Event type: Theatre

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth

Award-winning theatre company, Rubbish Shakespeare Company are joining forces with Silly History Boys to proudly present the first UK Tour of The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth – a hilarious hour of high-octane adventure, told through their distinctive fusion of clowning, silly storytelling, physical comedy and live music, comes to Liverpool this April.

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth is an immersive, all-ages family show, where two larger-than-life history professors and a live musician make new myths from children’s ideas. Audiences will be led through a triptych of tales: the origin of the place they live; the creation myth of a donated item; and a hero’s journey – where an audience member will prove themselves a legend.

So… who is the God of dog poo bags? What ancient crime was Marmite the punishment for… and why was it inflicted upon us? Will it be Greek? Viking? Ancient Babylonian? They haven’t a clue! This silly iliad – or silliad, if you will – is completely unique every single time it’s performed, as three new myths are forged from the unhinged minds of the audience – and a boatload of cardboard props!

‘Horrible Histories on Steroids’ ★★★★★ The Reviews Hub

This hysterical production is a true masterclass in clowning, jam packed full of silly songs, daft gags and belly laughs; whether you’re 6 or 106, you’d be mad to myth it!

‘An hour of non-stop, high-energy enchantment… A rare and genuine delight’ ★★★★Deborah Cho, The List

The Rubbish Shakespeare Company production team are adept at transposing classic stories for a young audience – their last tour of Romeo and Juliet saw them appear at many notable venues including The Pleasance in Edinburgh, and show runs were extended at both Leeds Playhouse and London’s West End, garnering great reviews and audience feedback.

‘One of the best productions of Romeo and Juliet this reviewer has ever seen – and one I haven’t stopped talking about’ ★★★★ Broadway World

Produced to chime with Rubbish Shakespeare Company’s mission of ‘Theatre for All’, this ‘choose your own adventure tale’ was developed in response to a lack of new stories for children. Using a flexible scripted framework, each show will reflect the local community, as stories are drawn from their imaginations and experiences.

While the storyline is inspired by the ancient classics – giving audiences a recognisable starting point – each show allows children to make original stories, whilst also providing a first time performance experience for many young people.

“It’s been a blast! Sharing the stage with these amazing children is incredible, you really see them light up and come alive. As a performer, this has been one of the most fun and rewarding shows I’ve ever been a part of. Honestly, the kids steal the show every time, and we wouldn’t have it any other way! They’re the real stars, not us. You really see how naturally storytelling comes to kids. We created The Story Forge largely because children just aren’t being exposed to enough new stories. That New National Literacy Trust study really hit home – only 35% of 8–18-year-olds actually read for pleasure? That’s crazy! We think a big reason is the lack of fresh, original stories out there for them. So we’re doing our bit to change that by creating three brand new stories every show!” Lee Hithersay – Artistic Director of Rubbish Shakespeare Co.

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth

Hilarious family-friendly show invites Liverpool to ‘Make Your Own Myth’.

Award-winning theatre company, Rubbish Shakespeare Company are joining forces with Silly History Boys to proudly present the first UK Tour of The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth – a hilarious hour of high-octane adventure, told through their distinctive fusion of clowning, silly storytelling, physical comedy and live music, comes to Liverpool this April.

The Story Forge: Make Your Own Myth is an immersive, all-ages family show, where two larger-than-life history professors and a live musician make new myths from children’s ideas. Audiences will be led through a triptych of tales: the origin of the place they live; the creation myth of a donated item; and a hero’s journey – where an audience member will prove themselves a legend.

So… who is the God of dog poo bags? What ancient crime was Marmite the punishment for… and why was it inflicted upon us? Will it be Greek? Viking? Ancient Babylonian? They haven’t a clue! This silly iliad – or silliad, if you will – is completely unique every single time it’s performed, as three new myths are forged from the unhinged minds of the audience – and a boatload of cardboard props!

‘Horrible Histories on Steroids’ ★★★★★ The Reviews Hub

This hysterical production is a true masterclass in clowning, jam packed full of silly songs, daft gags and belly laughs; whether you’re 6 or 106, you’d be mad to myth it!

‘An hour of non-stop, high-energy enchantment… A rare and genuine delight’ ★★★★ Deborah Cho, The List

The Rubbish Shakespeare Company production team are adept at transposing classic stories for a young audience – their last tour of Romeo and Juliet saw them appear at many notable venues including The Pleasance in Edinburgh, and show runs were extended at both Leeds Playhouse and London’s West End, garnering great reviews and audience feedback.

‘One of the best productions of Romeo and Juliet this reviewer has ever seen – and one I haven’t stopped talking about’ ★★★★ Broadway World

Produced to chime with Rubbish Shakespeare Company’s mission of ‘Theatre for All’, this ‘choose your own adventure tale’ was developed in response to a lack of new stories for children. Using a flexible scripted framework, each show will reflect the local community, as stories are drawn from their imaginations and experiences.

While the storyline is inspired by the ancient classics – giving audiences a recognisable starting point – each show allows children to make original stories, whilst also providing a first time performance experience for many young people.

“It’s been a blast! Sharing the stage with these amazing children is incredible, you really see them light up and come alive. As a performer, this has been one of the most fun and rewarding shows I’ve ever been a part of. Honestly, the kids steal the show every time, and we wouldn’t have it any other way!

They’re the real stars, not us. You really see how naturally storytelling comes to kids. We created The Story Forge largely because children just aren’t being exposed to enough new stories. That New National Literacy Trust study really hit home – only 35% of 8–18-year-olds actually read for pleasure? That’s crazy! We think a big reason is the lack of fresh, original stories out there for them. So we’re doing our bit to change that by creating three brand new stories every show!” Lee Hithersay – Artistic Director of Rubbish Shakespeare Co.

Extremis

The UK premiere of a new play by award-winning playwright Ian Moore

A world on the brink of extinction where human resilience collides with moral complexity, loyalty is tested, and the boundaries of courage blur.

A gripping tale of survival, sacrifice, and the raw essence of what it means to face the ultimate choice.
Will hope prevail, or will darkness reign?

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‘A superb exploration of the human condition’
‘… a playwright worth watching… quality acting, engaging and extremely plausible’

When Another Dragon Roars

Mum and Alfie are going camping – to get away from everything.

To have some quality time together. Alfie finds it hard to talk about his feelings. His Mum does too. They share stories about Dragons! Scary ones, sulky ones, even angry ones – and they discover that their emotions, just like Dragons, are tricky beasts. Sometimes they need to be tamed, and sometimes, they need to be released.

When Another Dragon Roars Fuses Altered Scale Theatre’s outstanding puppetry with Petite Ullaloom’s distinctive storytelling, promising a memorable experience for children and adults alike. It’s a story of a mum and boy learning emotional resilience and how stories help us figure out a complicated world.

Directed by Kevin Dyer
Devised by Lucy Fiori and Austin Mitchel-Hewitt
Age Guide: 5 + and family groups

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe

Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as the West End smash-hit production of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe comes to the Liverpool Empire in February 2025.

Step through the wardrobe into the magic kingdom of Narnia where a world of wonder awaits. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they meet new friends, face dangerous foes and learn the lessons of courage, sacrifice, and the power of love.

Celebrating the 75th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’s classic novel, watch The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe come to life in this spectacular production—a delight for all ages.

Matinee (2pm – 4.15pm) and evening performances (7pm – 9.15pm).

Raven

A moving new play from Abi McKenzie.

Eris is hosting a party that never ends. As the boundaries between reality and illusion blur, she begins to face the devastating consequences of her choices. A moving new play from Abi McKenzie with puppetry, movement and underscored with live cello.

Friday’s show will include a curtain raiser performance from Collective Encounters’ Women in Action group who have been taking part in workshops exploring the themes of Raven.

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Supported by Arts Council England.

The Peaceful Hour

Kirkby, 1985. When it comes to relationships, Julie has had more misses than hits. She just wants someone to love and someone who loves her. To go on long walks through Kirkby Market together, look at the stars from the site of the recently demolished ski slope and lie in bed listening to the dulcet tones of Pete Price on The Peaceful Hour.

Tim is an anthropology student from the Cotswolds and has always dreamed of embedding himself in a culture so he can walk amongst the locals, observing and learning from their behaviour. Kirkby is his version of Gorillas In The Mist. But with trackies.

As their eyes met across the dancefloor in Cagney’s, Julie knew that she wanted to take Tim home. He’s soon wrapped up in the realities of her bonkers family and he’s getting more than he bargained for. It’s far from peaceful.

Gerry Linford (Haunted Scouse, Yellow Breck Road) has written a brand new show about true love, real life and cheesy love songs.

Join us for one night in the life of a young couple whose destiny is guided by the stars. They just want to find what love means. Do you know what I mean, love?

 

Tambo & Bones

Tambo and Bones are stuck in a minstrel show. It’s hard to know what’s real when you’re stuck in a minstrel show. Their escape plan: get out, get rich, get even.

In this exhilarating, funny and provocative satire, Tambo and Bones journey from comedy double-act, to hip-hop superstars, to activists in a future America, contending with the alarming repercussions of a nation torn apart by race.

Spanning 500 years of history, Tambo & Bones laughs through our past, blows the roof off our present and imagines an explosive future for our world and for theatre.

An Actors Touring Company, Stratford East and Royal & Derngate, Northampton Co-Production in association with Belgrade Theatre, Leeds Playhouse and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse.

On The Banks Of The Royal Blue Mersey

On The Banks Of The Royal Blue Mersey is a comical celebration of the history of the team its players and it’s unbelievable history.

Local writers Steve Bird (Sucker Punch & Chasing Rainbows) and Paul Daley (The Bitters & The Manopause) have created a comedy that charts the history of Everton from its first home in Anfield to the building of Goodison Park and all the iconic and memorable moments that will live long in every Everton fans memory.

It’s a tale you couldn’t make up, so Steve and Paul have… 
 
Directed Lee Clotworthy (Out of The Woodwork) and a cast filled with Merseyside’s finest acting talent On The Banks Of The Royal Blue Mersey promises to be a laugh out loud celebration of Everton past present and future.


No Sex Please, We’re British

Back after their successful run of Abigail’s Party at The Hope Street Theatre last year and starring Steven Arnold who played Ashley Peacock in Coronation Street for 15-years, the award-winning Northern Comedy Theatre present this riotous farce that notched up a staggeringly successful 16-year run in the West End.

Peter and Frances could reasonably expect to look forward to a calm, happy start  to their married life together. Owing to an unfortunate mistake, they find themselves inundated with adult material from the ‘Scandinavian Import Company’. Senior bank officials, Peter’s snobbish mother, and a prim, respectable bank cashier become inextricably entangled in the rumbustious events that follow as they try – but fail – to keep things under control.