to medical research, improving lives and advancing science.

Charlotte Weatherstone

Charlotte studied Graphics at Liverpool John Moores University and is an illustrator, designer and mural artist based in Liverpool. “This series of illustrated and mixed media portraits is a tribute to some of the most iconic women in the music industry during their early or breakthrough years. PJ Harvey, Siouxsie Sioux from Siouxsie and the Banshees, Grace Jones, Courtney Love from Hole, and Björk. These artists have influenced and inspired me at different stages of my life, not only through their groundbreaking music but also through their bold live performances, candid interviews, revolutionary fashion and, most importantly, their unapologetic attitude. For me, attitude is what defines a person, it is the force that shapes how they navigate the world, take risks, and make their presence felt. Using my signature linear style, I sought to distil their spirit into a visual form using simple yet expressive mark making tools which reflect the raw energy, complexity, depth of these women. Each have taught me how to embrace boldness, defy convention, and remain authentic in the face of adversity.”

All artworks are for sale.

Exhibition continues Friday 14th February – 29th March.

VISIT: Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 – 18:00

Come and enjoy the latest exhibition in the Unity bar space!
 

This exhibition of botanical prints was made by a process utilising the chemicals in leaves and flowers to create ethereal imprints. The work was produced in three workshops during May and June 2024 at Squash Grapes Community Garden, Granby Winter Garden and Growing Sudley walled garden. The workshops were delivered by Dr Sarah Haynes a researcher at Liverpool John Moores University to gather specimens for a contemporary herbarium, annotated with the thoughts, memories, folklore, recipes, botanical knowledge, and experience of the workshop’s participants. For more information see here: https://www.thevirtual-garden.com/herbarium This exhibition also features printed specimens from Sarah’s garden in Aigburth.

The project has been a collaboration between plant scientists, gardeners, herbalists, artists, and communities in Liverpool exploring the roots and branches of plant culture, gardening and plant chemistry. The project aims to connect people with their local environment, to ask questions and share knowledge about plants.

“Any piece of art should have the audience leave with more than they entered the room with. Super Connected definitely succeeds : it is a hugely significant piece of work, containing a vital message, carefully constructed and brilliantly performed. Outstanding”  – UK Fringe Review ★★★★  

Is it time to break up with our phones?  The stage adaptation of the critically acclaimed album by Tim Arnold, ‘Super Connected’ is an art rock Black Mirror-esque show fusing film, live music, and theatre about the ticking time bomb of social media, screen addiction and the impact of Big Tech’s power over human life. As the film rolls, Arnold performs his Silicon Valley-slamming songs on stage and screen. With the scale of Radiohead and panache of Bowie, Super Connected LIVE is a digital-age take on the silent movie. With narration by Stephen Fry. Full of wit, wisdom, and terror, the show tells the true story of a teenager battling screen addiction—and her family’s fight against it. Being pulled in and out of the screen by the attention-grabbing characters, Arnold grapples with what connection and intimacy mean in a digitally distracted world. PhoneFreeze! Lock your phones in our pouches, pocket them, and break free from the digital grind before the show! Join us after for our ‘Screenless Social’ to chat with each other and the creative team.  

TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_xV6CHx-WU Explore the album before you watch the show: https://superconnected.technology/the-album/ Follow Super Connected and Tim Arnold on Instagram: @superconnecteduk @timarnold Visit the official website: https://superconnected.technology/story/ Music taken from the album ‘Tim Arnold – Super Connected’ Written and performed by Tim Arnold Piano Sarah Kershaw   Film directed by Tim Arnold. Developed with, and directed by Kate Alderton Produced by Nim Arnold for The Tim Arnold Company  

“A lush, dynamic and dramatic piece about the enslavement and surveillance of our phone and computer screens” – Mojo ★★★★ 

“A mammoth triumph, through Tim Arnold’s immaculate songwriting and Kate Alderton’s superlative artistic stage direction. A reformation of the art of album-crafting” – Brighton and Hove News ★★★★  

“Super Connected is like a warning from the future… remarkably poignant, funny, ominous and heartrending” – R n R ★★★★