Event type: Performance

Michael Rosen: Getting Through It

Getting Through It is a powerful, deeply personal yet universally relatable, double bill of monologues and poetry.

In the first part, The Death of Eddie, Michael explores his experience after losing his 18-year-old son to meningitis, recalling the strange and contradictory mix of emotions felt after the unexpected loss. This story, memorably captured in Michael’s children’s book The Sad Book, is told in vivid and poetic detail.

In the second part, Many Kinds of Love, Michael recounts his 48-day period in intensive care, after contracting COVID-19 early in the pandemic, and having to face his own mortality. Both stories are told with Michael’s signature positivity, humour and poetry. Together, the two pieces are a testimony to the spirit of recovery.

 
 

Andy Zaltzman: The Zaltgeist

Following a sell-out 2024/2025 tour host of The Bugle, New’s Quiz, Test Match Special and Taskmaster champion Andy Zaltzman, extends his hit tour into 2026 (with extra material added due to phenomenal world chaos).

One of the UK’s leading satirical comedians, Andy assesses the state of Planet Earth and its most famous and controversial species – the human race. Attempting to concoct vaguely plausible answers to perennial questions such as What?, Who?, Where?, and above all Why?

Spoken Word Poetry

Head along and enjoy poets and wordsmiths bringing their views and experiences to life, featuring Dionne Simpson, Sabiya and Janoma Omena. The experimental The Spoken Word Poetry Night has always been such a well-loved segment of the festival from audiences and artists alike.

BlackFest have shortlisted the talented and passionate artists to develop their work over a series of professionally facilitated workshops and rehearsals. The comedy veers from breaking intergenerational curses to dark and witty humour, covering themes of abuse, race, culture and identity.

The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase

The Alternative Black Cabaret Comedy Showcase is hosted by Che Burnley, hailing from Oldham and an honorary Scouser. In the last few years Che has established his own showcase show in Edinburgh and Liverpool, provided tour support for Reginald D Hunter, written his own solo shows and still found time to gig across the country.

Join the festival comedy showcase for Che and some excellent supporting acts from Liverpool and beyond.

BlackFest October Scratch Night Take Over

Join the BlackFest October Scratch Night Take Over as artists Shak, Chelsey, Resila and BluBoy bring exciting experimental new works using their disciplines and theatre to bring their stories to life.

Some of the artists use their writing and directing skills, some their own performance and poetry skills and some a combination of singing performing and writing. They are also creating open mic slots after the artists have performed, you can sign up before the event at andi.herring@blackfest.co.uk.

Head along and enjoy a highly varied set of work from ambitious creatives.

The Poems of Poe

Head along and join Norton Priory for this evocative and immersive Halloween season performance with a difference.

The poems and works of literary legend and gothic American writer Edgar Allen Poe are brought to life by VML theatre in the atmospheric setting of the Norton Priory Undercroft.

The company will perform a selection of excerpts from Poe’s most well known and classic poems and stories such as The Pit and The Pendulum, The Raven, The Tell Tale Heart and Masque of the Red Death.

The performance starts at 7pm with an interval of 20 minutes. Refreshments will be available during this time.

Martha Tilston

With a pure silken voice and lyrics that inspire and captivate, Martha Tilston has gained a large and loyal following. She has performed on some of the world’s most prestigious stages, released several critically acclaimed albums, gained a nomination for BBC best newcomer, appeared as a guest vocalist for Zero 7, toured internationally and worked with some of the world’s most inspiring performers. The past few years have seen Martha venture into the world of film making. She recently released her first feature film, The Tape, which is garnering much praise and excitement.

With her long-time collaborators and musicians Matt Tweed and Matt Kelly, she entwines raw vocals, sparkling melodies and thought-provoking lyrics with filmic movements and earthy baselines. To see them live is to connect with longed-for parts of ourselves…

Nadia Reid

Nadia Reid’s Enter Now Brightness is an album of departure and questioning, a reminder that songwriting can transform pain, joy, thoughts, and anger into something new. “I’m so much better off now that it exists,” she says. “Now feels like a new time.”

Moving further from her folk roots, Reid establishes a sound distinctly her own—poised and expansive. The title, drawn from a book passage, evokes light breaking through, the feeling of stepping onto a stage, of life beginning.

A record of great beauty and change, Enter Now Brightness captures Reid’s evolution, blending textural pop, country-leaning folk-rock, and striking emotional depth. The Guardian describes her sound as “halfway between Haim’s sophisticated pop sparkle and Sharon Van Etten’s full-throated songcraft.”

With support from Kevin Fowley

Chris Wood

Reflections on minor league football, empty nest syndrome, learning to swim, Cook-in Sauce and of course, the Gecko as a metaphor for contemporary society! 

Tom Robinson and Chris Difford are fans while Stick In The Wheel and The Unthanks look to him as an influence. In a world of soundbites and distractions Chris Wood is a truth seeker. His writing is permeated with love and wry intelligence, uplifting and challenging as he celebrates the sheer one-thing-after-anotherness of life.

Winner of 6 BBC Folk Awards, he’s played with The Royal Shakespeare Company and was a key member of The Imagined Village along with Billy Bragg, Martin and Eliza Carthy. A wise and soulful craftsman, his concerts are a cliche free zone.

Dr Orange

Liverpool rising star Dr Orange made a bold entrance with his debut album, Late Night with Dr Orange, in 2024. Featuring stand-out tracks ‘I Found You, ’17’ and ‘Hey Baby’, the album amassed over 100,000 Spotify streams and received high praise from the likes of Def Leppard’s Rick Savage, who called it “brilliant”, and The Zutons’ Dave McCabe, who described the work as “lonely and frustrated man pop at its finest”.

Following a run of sold-out shows at The Cavern Club and The Jacaranda, plus a short UK tour, Dr Orange kicked off 2025 with a triumphant headline performance at Kazimier Stockroom in March – setting the stage for a breakthrough year. 

Dr Orange’s highly anticipated follow up EP, Dr Orange & Friends, is set for release in September 2025.

 

Please note that this is a standing event – If you have any access needs, please contact the Box Office on 0151 709 3789.