Event type: Theatre

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny at the Unity Theatre

Saddle up for a joy-fuelled, sequin-spattered gender journey of self discovery, as Canal Street Kings founder, trans trailblazer and international cabaret renegade Hunter King presents his debut musical, A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny, ‘maid in the wild, wild, north west’. An award winning, queer parody epic where Disney meets Dolly Parton by way of Manchester’s gay village.
 
Inspired by Hunter’s real-life transition and the transformative power of drag, this foot-stomping, pun-slinging hoedown tells the tale of a milkmaid on a mission to discover their authentic self. After setting off from their small town and thinking they’ve finally found freedom, they meet a mysterious man with a moustache and a secret — and suddenly, self-discovery gets a whole lot hairier.
 
Expect epic musical parodies, dazzling vocals, unashamedly terrible puns, “a scene stealing cow”, and a “hootenanny with heart” (Canal St Online, 2025). Commissioned by Waterside Arts and Creative Industries Trafford.

Don’t Touch My Stuff

Don’t Touch My Stuff at the Unity Theatre

Two siblings. Two bedrooms. Two very different people.

Alice and Isaac are siblings. They’ve always shared a very thin bedroom wall, but as Alice leaves for university, childhood bickering turns into something far more complicated.

First relationships. Questionable life choices. Identity crises at 1am….and somehow growing up together, even while apart

Set entirely between two bedrooms,Don’t Touch My Stuff!Is a relatable, heartfelt comedy that dives headfirst into the chaos of growing up: sexuality, mental health, family expectations (even some Uno and Spag Bol!)

Written and directed by Francesca Hill, and following a five-night London run, this is the North West debut of Don’t Touch My Stuff! featuring a cast of rising graduates from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts.

Expect arguments. Expect secrets. Expect at least one slammed door. You might even text your sibling afterwards (or not!)

Team

– Francesca Hill (Writer/Director/Role of Chloe)

– Esmé White (Role of Alice)

– Tommy Long (Role of Isaac)

– Ella Niblett (Role of Phoebe)

– Lola Miles (Producer)

The Visible Man

The Visible Man at the Unity Theatre

Hollywood’s monster maker is at the end of his life. But his creations won’t let him depart so easily. Embittered from his Hollywood lifestyle, James Whale confronts the flawed, grotesque creatures that he brought to life in an effort to tell one last incredible story; his own.

Based upon the true story, ArtsGroupie examines class and LGBTQ+ identity whilst celebrating the life of Universal monster movie director James Whale, an artist that defined horror cinema. An intimate performance from John Maguire (‘A Portrait of William Roscoe’). Written and directed by David Griffiths (‘The Hammer and Helena’)

Pat the Painting Pig

Pat the Painting Pig at the Unity Theatre

In the heart of Wiley Wood lives a tremendous artist known as Pat the Painting Pig. His paintings are so magnificent that his talents start to bring unwanted fame and attention from the other animals. Pat finds all of this very distracting and so he hatches a plan to be able to work in peace once again. Just how far will he go to be left alone? And at what cost?

Join Pat and a host of other woodland creatures in this charming exploration of friendship, community and artistic talent. Pat the Painting Pig is a brand new play featuring set and props made at Bridge Inn Community Farm, and original music and songs. This pig-tastic adventure will have the entire family clapping along and oinking with laughter.

Written by Ed Bixter

Directed by Suzy Walker

Original Music by Sonic Mutiny

Produced by Gambolling Arena and Sonic Mutiny

Pat the Painting Pig | Workshop

Pat the Painting Pig | Workshop at the Unity Theatre

WORKSHOP 1:

5-8yrs old | 10:00 – 11:15

Workshop will begin with a short introduction of the story PAT THE PAINTING PIG and the actors will explore the characters of the animals and their sounds and develop a soundscape and finish with hands on session designing and creating flowers for the set

WORKSHOP 2:

9-11yrs old | 11.30 – 13:00

Workshop session will start with some ice-breaker exercises and a synopsis of the play followed by vocal warm-ups focusing on the animal characters and a collaborative workshop to create pieces for the set