The Rise Up Rebel Writers Night

 

Capoeira For All presents Rise Up Rebel, a new affinity project for black, brown, and global ethnic majority (GEM) young people, between the ages of 16 and 25, living in Liverpool which aims to use the power of story to empower, educate and inspire a new generation of black and gem writers.  

Join us for an evening of original work created by the Rise Up Rebel writers, six emerging voices sharing their raw, fearless, and imaginative pieces that span genres from dystopian sci-fi and comedy, to deeply personal accounts of resilience, identity, and healing, all performed live in The Studio at Liverpool’s Royal Court.    

Featuring work by:   

Eli Yim – a 21 year old Korean-British actor-musician who will blend pop, musical theatre and stand-up to tell their own story of their journey to A&E during a mental health crisis, taken from their autobiographical show ‘The Easy Way Out’.   

Jasmin Leila Haid – a 25 year old writer from Toxteth, whose gentle but powerful piece centres on a blocked artist in a quiet café confronting her younger self, and rediscovering the courage to create in a world that demands perfection.  

Leilani Estwick – an 18 year old writer and lover of fantasy, sci-fi and mystery. Inspired by films and books, Leilani’s epic sci-fi story follows a young girl who uncovers a secret that could save (or end) an entire universe.  

Luke Sookdeo – a 26 year old actor/theatre maker from Birmingham with a drive to share untold queer, working class stories. After researching the UK’s dark history with gay aversion therapy, Luke was inspired to write ‘Straight Jacket’ – a gripping drama that tells the story of Dexter, who’s haunted by his past and seeks revenge on the man who tortured him.

Tomas Birdie – a 27 year old aspiring actor, writer, musician, visual artist and Capoeirista, whose dystopian tale ‘Transmission’ follows a crew of misfits trapped in a failed experiment to reach a parallel universe.  

Tyler – a 17 year old writer and poet who draws inspiration to write from the honesty of everyday life and storytelling, and enjoys exploring stories of the mind.   Please note some performances include strong themes, including suicide, religious trauma, and transphobia.  

 

 

I Am Steven Gerrard at The Epstein Theatre

‘I know that it does sound weird to say, yeah? But I proper envy Steven Gerrard. You know, the football player?’

It’s Liverpool. The Champion’s League Final in Istanbul was 13 years ago. The buzz is still rife. The obsession is still real. Steven Gerrard has left Liverpool Football Club, but his legacy keeps on growing; a legacy that Shane wants to embody and emulate. Though Shane shares an ambition no different to many of those around him, it soon transpires that he yearns for something far beyond football. And in a city where ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is the mantra, why does Shane constantly feel like he’s the only one on the sideline?

Shane is back home to see his dad for the first time in three years. To heal old wounds. To attempt to find his place in a world that he has never felt a part of. To get answers. What secrets will come to light? And who will they come from? Could these revelations have saved everyone from heartache?

Following sell-out runs at The Hope Street Theatre and Liverpool’s Royal Court, Tip Tray Theatre presents I Am Steven Gerrard, a story of football, aspiration, music, Steven Gerrard, loneliness, reality television, love, religion, friends, loss, passion, enemies, Davina McCall, politics, ambition, family, virginity, past generations – and the impact they leave behind. 

Written by Sean McLoughlin, directed by Amy Roberts and starring Joe Cowin, it explores the complexities of masculinity, and what it means to be a real man in society today.

It has nothing to do with football. It has everything to do with football.

 

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts

A chilling mystery unfolds when a young actress suddenly dies on stage during a performance, and Detective Chief Inspector Morse embarks on a gripping investigation…

What begins as a suspicious death inquiry takes a darker turn when the legendary inspector, together with DS Lewis, uncovers a connection to sinister events in his own past, twenty-five years earlier.

Inspector Morse: House of Ghosts marks the first-ever stage adaptation of the iconic detective. ITV’s long-running Inspector Morse, hailed by Radio Times as ‘The greatest British crime series of all time’, has inspired equally beloved spin-offs, Lewis and Endeavour. Starring Tom Chambers (Father BrownStrictly Come Dancing) as Inspector Morse, this original story written for the stage is a must-see for fans of compelling detective stories and thrilling mysteries.

inspectormorseonstage.com

Something About George

“All Things Must Pass”, they say. Well, George Harrison’s name will live on forever.

Something About George – The George Harrison Story, the musical biopic tribute about the so-called “quiet” Beatle is back following a hugely successful 2024 UK and Ireland tour.

From the creators of Something About Simon – The Paul Simon Story, comes a show that answers the question “where does life take you after being in the greatest band in the history of the world?”

Starring West End actor and musician Daniel TaylorSomething About George – The George Harrison Story tells the truly remarkable tale of one of music’s most understated icons.

Featuring a five-piece band performing beautiful songs such as “My Sweet Lord”, “Something”, “Got My Mind Set On You” and “Handle With Care”, the show includes incredible solo material and music from rock n’ roll’s greatest supergroup, The Travelling Wilburys – not forgetting more than a few Beatles’ classics along the way. From heartbreak to hedonism and song writing to instant success, Something About George will show you a life that was anything but quiet.

I Will Greatly Rejoice

A joint choral concert with a Norwegian Choir from Oslo Abildso Bygdekor with a mixture of Norwegian compositions and renaissance music from William Byrd and Victoria with Liverpool Renaissance Singers. It is at Liverpool Parish Church Our Lady and St Nicholas Old Churchyard off Chapel Street fronting the Strand and opposite the Liver Building at 7.30pm in 31.5.2025 doors open 7pm. Tickets £12 for all in sale on the door by cash or card or online from Ticketsource using this link:

https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/liverpool-renaissance-singers/t-lnlqmpn

More details available on the choir website:

www.liverpoolrenaissancesungers.org

Workers Playtime

A Drama Project celebrating the Workers Theatre Movement of the 1920s and 30s will come to an end this weekend at the Hope Street Theatre.

The finale shows will feature 3 Living Newspapers created by local writers, directors and actors as well as a play, “Unity”, by local writer Tom Mclennan.

One of the featured Living Newspapers has already won the Richard Wainwright Award at the Leverhulme Drama Festival and will be performed on the Saturday.

The Workers Theatre Movement delighted in creative styles and techniques which brought a welcome change from much of the stuffy theatre of its day and went on to influence many modern theatre organisations including Unity Theatre.

Eddie Izzard – Hamlet

DIRECT FROM HER CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED, TRIPLE-EXTENDED NEW YORK, CHICAGO AND LONDON SOLO PERFORMANCES OF SHAKESPEARE’S ‘HAMLET’.

Nominated for New York’s: Drama League’s Distinguished Performance Award and Outer Critic’s Circle Outstanding Solo Performance Award.

“Eddie Izzard’s Hamlet is spectacular.” Dame Judi Dench

Akin to the original performances of HAMLET, Eddie will perform on the blank canvas of a bare stage, letting Shakespeare’s words and pure storytelling take the spotlight.

Adapted by Mark Izzard and directed by Selina Cadell

YEP: The Snow Dragons

This adventure is more than a story

Deep in the woods, the trees are whispering. Beneath their branches, thrilling stories are being told.

For eight young friends with big imaginations, the woods are where excitement and adventure play out. Day after day they invent stories about giants and dragons, sword fights and vengeance. But today, things are different. An army is coming – not a play army, but a real one – and the soldiers have the kids’ homes in their sights.

In this moment of terrible danger, can these friends become the heroes they always imagined they could be?

Packed with magical songs and exhilarating live music, The Snow Dragons is what happens when fairytales turn dark – when childhood games and the grown-up world collide. Filling the Everyman with fun and invention, laughter and tears, our YEP young people bring this fast-moving musical adventure bursting into brilliant life.

A musical by Lizzie Nunnery and Vidar Norheim

9 Things To Do In May Half Term In Liverpool and The City Region

Big Art WAG 050722 0003

Looking for ways to keep the kids entertained this May half term in Liverpool? Whether you’re staying local or heading into the city for a day out, there’s a packed programme of free and low-cost family events happening across Liverpool and the wider region. From musical mornings and interactive theatre to hands-on science shows and crafty workshops, there’s something to spark every imagination. Here’s our top pick of activities that promise fun, creativity and adventure for children of all ages – without breaking the bank.

1. Mini Maestros, Everyman Theatre Cafe (17 May – 28 June)

Mini Maestros Everyman Theatre Liverpool

Mini Maestros is an excellent music session for 0-5s on Saturday mornings. The session is an interactive, multi-sensory music workshop for children and their grown-ups.

With percussion, signing and dance, the sessions present an engaging platform for children to explore sound and song whilst learning and having fun! Head along on Saturday mornings and join them making music at the Everyman Theatre Cafe.

Mini Maestros is run by RISE Music Education CIC, a local collective of professional musicians working to deliver engaging creative arts projects in the community.

2. Fowl Play – May Half Term Workshops, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North (24 May – 4 June)

Fowl Play half term activities Tate Liverpool 2025

Swoop into Tate Liverpool’s Learning Space this half term holiday for free Fowl Play avian art activities!

Flock together for crafty family fun, constructing multi-coloured replicas of your favourite birds. Play with print stamping blocks and collage to recreate intricate feathered patterns and textures. Using their easy-to-follow templates, make a 3-D model of your bird and dive into their pick ‘n’ mix recycled craft box to add finishing touches to personalise your bird.

There will be a free facilitated workshop on Thursday 29 May from 14.00-16.00 led by artist Colette Whittington.

3. Animal adventures – Little Liverpool special, Museum of Liverpool (27 May)

Little Liverpool Animal Adventures NML
Are you ready to explore the wild world of animals? Welcome to Animal adventures! Join Museum of Liverpool’s animal-themed Little Liverpool special combining a visit to the popular Little Liverpool gallery, with extra animal-themed activities for their younger visitors to enjoy.

Animal adventures takes place on Tuesday mornings at 11.15am and on Sunday afternoons at 2.15pm.

4. Beanstalk! Shakespeare North Playhouse (27 May)

Beanstalk
Beanstalk! is a fantastic tale for kids, big kids and everyone in between! Stuffed with outlandish mischief, magic, music and maybe a bean sprout or two…

Jack is stuck working in his Mum’s greengrocers and all he wants is to go on adventures! When a huge beanstalk starts sprouting between the shelves – maybe the biggest adventure isn’t so far away after all!

A classic slice of family theatre and ideal for a half term visit.

5. Aquarium Behind The Scenes Tour, World Museum (27 / 28 May)

Aquarium Behind The Scenes Tour World Museum
Ever wanted to know what it takes to look after all the amazing animals in the World Museum’s aquarium? Wonder no more! Why not book onto this 20 minute Aquarium Behind The Scenes Guided Tour with one of the museum’s knowledgeable aquarium team members.

You’ll be taken into their back of house facilities to see how they look after the animals in their care. Each tour will have a maximum of 10 visitors and is for years 6+. They also ask for a minimum ratio of 3 children to 1 adult.

6. Big Art special: Art Sparks, Walker Art Gallery (27, 28 and 31 May)

Big Art Special Walker Art Gallery
Spark your creativity and have fun with Walker Art Gallery’s fabulous friendly facilitators in Big Art special: Art Sparks! Big Art is a very special place for young children and their grown ups to discover arty things together.

Explore your creativity as a family with their special facilitated activities and make a marvellous masterpiece to take home. Plus you’ll have some  time to explore Big Art and all the wonderful resources for yourself.

There is a small charge of £2 per child with up to two accompanying adults who can attend free of charge.

7. Garden Cyanotypes: Family Print Session, Bluecoat (28 May)

Bluecoat Garden Cyanotypes Print Session
Join Bluecoat as they explore this photographic printing process in a Family Friendly Print Session. Collect leaves and flowers from their beautiful spring garden to create your prints, or you can bring your own.

A cyanotype is a blue print made by placing an object on paper coated with iron salts. The silhouette of the object is transferred onto the paper as it is exposed to light, and appears after washing the paper in water. Suitable for ages 3+, just drop-in on the day.

8. Pirates Love Underpants, Liverpool Playhouse Theatre (28 – 31 May)

Pirates Love Underpants Liverpool Playhouse
Pirates Love Underpants is based on the beloved book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort. Join their swashbuckling party of pirates on their quest to find the fabled Pants of Gold for the Captain’s Treasure chest!

Dodge hungry crocs beneath Long-John Bridge, bob upon the waves of Big Knickers Bay, spot sharks in fancy underpants and trek across Three Pants Ridge.

Filled with music, puppetry and glittering pants of gold, arrr you ready to set sail for a family adventure?

9. Exciting Science, The Atkinson (30 May)

Exciting Science The Atkinson
This brand new, Exciting Science educational show will amaze and astound all ages from 4 years and upwards, as they put the ‘Exciting’ back into ‘Science’.

With fun and fact filled experiments, watch in amazement as they recreate a volcanic eruption; turn a vacuum cleaner into a missile launcher or take aim at you with their smoke blaster!

So, stand clear and prepare to be amazed!

For even more things to do in Easter half term in Liverpool and the city region check out our What’s On Listings.

Double bill! Any Other Business and Seat of Learning!

 

Join us at The Studio Beyond for a double bill of new writing this May!

Any Other Business by 4th Wall Productions and Seat of oLearning by Four by Four productions are taking to the stage in a fantastic double bill.

Any Other Business: A life – and a committee – in disarray. Will Gerald be able to reconcile looking after his sick mum with his role as treasurer, or will it all come tumbling down? An award winning play, Written/Directed by Ted Grant.

Seat of Learning: A light hearted, engaging look at intergenerational family life with its heartwarming tales of relationships and new ventures. Written by Tony Vale and Directed by Liz Hardy.

Age Advisory: 12+

Trigger Warnings: Occasional sexual innuendo references. Very occasional mild swearing. References/portrayal of dementia.