This Kind of Black (Requiem for Black Boys) is the powerful new stage show from poet and musician Reece Williams.
It’s about growing up in Manchester’s Moss Side in the 1990s, a stone’s throw from conflict and violence. It celebrates a community held together by prayers, warmth and humour, while mourning the tragic loss of young life. It’s about the intersection of race and class, when the media only portrays you through the lens of ‘Gunchester,’ gangs and poverty.
Above all the show explores the complex relationship between a gangland father and his son, and the impact of trauma on the mental health of young Black boys across the generations.
Reece Williams is a towering presence on the northern spoken word and poetry scene and has performed alongside the likes of Saul Williams, Kae Tempest, The Last Poets and Amiri Baraka. He is passionate about youth engagement, cultural policy and race relations and works to empower young people from economically deprived communities to create projects that foster social change.
“This Kind of Black is a beautiful, lyrical requiem that manages to be both moving and gently celebratory.” Adventures In Theatreland
“A real celebration of community, depicting its strength, hardship, humour and resilience. Williams is absolutely brilliant.” ILoveManchester
We survived so you don’t have to.
The world has ended, time to rejoice. A leader emerges, one who promises a better future. This curious collective may have outlived the humans, but can they avoid repeating the same mistakes?
The Intrusion is a dynamic new collaboration from Bric à Brac Theatre and Told by an Idiot. Featuring original music, creative captioning*, and clown; this darkly comic production offers an anarchic look at extinction and questions who gets to survive.
Directed by Anna Marshall
Praise for Bric à Brac:
‘The cast members are faultless in their hybrid roles and the whole world hint is, aptly, a perfect example of risk paying off’ The Observer on Glass Ceiling Beneath the Stars
‘Remarkably intricate piece of theatre’ British Theatre Guide on Glass Ceiling Beneath the Stars
‘Creative, really smart, very funny and poignant’ Sinners Review on Glass Ceiling Beneath the Stars
Previous praise for Told by an Idiot:
‘One of the jewels of left field British theatre’ Guardian
‘Their work is never less than sublime’ Independent
Written & performed by Nathaniel J Hall. Presented by Dibby Theatre. A HOME Co-commission, supported by Arts Council England
Hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure, Toxic is the critically-acclaimed new show from award winning theatre maker Nathaniel J Hall (First Time, It’s A Sin).
“This is the story of how we met, fell in love, and f*cked it up.”
Manchester 2017. A chance meeting on a hook-up app sets two damaged thirty-something hearts on a spectacular collision course. Born into Thatcher’s Britain of race riots and rampant homophobia and growing up in the shadow of Aids and Section 28, the pair form a trauma bond so tight, they might just survive it all. But sometimes survival means knowing when to leave.
This explosive semi-autobiographical show written by Nathaniel J Hall and performed by Nathaniel with Josh-Susan Enright blends storytelling (dir. by Scott Le Crass), movement (Plaster Cast), stunning design (Lu Herbert), visual projections and lighting (dede ././ and Tracey Gibbs) and an original pumping soundtrack by SHAR.
Inspired by true events, Toxic is a powerful and passionate play that pulls back the glittery curtain of pride to reveal a place where many still suffer the devastating impact of generational HIV stigma, racism, homophobia and toxic gender norms.
“This show is far from Toxic – it is a breath of fresh air. – “West End Best Friend
“a beautiful reminder to us all to live life with pride” – Curtain Call Reviews
“Very thought-provoking” – Your MCR
Unleash your inner rebel at Unity Theatre with the Merseyside Kings as they present ‘The Cabaret of Manarchy’—a night of unpredictable chaos, side-splitting humour, and magnetic drag artistry.
This isn’t just a cabaret; it’s an unmissable moment in local queer history. Prepare yourself for an evening of raw creativity, jaw-dropping performances, and plenty of surprises from Liverpool’s finest drag kings and performers.
Celebrate the unique spirit of drag kings and embrace the glorious unpredictability that makes this show unlike anything you’ve seen before. With bold acts, witty banter, and electric energy, you’ll laugh, cheer, and fall in love with this new collective.
The cabaret kicks off at 7:30 PM, followed by a post-show mixer in the bar at 9:30 PM, where you can meet the kings and party with the community. Be part of the moment. Be part of the anarchy. Get your tickets now!
Battle Lines is a play about working class struggle historically and today. Many of the issues workers face today – low pay, zero hours, bogus self-employment, have arisen because of past Governments’ efforts to break and restrict organised labour and the Trade Union Movement.
The Miners’ Strike that ended 40 years ago was a pivotol event, and one from which younger workers today can take many lessons from. Banner Theatre, in both words and song, explore the struggles of the past and the present.
Theatre Porto is a relatively new theatre located in the old Whitby Hall in Whitby Park. There is some disabled parking adjoining the theatre, but free parking is generally in the main Whtby Park Car Park, with 200 metre walk up to the Hall.
Doors open at 6.30 pm and the play will start a little after 7pm. There will be an interval with light refreshments available. Finish around 9.15 pm.
There are no age restrictions, but the play is aimed teenagers and above.
The Citadel is a powerful, timely drama tackling the challenges of contemporary Britain and the struggles of a legitimate asylum seeker trying to make a home here.
Set in Merseyside and wedged somewhere between Arthur Miller’s A View from the Bridge and Charles Fuller’s, A Soldier’s Play, The Citadel exposes the tensions between people of colour when jobs are at stake.
Doors: 6pm
Show: 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Q&A: 8:30pm – 9pm
The performance is presented on a ‘pay what you decide’ basis, with the opportunity to make donations on the evening.
The Citadel is the first play to be developed by Merseyside Script Lab – a new initiatlve supporting plays and playwrights from across the region.
Presented in association with The Black-E.
A hilarious and heartfelt show that explores Northern masculinity and society through raucous interactive cabaret.
Four Northern lads are given the impossible task of rebuilding Northern masculinity in one night. Only one of them can become the BIG STRONG MAN and save the North. Which one? That’s up to you!
Surrealist comedy comrades, The Growth House, invite you for a night of Poundland level extravagance, side-splitting comedy and electrifying performances. Featuring song, dance, improvisation, boyband parodies, lip syncs, karaoke and a bear, BIG STRONG MAN is an unforgettable alternative comedy night out.
Once upon a time, in the land of fairytales, Chester the Castle Jester has muddled up all invitations to The Royal Ball
Join him as he goes on an adventure to meet Cinderella at The Royal Castle, The Little Mermaid Under The Sea, Princess Rapunzel in the Tallest Tower, Princess Beauty in her little bookshop in Paris and The Snow Queen in the freezing village of Snowydale to deliver all the invitations by hand to make they all make it to The Enchanted Princess Ball.
This Royal Princess Extravaganza is a fast paced, high energy and engaging musical toe tapping adventure that is perfect for the whole family featuring stunning sets, sparkling costumes and lots of songs, dance, laughs and audience participation!
Following on from the fabulous success of the award winning The Haunting of Blaine Manor, Joe O’Byrne returns with his first tale in the critically acclaimed series of Supernatural meets Northern Noir Tales from Paradise Heights – ‘Stephen King meets Jimmy McGovern’.
Diane’s Deli: A Tale from Paradise Heights
Sean Ginty is a café owner in Paradise Heights. A quiet and unassuming man who wears a watch that stopped over 25 years ago. He’s a father figure to both his staff; literary student Jake, and Gabrielle, an artist and scarred survivor of a horrific fire that left her orphaned some years ago. It seems to be a quiet idyllic existence. But who is the mysterious Angel of The Heights, and more disturbingly – is something haunting the café?
DS Mackey, from the local police, is a burnt out and bitter man with an eye for opportunity and the other eye on Sean; he is more than curious about his past.
When a woman turns up in the café late one night, a chain of events is set in motion that will have devastating effects on all their lives…
After a successful tour in the North East, Charlie Prothero’s short play “Boxing” comes home to the river Mersey accompanied by two others: “Shallow End” and “Checked Out”. Three short stories told back to back, set in three different boxes: a changing room, a Travelodge, a confession booth. Funny, moving, unexpected and quintessentially Scouse- these are stories about the small boxes we make for ourselves each day, and our attempts to stay in them.
Friday 14th March, 7:30pm, Unity 2
A comedy anthology for fans of Inside No. 9 and Mike Leigh. Laughter, tears, smiles, Travelodges, priests, relationships, swimming pools, good grief, pop music and love… it’s all in our Boxes.
Dogtale Theatre are a brand new Merseyside theatre company, making their debut on the scene with “Boxes: Three Stories”. Their work focuses on new writing and new folk, telling interesting stories in exciting ways. If you’re a new creative or performer with a story to tell, get in touch and say hello!
