Event type: Theatre

7:30pm

Forty years after its groundbreaking premiere an iconic piece of British queer theatre returns for a new generation.

For centuries four women pirates have been lying on a wreck at the bottom of the sea.

Grace O’Malley, Aku, Mary Read and Zoa have drifted through time unperturbed by the progress of the modern age. Until 1985 when they were visited by Jenny who took their stories into the 1980’s.

In 2026 Jenny falls through time again and lands on their long-forgotten shipwreck, armed with nothing but a mobile phone and a head full of questions.

Blending history, mythology and contemporary politics with humour, music and. Storytelling “Raising The Wreck – Revisited” is a bold re-imagining of Sue Frumin’s pioneering play. Originally commissioned by Gay Sweatshop Theatre Company the production was one of the first British plays to feature a multi-racial cast of women and to place lesbian stories.

Joelle Taylor, TS Eliot Prize-winning poet described the original production as

“A pioneering piece of unapologetically women’s theatre, loud, vibrant, hilarious and somehow holy”.

Booker Prize winning author Bernardine Evaristo, who appeared in the original cast remembers it as:

“A ground-breaking drama, bringing lesbian lives to the fore”.

Powerful, provocative and unexpectedly joyful, “Raising The Wreck – Revisited” is an unforgettable theatre voyage that celebrates those history tried to erase and asks what stories we choose to carry in to the future.

Alongside the production selected venues will also host creative workshops featuring storytelling, maritime heritage and traditional sea shanties in partnership with local communities.

 

By Sue Frumin

 

Directed by Hannah Tyrrell-Pinder

Designed by Lara Booth

 

 

7:30 & 2pm
It’s December at the station, and the festive cheer is in full swing – carol singers, twinkling lights and excitement in the air. But for Ed, it’s all a bit too much. Ed hates Christmas, but why? 
Step aboard the train as we track Ed’s past, present and future in this RAWD Original Christmas Pantomime.
RAWD has spent over a decade co-creating joyful, inclusive spaces where disabled artists can thrive. RAWD are proudly Associate Company in Residence at Unity hosting weekly sessions that work towards theatre productions.
We believe creativity is a powerful vehicle for independence, confidence, and expression – enabling people to dream bigger, communicate more freely, and take up space that’s rightfully theirs.
To find out more about RAWD visit www.rawdproject.co.uk

7:30pm
Fresh from Unity’s Up Next Fest 2026, ‘Standing on the Shoulders of Giants’ is a semi-autobiographical, one-man show about a boy, his dad, and the enigmatic man trawling the chasm between them.
Told through playful, tender storytelling and expressive movement, the show balances humour and darkness to explore grief, radicalisation and queer inheritance. In the fragile spaces between childhood and adulthood, what blooms?

Created by Isaac Nixon and Angelina Moana.
Performed by Isaac Nixon.
Poster images by Andrew AB.

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Isaac Nixon is a theatre-maker, director, actor and writer whose work blends clowning, folklore, and physical theatre. He also works as an access support worker, drama facilitator, university lecturer and children’s storyteller, performing as ‘Og the Giant’.

Angelina is a performer, theatre maker and founding member of multi award-winning physical comedy company, Ugly Bucket Theatre. Angelina is also a workshop facilitator, specialising in acting, clown and spellcraft and is Co-Director of Bidston Observatory Artistic Research Centre.

‘A Covert Affair’ is a rom-com set in the cold war; two agents are tasked with a mission of seduction and espionage however find themselves in a tightrope of half-truths and hope.

They previously sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 and are now conducting a mini tour before returning to Edinburgh next year

7:30PM

2002. A writer, stranded in snowbound New York City during the build-up to the Gulf war, discovers a novel in a used bookstore bearing the name of his great-uncle, Tommy Kehoe.

His mother, Patty in Liverpool says her uncle Tommy could not have written a book – he was illiterate and traumatised by the First World War. The language in book is not Patty’s uncle.

The investigation by a mother and son begins as they trace Tommy’s movements from The Somme to the Liverpool Blitz and the New York publication of his inexplicable book to reclaim his true voice.

7:30pm

In its anniversary year, Ghost Stories of Christmas past meet chilling tales of Christmas present.

The show that revived a time-honoured tradition, according to the New York Times.

8:00pm
Join us from 6pm in the bar for the Luma Festival launch and exhibition.
Luma Creations’ annual International Festival of Latin American Arts & Cultures, LA FERIA, a celebration of the rich creativity, diversity and cultural heritage of Latin America, brings the award-winning one person play MANUELITA by Popelei.
Manuelita brings to life the remarkable story of Manuela Sáenz, the Ecuadorian revolutionary and trusted partner of Simón Bolívar. A proto-feminist, an underground spy, and one of the driving forces behind South American liberation, Sáenz played a significant role in the struggle for independence. Despite her immense contribution, she died in poverty and was largely forgotten by history books – until now.
Through a compelling blend of storytelling, physical theatre, comedy, movement, and live music, the production explores the passion, courage, resilience, and legacy of a woman who played a pivotal role in Latin America’s fight for independence.
Performed by Tamsin Hurtado Clarke, with live music composed by acclaimed Colombian guitarist Camilo Menjura, Manuelita has captivated audiences internationally and received widespread critical acclaim. Its accolades include the 2013 CASA Festival Bursary, awarded during the development of the production with the support of CASA Festival; the Three Weeks Editors’ Award and recognition as one of the Top 10 Shows at the Edinburgh Festival 2014; and runner-up nominations for LUKAS Theatre Production of the Year in both 2015 and 2016.
Celebrated for its dynamic storytelling, Manuelita connects historical events with contemporary conversations about identity, freedom, social change, and the role of women in shaping history. The production offers audiences a fresh perspective on one of Latin America’s most influential historical figures while highlighting the enduring relevance of her story.
Produced by Popelei, an organisation dedicated to promoting Latin American culture through theatre, festivals, and community engagement, Manuelita offers a unique cultural experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the life of one of history’s most remarkable women and discover a story that continues to inspire generations.
Background to La Feria
Luma Creations’ international festival, LA FERIA brings together acclaimed international and UK based musicians, theatre-makers, dancers and visual artists, for a vibrant programme of performances, workshops, exhibitions and community events.
The festival showcases many diverse voices and stories from Latin America, creating opportunities for cultural exchange and community connections whilst welcoming audiences of all backgrounds to experience the power of Latin American arts and cultures in the heart of Liverpool.