Mushroom Language: A Fungal Gothic

Nature is hilarious, and terrifying…

Mushroom Language: A Fungal Gothic is about the cycles that shape us – eruption, reproduction and decay. It’s about role-playing the lichen love stories, spore shoot-outs and truffle siren songs found in our forests.

They eat nappies

They eat toothbrushes

They eat bombs

They eat newspapers about how the world will end…

A species running slowly in parallel preaching change silently, digesting muck into matter and back again.

In an eerie and funny homage to folk horror, two human performers absorb and mimic ‘mushroom language’ through ritual and power dynamics. Who are these creatures, and what are the mushrooms trying to tell them? Dreamlike conversations and movement sequences are underpinned by original music from composer Hannah Miller (of the Moulettes) and playful design by Rūta Irbīte.

Join our panel-led 30-minute post-show Q&A on Tuesday, April 15 – Don’t miss out!

Liverpool Improvisation Festival 2025

The Liverpool Improvisation Festival is back once again! Now an annual highlight in the Unity calendar, they cannot wait to welcome improvisers from far and wide to the Unity stage.

The Unity will become a hive of all thing’s improv, when shows open on Thursday the 24th of April and run through till late on Saturday the 26th of April (10pm).

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The Liverpool Improvisation Festival (LIF) brings the best of the world’s improvisation to Liverpool and the best of Liverpool to the world. With local, national, and international talent, including 18 spontaneous shows across 3 days and a day filled with 7 expertly led workshops, LIF2025 has something for everyone!

The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen o...

Join Queen Jesus in Liverpool for two nights only at St Bride’s Church in the heart of the city’s Georgian Quarter.

The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven is a unique, emotive, one-woman theatrical piece that “leaves everyone feeling blessed” as it seeks to end trans discrimination. Jesus has returned to earth as a trans woman and this is your chance to come and meet her even if you don’t normally go to church.

The show is written and performed by Jo Clifford (TAMING OF THE SHREW, EVE) – one of Scotland’s most renowned playwrights with over 100 plays to her name, Stonewall role model and recently elected an Elder of the United Reformed Church.

Described as having “one of the most remarkable journeys in recent theatre history” (Joyce McMillan, The Scotsman) the show has indeed had an incredible journey over the last fifteen years since its premiere as part of the Glasgay festival in 2009. From being the subject of hate, abuse and a mass protest outside the initial show, to hundreds of critically acclaimed and sold-out performances in the UK and Brazil. Indeed, the Brazilian version has become the most talked about work in the country and is at the epicentre of the struggle against censorship and bigotry.

This is Jo’s first time performing her show in Liverpool, and it is a chance for the audience to be blessed with a sense of shared connection. There has never been a more important time for such a simple message of hope and of love.

“I wrote The Gospel According to Jesus, Queen of Heaven because I wanted to resist. Resist the profound and damaging shame and fear and guilt that has been with me almost all my life. The shame and the fear and the guilt that comes on almost all of us trans women and men born into this hostile world.” – Jo Clifford

Meet the playwright in conversation on
Friday 25th April
7.30pm
entrance by donation and no booking required

Theatre Performance
Saturday 26th April
7.30pm
Performance duration 55 minutes.
Concessions £10
Full price: £15

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Sales over the cost of production donated to Open Table Liverpool.

FOUR

Written by Elspeth Todd, FOUR sees four family members hit with some unexpected news. Each family member is given the spotlight, recounting their version of events in this story of love, loss, and grief.

Tip Tray Theatre and their What Happens Next competition have been at the forefront of supporting emerging writers and their work, setting them up for success in the theatre industry.

Takeaway

A portion of fun and a big plate of chaos.

Hyltons Caribbean takeaway is a much-loved restaurant at the heart of Liverpool 8. Built by Carol and her late husband into a bustling hub with a mouth-watering menu, it serves great food with a huge side-order of love. But in a world of delivery apps, street food markets and gourmet curry goat, her family are divided about what their future should hold.

The Liverpool they live in is changing too. With a block of luxury apartments about to wipe out a local Community Centre, anger’s rising and things are getting spicy.

Takeaway is a big bowl of fun, heartbreak and chaos dished up by our creative director, Nathan Powell. Packed with big laughs, family tensions and delicious food, this is a tasty Everyman treat made for our stage, our city, our people – the perfect recipe for everyone who loves a delicious night out.

The Walrus Has a Right To Adventure

A wilder life is closer than you think.

Meet Oskar, Rio and Hazel – three people getting on with their lives in different corners of the globe. They’ve never spoken. They’ve never met. But they’re about to share a startling wild-animal encounter. One that will transform the way they think about their world.

From Norway’s glittering fjords to Colorado’s stunning peaks to Halewood’s majestic Tesco, The Walrus Has a Right to Adventure spins three very human stories into one tender and touching tale.

Funny, surprising and inspired by real animal encounters from around the world, this is powerful, inventive storytelling at its creative best – a swooping, soaring play about instinct, expectation and identity, and what it means to be truly free.

Speedo Mick- The Scouse Stomper

Over its illustrious 150-year history Everton Football Club has had many heroes but perhaps none of them have been absorbed into the wider public consciousness as much as Speedo Mick. 

A die-hard Blues supporter, supported himself by thousands across the country and around the world.

This is the story of a man who thought he had lost everything. His family, his home, his mind and his soul. For some time, he suffered from addiction and mental health issues. As he got on the road to recovery, he wanted to give something back, so he set about raising money.

He ran marathons until his knees gave out, he swam the channel until his shoulder packed in. And after that? Well, he had the trunks and he fancied a walk…

Join us for the world premiere of the musical that celebrates one of the biggest characters to come out of this city. From being that homeless guy in the shop doorway, they said it wouldn’t amount to anything, to raising more than £1,000,000 for disadvantaged young people and the homeless.

Age advisory 16+ Strong language.

Dress code: get dressed

Written by John Fay
Music by Boff Whalley
Directed by Conrad Nelson
Designed by Ellie Light

8pm shows Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm matinees on selected Thursdays and all Saturdays.

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Get ready to be inspired by the incredible story of Jamie New, a young boy with big dreams.

Join SONG for a captivating youth performance of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, a heartwarming musical that celebrates individuality, self-expression, and the power of believing in yourself.

Witness Jamie’s journey as he defies expectations and embraces his true identity. With catchy tunes, heartfelt lyrics, and a message of acceptance, this production is sure to leave you feeling uplifted and empowered.

Recommendation: 13+ parental discretion advised. Please note that this production contains some strong language.

Thursday 10 April: 7:30pm
Friday 11 April: 7:30pm
Saturday 12 April: 2:30pm & 7:30pm

War Horse

The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse returns in all-new UK and Ireland Tour.

War Horse is an unforgettable theatrical experience which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France.

Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of phenomenal inventiveness. At its heart are astonishing life-sized horses by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, who bring breathing, galloping, charging horses to thrilling life on stage.

At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France. He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in No Man’s Land. Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm, cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find Joey and bring him home.

This production uses strobe lighting.

The National Theatre’s Partner for Financial Wellbeing, Charles Stanley, is supporting War Horse on tour.

Red Or Dead

Peter Mullan (Ozark, Westworld, Mum) is Bill Shankly in an incredible new show adapted from David Peace’s iconic novel.

“I’m a people’s man – only the people matter.” Bill Shankly

This epic show, with a cast of 52, is the fictionalised story of one man, Bill Shankly and his work and of his life after that work. A man of two halves.

“Although I’m a Scot, I’d be proud to be called a Scouser. ”Bill Shankly

Brought to Liverpool from Huddersfield to fire the red heat of a revolution, Bill Shankly had one aim. To build Liverpool Football Club up and up until they were invincible.

“Liverpool was made for me, and I was made for Liverpool. ”Bill Shankly

Promotion, the first division title, the FA Cup and success in Europe all followed as Shankly defined what it was to be a Liverpool fan. He demanded total loyalty from his players and coaches. A loyalty that he hoped would be repaid when he retired.

“All I ask is that we try to make the people happy.” Bill Shankly

Adapted and directed by Phillip Breen (Royal Shakespeare Company, Clwyd Theatre Cymru) this will be the World premiere of an epic show that will have you on your feet and crying out the great man’s name. Don’t miss it.

“David Peace’s fictional portrait of the legendary Liverpool manager Bill Shankly is so hypnotic that even the football-averse might enjoy it.”  Mark Lawson, The Guardian

“David Peace brings perfect pitch to this ode to Bill Shankly’s Liverpool reign.” Frank Cottrell-Boyce, The Observer

A love letter to a great manager, an elegy to the beautiful game.” Doug Johnstone The Independent

Age advisory 14+

Cast confirmed: Les Dennis, Matthew Devlin, Paul Duckworth, Keith Fleming, George Jones, Gordon Kennedy, Oliver Mawdsley, Allison McKenzie, Peter Mullan, Liam Powell-Berry, Dickon Tyrrell and Jhanaica Van Mook

 

Written by David Peace
Adapted for the stage and directed by Phillip Breen
Designer Max Jones

8pm shows Tuesday to Saturday, 2pm matinees on selected Thursdays and all Saturdays.