Murder Under the Spotlight! A Christmas Murder Mystery
DBY Interactive and The Atkinson proudly present a brand new crime solving show in Southport. Brush off your best suit and bring your feather boa!
It’s Christmas, 1928. You are exclusively invited to the star-studded festive celebration of one of Chicago’s prestigious film studios. No expense has been spared right down to the finest bootleg liquor around. But behind the studio’s reputable name are reports of connections to some of the city’s not so high standing. There is even links to the mob scandal sweeping the city. Word is that along with Chicago’s finest on the guest list both from screen and stage…there could be some uninvited guests.
But you can’t always believe what you read in the papers, right?
Dress to impress on the red carpet and join DBY Interactive to discover the source to the studio’s success and a dark secret, that if revealed publicly could shine a spotlight on some horrifying truths and even push someone to do something unthinkable…!
Show type and themes: Mature, period (1920s), glamourous, speakeasy, gangsters, prohibition, crime solving, murder mystery.
Audiences are encouraged to dress to impress.
Due to some references this performance is suitable for ages 12+.
Celebrate 100 years of comedy with a brand new production of Neil Brand’s Evening with Laurel & Hardy 2026 Centenary Tour.
In 1926 Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy signed separate contracts with Hollywood film mogul Hal Roach. They appeared together for the first time in a film titled ’45 Minutes from Hollywood’. The following year they would become an official comedy partnership that would set the whole world rocking with laughter. Nobody could have predicted that this unlikely Anglo/American comedy duo would become global icons in over 130 countries around the world.
Neil Brand has established himself as the foremost exponent of silent film and improvised piano accompaniment. In this new production he will uncover gems of hilarity from the duo whose comedy never ages, and bring them to jaw-dropping life with the demanding live piano improvisations for which he is so famous.
The show features new restorations of Laurel & Hardy’s silent films, some of their lesser-known comedies and extended scenes from the best of their silent comedies, particularly ‘You’re Darn Tootin’, ‘The Finishing Touch’ and ‘The Second Hundred Years’.
Neil’s concerts have become a hit with audiences, thanks to his personal connection with the crowd and his unique insights into Laurel & Hardy and the early days of the cinema industry. His engaging, easygoing style, combined with a lively Q&A session and a post-show ‘Meet & Greet’, makes for an evening that’s as informative as it is entertaining.
Currently working on a television documentary and a new book about ‘The Boys’, Neil is once again excited to share his knowledge and passion with audiences across the country, celebrating the remarkable legacy of comedy legends Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy.
Be Our Guest This Christmas at The Atkinson!
Get ready for a magical journey full of festive cheer as Beauty and the Beast takes centre stage in The Atkinson’s most enchanting pantomime yet!
Step into a sparkling winter wonderland as the timeless tale of love and transformation unfolds before your eyes. From the hitmakers behind ‘Sleeping Beauty’ (2024) and ‘Jack & the Beanstalk’ (2023), KD Theatre Productions return with another spectacular show guaranteed to delight all ages. Oh, yes it will!
This charming adventure is packed with laughter, song and dance as the much-loved fairy tale comes to life on stage. When a vain and selfish Prince is cursed to live as a fearsome Beast, his only hope is to find true love before the final rose petal falls. But who could ever love a Beast? Will Belle be the one to break the curse and save the day?
This sparkling production promises everything you love about The Atkinson pantomime – dazzling costumes, hilarious comedy, live music and a few hairy surprises along the way… This is a show bursting with personality, charm and panto magic from start to finish. With heartwarming romance, jaw-dropping sets and plenty of audience participation, Beauty and the Beast is the perfect present for the whole family.
Don’t miss this magical Christmas pantomime at The Atkinson, Southport. Book now and make Beauty and the Beast your favourite festive tradition of 2025!
Running time approximately 2 hours including interval.
Based on the beloved book by Claire Freedman and Ben Cort.
These pirates SO love underpants!
Join our 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?
Pirates Love Underpants is suitable for children aged 1+.
Running time 50 minutes.
Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians
We all want to meet people from history! The trouble is everyone is dead!
So it’s time to prepare for Horrible Histories live on stage with the acclaimed production of Gorgeous Georgians and Vile Victorians!
Are you ready to swing with a Georgian king? Can you see eye to eye with Admiral Nelson? Does the Duke of Wellington get the boot? Dare you dance the Tyburn jig? Will you be saved by Florence Nightingale? Find out what a baby farmer did and move to the groove with party Queen Victoria!
Don’t miss this horrible history of Britain with the nasty bits left in!
Running time approx 65 minutes. Age 5+.
The musical biopic tribute about the so-called “quiet” Beatle is back following a hugely successful 2024 UK and Ireland tour.
“All Things Must Pass”, they say. Well, George Harrison’s name will live on forever. 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 Taylor, Something 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.
What the press said…
“Something about George is a show that will be around in the years to come.” – Wirral Globe ★★★★??
“All songs were performed superbly pitch perfect, giving a moving and entirely beautiful tribute.” – The Broken Spine ★★★★??
“I loved everything about this show, thank You for giving us such a brilliant night of non-stop entertainment.” – Fairy Powered ★★★★★
Five birthdays. Two unhappy marriages. One possessive mother.
It is 1976. Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown. Marjorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault. Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm, preoccupied by frustrations of her own.
Set in a suburban garage and garden over four successive birthdays beginning in February and ending the following January, playwright Alan Ayckbourn masterfully evokes a world of hidden tensions and suppressed hostility. In perhaps his most emotionally charged play, Ayckbourn skilfully navigates the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, guiding us towards a hilarious, yet chilling finale.
An Olivier and Tony Award winning playwright, Alan Ayckbourn’s ninety plays have been produced worldwide. Notable successes include: The Norman Conquests, Relatively Speaking, Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval and Communicating Doors.
Following successful tours of Absent Friends (2015) and Absurd Person Singular (2020-21), Alan Ayckbourn’s 1976 masterclass in suburban comedy and heartbreak will form the centrepiece of London Classic Theatre’s 25th Anniversary celebrations.
Age 14+
Kerry Ellis is the Queen of the West End.
From My Fair Lady to We Will Rock You, from Les Miserables to Wicked, in both the West End and on Broadway, she has starred in musical theatre’s biggest roles, making shows her own and earning her numerous awards. Her list of credits is remarkable and also includes Oliver!, Cats, Miss Saigon, Chess, The War Of The Worlds, and Anything Goes, among many others. She has recorded 4 studio albums, and toured the world both as a solo artist and with her good friend Sir Brian May. And now the star who grew up admiring musical theatre icons Liza Minnelli and Barbra Streisand is looking back on her illustrious career.
Singing songs from the biggest musicals and telling stories about how she came to play roles, this is a unique opportunity to see and hear the West End’s biggest hits in a very intimate setting on a tour of the UK. Don’t miss it.
VIP Meet’n’Greet packages available.
Put on your safari hats and get ready for some ranger danger and roarsome routines! There’s a baby Ankylosaurus lost in the forest who needs your help and you must find her before the Evil Zookeeper Scientist does…
Flapping frills and dino thrills await as we set off on the ultimate wild rescue mission with state-of-the-art walking dinosaurs, some of which have never been seen on a stage before. You’ll encounter Freya the dancing Raptor, Dylan the Dilophosaurus, Angie the Ankylosaurus, Scar the Spinosaurus and Bruce the mighty T-Rex.
With a captivating story, interactive activities throughout and an immersive finale that will bring the house down, Dino Tales is an unforgettable fun-filled family adventure starring Europe’s largest walking dinosaurs to ever roam the stage. You and the kids will be jumping for Jurassic joy after this pre-historic party, so get ready for the ultimate Jurassic rescue adventure.
Experience the magical tale of redemption this Christmas for yourself with the multi award-winning A Place For Us Theatre. Join Scrooge as he is visited by the three ghosts in this exciting, hour-long adaptation.
With just the right amount of spooky chills, and plenty of festive magic, this is the perfect way to celebrate the season.
Charles Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’ Thursday 18th, Friday 19th and Saturday 20th December 2025 Performances at 6:00pm and 7:45pm Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, Runcorn Cheshire
