Event type: Theatre

What Happens Next? is an interactive playwriting competition supporting Liverpool’s emerging artists. This unique event offers playwrights an opportunity to showcase their work, engage with audiences and industry experts, and be in with a chance to win a fantastic prize package.

What Happens Next? distinguishes itself from traditional writing contests by involving both the audience and a panel of judges in the selection process and having a deep focus on providing training opportunities to local artists.

Over the course of three evenings, eight compelling plays will showcase their opening 20 minutes in front of a live audience. The audience, alongside the expert panel of industry professionals, will cast their votes to determine which play deserves the spotlight, the coveted prizes and most importantly, which play made them say ‘What Happens Next?’

Thursday 16th January 2025 @ 7:30pm
Lucy and The Bird by Lara Field
With You by Yuvraj Bhatia and Irina Ivanova
Rain on Svalbard by Anita Bowman
Diva, She 3 and They by Joanne Collins

Friday 17th January 2025 @ 7:30pm
Bare bones by Nadine Jump
Unsinkable by Matthew Reynolds
Exit Music (for our world) by Anna Ní Dhúill
How to Commit a mattress heist by Jessica Brigham

Saturday 18th January 2025 @ 7:30pm

The final! Where the top voted plays will go head to head and we will find out who will be the winner of What Happens Next? 2025

What’s on offer?

The winners of What Happens Next? will be awarded an impressive array of prizes designed to support their artistic practice going forward:

Five Days of Complimentary Theatre Space: Utilise The Hope Street Theatre for a week, providing a dedicated space to develop and rehearse your play.

Professional Production Contract: Tip Tray Theatre will contract the full production of the winning play, offering a platform for a polished, professional showcase.

Expert Dramaturgy: Benefit from in-depth dramaturgical support from Papatango Theatre Company, ensuring that your play reaches its highest potential.

£1000 Kickstarter Budget: Secure a financial boost to support the realisation of your creative vision with a £1000 Kickstarter budget.

They are fundraising! Every ticket you buy helps them continue to support emerging artists in the north west and beyond. They understand that times are tough for a lot of people at the moment, but if you can, maybe consider buying a ticket, a supporter ticket to help out even more, or check out their fundraising page.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-emerging-artists-what-happens-next-2025

Tickets are available at their standard price of £11. However, if you’d like to help support this competition and its future growth, they invite you to consider purchasing a ticket at their supporter price of £17.50. Every little bit helps to keep events thriving and accessible to everyone!”

Disabled Access

There are 8 steps from Hope Street to enter the building. They currently have an application in process to have a lift installed, however there is not yet a date when this will be completed by. Once inside the building, everything is on one level and there are no further steps. There are accessible toilets. They always operate unreserved seating. Customers who require additional room or support should make themselves known to the Front of House Team on arrival.

Sealskin is an old selkie tale of the sea. Every full moon the Selkies appear, peeling away their seal skin, they dance freely in the moonlight, a fisherman discovers their secret, a skin is stolen and we see the betrayal and consequences that follow, exploring ideas of belonging, otherness and home.

The show combines Tmesis’ trademark playful and highly skilled physicality, puppetry, storytelling, incredible projection design and live original music from acoustic duo Me and Deboe.

An absolutely enchanting piece of theatre… a real beauty’ – 5 stars Arts City Liverpool- Catherine Jones

‘A much-deserved double standing ovation for a piece determined to make you engage and reflect, in what I would best describe as a very moving and emotional experience’ – 5 stars Northwestend- Mark Davoren

‘Tmesis is a company that is constantly changing and challenging itself, setting ever higher standards and examining the collective human experience in different ways. This production is something new again and with some unforgettable imagery and storytelling, certainly ranks among its best work’ – Made Up on Stage- Vicky Anderson

Capricious, independent and beautiful Bathsheba Everdene inherits and manages her uncle’s farm. She is courted by three infatuated suitors: an honest, loyal and capable shepherd; a womanising and charming Sergeant; and a lonely, wealthy farmer. Who will she choose? If any of them? She plays with all their hearts to devastating and dramatic effect.

Far from the Madding Crowd demonstrates live, vibrant theatre at its very best.

 Thomas Hardy’s masterpiece about love, class and gender roles is set against the rural landscape of Victorian England and is thrillingly brought to life in a new adaptation by the acclaimed Conn Artists Theatre Company, performed by an ensemble cast accompanied by music and songs of the period.

My Big Brother Sammy follows Jess and her older brother, Sammy, on the night of their Nan’s 70th birthday party. When Sammy receives a life-changing message, it forces Jess to confront their relationship in a whole new way . Bold, funny, and thought-provoking, this play dives into the highs and lows of sibling bonds, female empowerment, and complex issues of misogyny.

Smiles follows Makena, a shy and reserved introvert, and Ruby, a loud, unstoppable extrovert who can’t stand being alone. When Ruby crashes into Makena’s quiet world by moving into the room next door at their hostel, sparks fly. But as life throws unexpected challenges their way, the two opposites form an unlikely friendship that shakes things up—and changes everything.

My Big Brother Sammy + Smiles opens at Unity Theatre on Tuesday  4th – Wednesday 5th February, before touring to community and youth spaces.

Valley Community Theatre Presents the Festive Spectacular: “Jack and the Beanstalk”

Valley Community Theatre’s Festive pantomime this year is “Jack and the Beanstalk”, running from Saturday 11th January 2025 to Sunday 12th January 2025. Audiences of all ages are invited to dive into the magic, and festive spirit of this lively, family-friendly production. Loads of laughs, music and .. a bit of acting. Interactive Fun for All Ages.

Be prepared to shout “He’s behind you!” and join in the fun as their cast brings the timeless, festive joy of pantomime to the stage.

Tickets and Showtimes

Tickets for “Jack and the Beanstalk” are now available from valleytheatre.co.uk Prices are a family friendly £8, with discounts at £6 available for children and seniors. Showtimes are Saturday 11th January and Sunday 12th January matinees, 2pm (doors open 1.30pm.) Saturday 11th January evening 7pm (doors open 6pm)

For tickets and more information, please visit valleytheatre.co.uk or contact their box office at 07746 697 263.