Ruby doesn’t think she has a problem, Maggie’s almost six months into recovery, then there’s Callum…
Family, friendship and booze
Drinking to remember
And drinking to forget
Written and directed by Helen Jeffery, this new piece dives deep into the drinking culture of contemporary Britain as it asks the question: How do you navigate sobriety in a world that revolves around drink?
There will be a Q&A after the show on Fri 22 March. The Q&A will be held in the Studio and will last 45mins max.
Welcome to Auntie’s Roadshow, an interactive multi-media show that will take you on a journey through lost BBC archives to reflect on the progress of women’s rights from the 1960s to the present day.
Hosted by the enthusiastic Auntie, the show celebrates women who went against the grain of society’s expectations, exploring the experience of 1960s societal change using actual documentary footage, satirical dramatisations of archive material and personal reflections from women representing different generations, cultural backgrounds, and experiences.
Alongside Auntie you’ll meet a group of feisty women from the 1960s, a troupe of modern-day actors performing a host of humorous sketches, and a couple of researchers ready to bring some historical perspective and a touch of healthy cynicism to proceedings. There will also be opportunities for you to share your own experiences and responses to the material.
The performance builds on research and development initially undertaken in 2022, when the BBC celebrated its centenary year. Collective Encounters was invited to work with Dr Marcus Collins, AHRC BBC 100 History Fellow and Reader in Contemporary History at Loughborough University, and Dramaturg Dr Alda Terracciano, on a project entitled ‘The BBC and Cultural Change since the 1960s’. The project involved adapting transcripts from ‘lost’ BBC documentaries from the 1960s and transforming them into a new performance piece.
Following a successful work-in-progress performance, the team has developed this new full-length multimedia performance focusing on four key programmes from the BBC archives to explore themes surrounding gender roles and expectations within the home, in relationships, and in the workplace. The show incorporates archive material from:
• The BBC Homemaker Competition (1960-61), a televised contest open to married or widowed women that aimed to promote understanding about the qualities that make a good home-maker
• Woman’s Hour: Dropping in at a Meeting of the Family Planning Association (20.10.60), which covers topics such as the dangers of giving contraceptive advice to ‘unmarried girls’ and whether Doctors should encourage ‘less intelligent’ people to have fewer children.
• Man Alive: Living in Sin (2.3.66) interviews with couples who had decided not to have their relationship blessed or formalised by religion or state.
• 24 Hours: Equal Pay for Women (5.9.68) reporting on attitudes from men and women in industry towards proposed legislation that would bring women’s pay in line with men’s
AUNTIE is devised and performed by Collective Encounters’ intergenerational Women in Action group with creative support from theatre director Tessa Buddle, writer Mandy Redvers-Rowe, and digital creatives/designers Focal Studios.
Access
The performance includes integrated captioning and audio description.
BSL interpreted performance: Saturday 9 March, 5pm.
Bookable touch tour: Saturday 9 March, 12pm. Email admin@collective-encounters.org.uk to book.
The venue has step-free access.
If you require a ticket for a carer/ essential companion, please include a note on your order or email: admin@collective-encounters.org.uk
If you have any questions about access or any other requirements, please let them know when you book.
If you are unable to pay or you wish to arrange a group booking, please email admin@collective-encounters.org.uk or call 0151 345 6266.
The Tiger Who Came to Tea is a short children’s story, first published in 1968, written and illustrated by Judith Kerr.
The book concerns a girl called Sophie, her mother, and an anthropomorphised tiger who invites himself to their afternoon tea and consumes all the food and drink they have.
The book remains extremely popular more than 50 years after it was first published, and a theatrical adaptation of the story is being staged by St Helens Theatre Royal.
Headlining the Cockpit Stage this summer, the brilliantly bold Not Too Tame return with an electrifying production of Twelfth Night, starring Les Dennis as Malvolio.
The company that brought you ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ return with their unique brand of high octane theatre in a hilarious yet heart-breaking tale of unrequited love.
Inspired by the world of the music industry, Not Too Tame are turning it up to 11 for their production of ‘Twelfth Night or What You Will’. Shakespeare’s comedy of mistaken identities gets an injection of riffs, ruffs and riotous partying.
Directed by Jimmy Fairhurst (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Palace of Varieties).
Dead Guilty is a Murder Mystery production by the SDC
A tense psychological study of guilt and obsession by the author of The Business of Murder, Dead Guilty concerns an attractive young graphic artist whose leg is badly injured in a car crash that occurred when a business associate suffered a fatal heart attack at the wheel.
There is also an additional matinee show 13 April, 2.30pm.
Written by David Haig, based on true events that took place during World War II. It centres on the true story of James Stagg and the weather forecasts that determined the date of the D-Day landings as part of Operation Overlord.
The personal and military stresses of Stagg, the tensions between the teams with different weather forecasts for the date of the proposed D-Day, and the events of the 72 hours leading up to D-Day are explored throughout the play
The UK’s biggest and best live murder trial show, Murder Trial Tonight, returns to Liverpool on Sat 23rd and Sun 24th March 2024.
The immersive theatre experience is coming to the M&S Bank Arena for its second season and a new case following a sell out debut tour and glowing 5 star reviews from the West End and countless critics.
The fascinating concept invites the audience to become the jury in a live murder trial based on true events — watching the trial unfold on stage before submitting your verdict of guilty or not guilty at the end of the show.
Lauded by critics and audiences far and wide, Murder Trial Tonight is a gripping and dramatic showcase like no other.
That’ll Be The Day is back on the road with another incredible show packed full of world class performances from Trevor and the highly talented ensemble cast.
Let the world’s leading Rock ’n‘ Roll show take you on a journey through the years, as together you celebrate the most iconic moments in Comedy, Rock ’n’ Roll and Pop Culture from the 50s right the way through to the 80s.
Combining uproarious comedy sketches and impersonations with breathtaking vocals and dazzling musicianship, That’ll Be The Day truly is in a league of its own. It’s no wonder this show has been touring solidly for over 35 years and it just gets better and better! Join Trevor and the stellar cast for the ultimate feel-good experience that will have you singing and dancing, and leave you wanting just a little bit more!
If you only see one theatre show this year, make it this one.
TomCainTheatre and Bill Elms Productions proudly presents 97+, Friday, 12th April 2024 at the Liverpool Olympia.
10/10 Perfect. Possibly the most powerful theatre show I’ve ever seen’ Writebase Liverpool Theatre Festival.
97+ is a new theatrical drama based on the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster where severe injuries led to 97 lives lost. Written and directed by Tom Cain, the new full length version of 97+ makes its debut at the Liverpool Olympia for one-night only, following its huge success and critical acclaim at Liverpool Theatre Festival and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Set in 2012, Hillsborough survivors John and Steve each deal with the trauma they suffered as young boys, now as middle-aged men. John bottles up his emotions and only exposes them to his wife, Liz, as he regularly suffers from night terrors but avoids seeking treatment from the doctors. As opposed to Steve, who lives alone but seeks help from the hospital or the vodka bottle as his only support mechanisms. Despite countless setbacks, the Hillsborough survivors continue their fight for justice.’
97+ is written in collaboration with the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance (H.S.A). At the end of each performance there is a donation bucket for those wishing to donate to this charity. Money raised goes towards funding Hillsborough Transformational Recovery Model, a therapy designed to help survivors overcome their trauma.
97+ aims to educate audiences on the truth of Hillsborough and raise awareness for survivors still suffering from their trauma.
JFT97 YNWA
Direct from the West End and having sold out venues worldwide, Seven Drunken Nights: The Story of the Dubliners returns to The Atkinson in 2024.
In partnership with Tourism Ireland and in association with legendary Irish pub O’Donoghue’s, Seven Drunken Nights tells the story of a career spanning 50 years and invokes the spirit of Ronnie Drew, Luke Kelly, Barney McKenna, John Sheahan, Ciaran Bourke and Jim McCann.
This hugely talented cast of musicians and singers bring the music of this iconic group back to life and will have you singing and dancing in the aisles.
It is without doubt the ultimate feel good Irish show.