Season Opening Concert: Dream Team

 

Programme:

Amadeo Roldán La Rebambaramba

Jennifer Higdon blue cathedral*

Arturo Márquez Trumpet Concerto

Dvořák Symphony No.9, ‘From the New World’

 

Performers:

Domingo Hindoyan conductor

Pacho Flores trumpet

Percussionists from Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company and In Harmony Liverpool*

New season, new worlds! We’ve always loved Dvořák’s New World symphony, and if you enjoy great tunes, stirring emotions, and the glorious sound of a full orchestra playing its heart out, we’re sure that you’ll love it too. And that’s not even the half of it – the Dream Team reunite as our great friend and trumpet player extraordinaire Pacho Flores joins Domingo Hindoyan and the Orchestra for a multi-coloured celebration of the Americas in all their diversity and wonder.

 

 

Ravel La Valse

 

Programme:

Copland El Salón México

Britten Violin Concerto

Carlos Simon Four Black American Dances

Ravel Pavane pour une infante défunte, and La Valse

Performers:

Alpesh Chauhan conductor

Simone Lamsma violin

When Aaron Copland hit the town in Mexico City, he didn’t hold back, and tonight Alpesh Chauhan takes us on a wild, whirling ride through the highs and lows of the 20th century. Maurice Ravel waltzes on the brink, and Carlos Simon brings more dances to the party with his Four Black American Dances: Ring Shout!, Waltz, Tap and Holt Dance. We also welcome back previous Artist in Residence Simone Lamsma to play Britten’s gripping Violin Concerto: a work that weaves dark visions on the eve of the Second World War.

 

Young Frankenstein

From the creators of the record-breaking Broadway sensation, The Producers, comes this monster musical comedy. The comedy genius, Mel Brooks, adapts his legendarily funny film into a brilliant stage creation – Young Frankenstein!

Grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein, Frederick Frankenstein (pronounced “Fronk-en-steen”) inherits his family’s estate in Transylvania. With the help of a hunchbacked sidekick, Igor (pronounced “Eye-gore”), and a leggy lab assistant, Inga (pronounced normally), Frederick finds himself in the mad scientist shoes of his ancestors. “It’s alive!” he exclaims as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather’s. Eventually, of course, the monster escapes and hilarity continuously abounds.

Every bit as relevant to audience members who will remember the original as it will be to newcomers, Young Frankenstein has all the of panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair added. It will surely be the perfect opportunity for a production company to showcase an array of talents. With such memorable tunes as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” by Irving Berlin Young Frankenstein is scientifically proven, monstrously good entertainment.

Directed and choreographed by international award-winning director and choreographer Nick Winston, known for Bonnie & Clyde (Garrick Theatre, WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Musical), MAME and Burlesque.

Presented by Hope Mill Theatre for their 10th Anniversary.
hopemilltheatre.co.uk

Romeo and Juliet

Following last summer’s sold-out ‘Macbeth’, this hard-hitting Romeo & Juliet adaptation from multi award winning ‘A Place For Us Theatre’ delivers a story which resonates across the ages.

Set in the striking Performance Garden at Shakespeare North, passion, violence and urgency explode in a bold high energy production, capturing the intensity of youthful passion and the devastating consequences of division.

With dynamic staging, visceral performances, heart stopping drama and immersive staging this performance creates an unforgettable charged theatrical experience. Experience this classic, accessible retelling of infatuation, conflict and fate…immediate and strikingly relevant…all under the open sky.

‘…The torment is real, the hideous crimes authentic, the anguish and grief tangible – each scene, each actor, each movement, played with passion and credence. It was superb… (***** Northwest End Review – Macbeth 2024)

IT’S THE ECONOMY, STUPID!

 

Based on a true story of a family caught up in the 90s recession, It’s the Economy, Stupid!by Joe Sellman-Leava with Dylan Howells developed with and directed by Katharina Reinthaller

Date: 6 August 2025Time: 7pmLocation: Arts In Library , Chester Lane Library, Four Acre Lane, WA9 4DETickets: £5-£8

‘Smart, sharp writing…deftly blends the personal with the political’

★★★★ Natasha Tripney, The Stage

WINNER OF BEST ACTOR & BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR

DarkChat Edinburgh Awards 2024

EDINBURGH 2024: BEST THEATRE SHOWS TO SEE

Lyn Gardner, The Stage

Based on a true story of a family caught up in the 90s recession, It’s the Economy, Stupid! reveals the heart, humour and humanity behind economics.

Using paper bags, an old board game and a pinch of magic, Joe Sellman-Leava and Dylan Howells calculate how their lives were shaped by the economies they grew up in, uncover how economics wins elections, and ask why the force that dominates people’s lives is so bloody complicated!

‘THIS SHOW ACHIEVES THE IMPOSSIBLE’

★★★★ Playbill

It’s the Economy, Stupid! has been praised for making economics accessible and entertaining, while connecting a deeply personal story to the financial realities we all face today: including the housing and cost of living crises. Taking its title from James Carville (who successfully framed the 1992 American Presidential election around the recession), It’s the Economy, Stupid! combines slick staging, innovative projection-mapping and magical storytelling, to reveal the true cost of low financial literacy in money-dominated world.

Developed with and directed by internationally acclaimed Katharina Reinthaller, and produced by Worklight Theatre, It’s the Economy, Stupid! is a bold new play from the Fringe First winning creators of Labels and Fanboy.

Last year it premiered with a sold-out, critically acclaimed run at Edinburgh Fringe, before embarking on a national tour, which continues in 2025, before a transferring to London’s Soho Theatre. Tickets go fast for this one so be sure to book soon!

 

Reviews

 

‘IT MIGHT JUST BE WHAT WE NEED RIGHT NOW…’

The Times

‘AN EFFECTIVE DOUBLE ACT…BOTH BRING INTELLIGENCE AND CHARISMA’

Arifa Akbar, The Guardian

‘very funny, poignant, expertly delivered…catch it while you can!’

★★★★ Broadway Baby

‘THIS SHOW ACHIEVES THE IMPOSSIBLE’★★★★ Playbill

‘BRILLIANT AND PASSIONATE’

★★★★★ City Girl Network

‘EXTRAORDINARY’

★★★★★ Adventures In Theatreland

‘PERSONAL, POLISHED AND PROVOCATIVE’

★★★★ The Scotsman on LABELS

‘BRIMMING WITH ENERGY’

★★★★ The Stage on MONSTER

‘A FASCINATING PIECE…FULL OF SURPRISES’★★★★★ Broadway Baby on FANBOY

 

Taylor Vs Sabrina

5:30pm
 
Two pop queens. One unforgettable night!

Get ready for a night of pure pop magic! This dazzling tribute show celebrates two of the biggest icons – Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter – in an electrifying head-to-head performance. Expect glittering costumes, non-stop sing-along hits, and the ultimate feel-good vibes as we bring your favourite anthems to life on stage. Whether you’re a Swiftie, a Sabrina superfan, or just love a great night out, this is the show you won’t want to miss.

Free Workshop: Follow What Feels Good

 

 

Follow What Feels Good

An accessible contemporary movement workshop with Tip Tray Theatre & Studio Fluid.

Join Tip Tray Theatre’s artistic director, and award winning dancer/choreographer Rosie Terry Toogood for a free movement workshop exploring how you can listen to your body to create and enhance your own personal movement style. Open to anyone who is interested in movement or dance.

 

Date: Friday 1st August, 6pm

Location: Shakespeare North Playhouse

Free Tickets: Book here

Access: If you have any access requirements for the session, please contact maisy@tiptraytheatre.com

 

 

Sauce and Sorcery

Abrakebabra is just a normal chippy in the Swan. Chips, fish, scallops and donner meat all served up with a smile. Well, sometimes served up with a smile. 

What’s less normal are the people behind the counter. You see Finn and his grandad Grant have a little sideline in spells and hexes to go with your meat pie. Grant’s a wizard, you see. Yeah, a proper wizard, but he’s more Dumbledork than Dumbledore. 

After receiving a warning for using magic in a built-up area, Grant is supposed to be keeping his head down. But after a tiny transmogrification mistake concerning the local drug dealing entrepreneur he’s in danger of losing his head entirely. He was only trying to help. 

Get yourself to the Royal Court Studio to see Paddy Clarke’s brand new comedy that sees what happens when the worlds of wizardry and fast food collide. 

Winner winner wiccan dinner!

Scratch Night

The acclaimed series of work in progress nights at Unity continues into 2025 by popular demand with monthly instalments of never before seen work.

Over the last year Unity has established itself as the go to venue for fresh, and innovative new work with a sell out series of work in progress evenings and unmissable variety nights.

Get your tickets now to avoid dissapointment.

The Line Up 

Flinger by Steve Wallis

I’m a Liverpool performer and dog-walker who came to a clown workshop at the Unity last year. I left the workshop with 5 minutes of material and am now trying to pad that out  grow that to 10 minutes. During the workshop it emerged, that I was mainly trying to find out whether I could make a dog-ball-flinger look a bit like a flamingo. You be the judge!

Feed The Scousers by Jakob Taylor

‘Feed The Scousers is a playful postulation on Scouseness as both a cultural identity and way of being. Come with me, as I attempt to stage and represent a true celebration of the city of Liverpool and its inhabitants, Scousers. Exploring such through my own lived experience and historicity’

Jakob is a theatre maker and dramaturg from Liverpool. Following the conclusion of his master’s studies in London he is hoping to build upon the foundation of his academic studies and develop his creative practice starting with the re-imagining of his final performance piece ‘Feed The Scousers’

Casu Martzu by Simone Tani

A clown’s journey through a world of maggot-infested blue cheese. Featuring Teatro Pomodoro’s Simone Tani and live music by Marco Riola, this duo of Sardinians living in Liverpool brings laughter, tunes, and a taste of their magical Mediterranean island to the Unity Theatre.

The Fanny Diaries by Erin McDaid

Have you ever wondered what your fanny would say if she could talk? Would she be pleased and proud of your antics? Or would she give you a stern talking to? ‘The Fanny Diaries’ is an original comedy, following twenty-four-and-a-half-year-old Camilla’s journey, as she tackles the trials and tribulations of the hell that we call womanhood. If that isn’t enough, dealing with a whirlwind of failed romances and unsatisfactory sexual interactions, as well as facing her upcoming smear test, which leads to unexpected news, could all send her spiralling.

Seafloor by Jake Angerer

A monologue about a young man and a baby pigeon (or – an extract from a work in progress by a very slow writer).

Jake is a part time writer. Some of his work has appeared in the Raven Review, Creepypod and The Last Line. He enjoys writing horror.

Ghost Town

When Darren takes on a dare to sneak into the haunted hospital, he vanishes without a trace. Now, his mates are on a mission to figure out what happened. As they follow spooky clues and things start getting weirder, tensions rise. Is the hospital really haunted? Will they find Darren?

With tourists, buskers and scallies causing chaos – plus a rogue seagull and a Greggs sausage roll thrown into the mix – Ghost Town is spooky, comedy thriller, written and directed by Paislie Reid, in collaboration with the brilliant young voices of 20 Stories High Youth Theatre.

Created as part of the Cities Exchange, a collaboration between 20 Stories High, Beyond Face, Company Three and Zoo Co.

Are you brave enough to uncover the truth? Grab your tickets now… before it’s too late.