Join acclaimed theatre maker Andy Smith and award-winning applied arts practitioner Lynsey O’Sullivan for a day of play, discussion, and action.
This day will see three performances of plays from the ongoing project PLAYS FOR THE PEOPLE: A CITIZENS’ ASSEMBLY, HOW CAN WE BE MORE ANTI-RACIST? and THE ACTIONS. These plays tackle the climate emergency, inequality and political activism. They are plays designed to be read aloud together and then discussed. They are plays where the people in the room play the people in the play. Plays that ask questions of acting in both a theatrical and ethical sense.
Audience-participants for this special event will each be given a copy of a new publication containing the plays. Over the course of the day, through the activity, they will be trained in how to undertake performances themselves. Following it, they can then organise them for their own communities and constituencies, free of any charge.
All are welcome. Lunch will be provided. They’d like people from diverse places to join us – arts and educational institutions, community and grassroots organisations, freelance artists and interested individuals. For this reason, tickets are being offered on a pay what you can afford basis between £15 and £45.
They suggest a price of £15 for freelancers and individuals, £25 for teachers, youth workers and those representing smaller arts organisations, and £45 for participants representing bigger institutions such as arts centres and universities. Please do consider paying what you can, as it will allow us to offer bursary places and support for those who for whatever reason are not able to afford to attend.
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.
Robert Tressell’s novel adapted as a stage play, follows the fortunes of a group of painters and decorators and their families as they struggle to survive against exploitative employers, unemployment, debt and abject poverty.
Where the only safety nets are charity, the workhouse, and the grave.
Robert Tressell’s novel adapted as a stage play, follows the fortunes of a group of painters and decorators and their families as they struggle to survive against exploitative employers, unemployment, debt and abject poverty.
Where the only safety nets are charity, the workhouse, and the grave.
Dylan is living with dementia. Heather must watch the love of her life drift away and battle with the erosion of his memories…but Heather is not going to let Dylan go easily!
Instead, they fight to remember their past together, the laughter, the battles, and to rediscover a joy that keeps them connected for whatever the future holds.
Kook Ensemble brings together a team of world class theatre makers to create original and playful stories. They delight in blending the very best of circus arts and theatre to charm, surprise and keep you guessing until the end!
‘Sand’ is Kook Ensemble’s second show, hard on the heels of their critically acclaimed tour of ‘Filibuster’ in 2024.
Created and produced by Kook Ensemble, co-commissioned by Landmark Theatres. Supported by Arts Council England and the Royal National Theatre Generate programme.
All Things Considered Theatre’s Be.Spoke programme offers women a creative space to play, bounce and explore their creative performances.
All of the work is original material and based on lived experience.
This work is funded by The Arts Council England.
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be born into a country where your safety was at risk?
Afloat is a theatre for social change performance, following the journey of two English citizens seeking asylum in a fictional place, fighting for their lives as the dream to make Britain Great turns into a living nightmare. Afloat brings to the stage powerful real-life stories of asylum seekers, inviting the audience to step into their shoes and confront the daily struggles and challenges faced with every step.
15+
An artist (‘An Té’) sits in their studio, frantic and lonely, as their life has begun to unravel due to their burgeoning queer identity.
Over the course of this monologue play, we begin to understand that An Té has recently become obsessed with the old Irish legend of the Brown Bull of Cooley – a figured revered for his masculinity and assertiveness – and in order to solve their problem, they summon the Bull to their basement studio. A battle of monologues ensues as An Té desperately tries to figure out their predicament: whether life beyond the binary would be worth potentially losing the love of their life.
Performed in the Irish language with English surtitles, the play is suitable for ages 12+.
Free Theatre History Walking Tours in May,
Guided walking tours exploring Liverpool’s theatrical past, led by eccentric Victorian actors, Bartholomew Garrick & Wildman Stageham.
Join the pair as they reveal Liverpool’s hidden theatre gems, starting at The Bluecoat you will be led to the #lightsuponliverpool Theatre History exhibition at The Hornby Library Liverpool Central Library for a special tour of the exhibition.
Plus on two of the dates you have the opportunity to visit the Central Library Archive Rooms and see some of the rare artefacts from the exhibition in the flesh.
Dates:
Fri 2nd May – Walk at 11am, meet at The Bluecoat – One Hour Archive Tour (a maximum of 15 people) – 2 till 3pm & 3pm till 4pm
Sat 3rd May – Walk at 11am, meet at The Bluecoat – One Hour Archive Tour (a maximum of 15 people) – 2 till 3pm & 3pm till 4pm
Sat 24th May – Walk at 11am, meet at The Bluecoat – One Hour
Email: artgroupie@outlook.com
please state the date/time and number of places required to reserve.
Kindly supported, by The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to money raised by National Lottery players to offer free heritage activity in connection with the ‘Lights Up on Liverpool’ exhibition currently on display at Liverpool Central Library which launched in November.
‘Lights Up on Liverpool’ is ArtsGroupie CIC’s first public heritage exhibition in partnership with Liverpool Central Library Liverpool Libraries and Information Services. It explores the city’s vibrant theatre heritage, showcasing historic playbills, props, and programmes from the archives at Liverpool Record Office. The exhibition was extended to May 2025 due to its popularity and warm reception from the public.
Theatre legend Emma Rice takes on a film legend in this riotously funny reworking that turns the original thriller on its head.
With just six performers, a fabulous fifties soundtrack and a lot of suitcases, this production plays with the heart, mind and soul. Join us for a night of glamour, romance, jeopardy and a liberal sprinkling of tender truths.
