‘Stories are wild creatures’, the monster said. ‘When you let them loose, who knows what havoc they might wreak?’
Thirteen-year-old Conor has always managed just fine with his mum, even after his dad left. But now, everything’s changing. His mum is seriously ill, his grandmother always meddling, and the kids at school… well, they’re not the friends he thought any more.
One night, Conor hears a stirring from the trees at his window. A monster has come calling. A monster with ancient stories to share. Through their midnight visits, Conor confronts his deepest fears and discovers unexpected truths about love, loss, and healing.
A Monster Calls, based on the novel by Patrick Ness and inspired by an original idea by Siobhan Dowd, devised by Sally Cookson, Adam Peck and the Company, comes alive on stage at the Everyman this summer, directed by Nathan Crossan-Smith and performed by the YEP Actors 18-25 Company.
Three women confront love, desire and memory in stories spanning East and West in the first staged performance of Chambers of the Heart.
Newly divorced and adjusting to living alone in lockdown, 30-something Yasmine turns to online dating but there is something oddly familiar about who she meets.
Reem is a Syrian refugee in her early 40s fleeing her country but unable to let go of the memory of an unrequited love.
Mother is in her early 70s and reluctant to be on stage as she is interrogated by her son who is trying to unlock the past.
Written by Hassan Abdulrazzak, directed by Sepy Baghaei and performed by Laila Alj, this work will debut as a staged performance at Liverpool Arab Arts Festival.
ORANGES AND STONES is a play without words, told solely through physical action and original music that conveys a moving image of occupation and settlement in Palestine spanning over 75 years.
ORANGES AND STONES is a symbolic play, in which we find a woman living alone in her home. She is happy, tending to her orange orchards, until one day, a man walks in, carrying a suitcase, looking dishevelled. She has no idea who he is. She offers him some water. He waves a piece of paper and starts to unpack and move in.
Now more needed than ever, ORANGES AND STONES is conceived and directed by Mojisola Adebayo, co-created with ASHTAR Theatre. Last performed in the UK in 2013, it has been performed all over the world in countries including, Brazil, France, Germany, Jordan, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the USA.
Credits:
Tamasha and Shubbak present ASHTAR Theatre’s production of ORANGES AND STONES
Directed by Mojisola Adebayo.
What does ‘making it’ really mean?
Backstage in a Liverpool social club, actress and cabaret diva, Bev, eagerly awaits a career- changing call from her London agent. As she prepares for her last ever gig, Bev shares stories of her search for stardom and her fight for survival. We learn about the lecherous managers, holiday-camp and cruise-ship mafia, and how a meeting with a famous director could mean the end of her days as a travelling social-club singer and a chance to ‘make it’. But at what cost?
For anyone who’s ever wanted to look behind the club-lounge starcloth, this new comedy two-hander shines a spotlight on how a working-class wonder woman survives in the tricky world of showbusiness.
Making It! began as a homegrown one woman show in 2018 called Our Bev’s Christmas Cracker, winning a Liverpool Echo Theatre Award, and played to sellout crowds. This time, writing duo Stephen Fletcher and Cath Rice have developed the show further and are proud to present this exciting comedy two-hander, now also starring the brilliant Andrew Schofield.
“A lot of heart, soul and Merseyside wit, you’ll be glad you popped down to see Bev” Liverpool Echo
Written by Stephen Fletcher & Catherine Rice with additional material by Andrew Schofield
Directed by Stephen Fletcher
Once a cult sensation, Rob Madge’s show has grown in stature to become WhatsOnStage Award winning and Olivier Award nominated and now due to public demand is set to embark on a brand new national tour visiting Liverpool Playhouse for the first time.
When Rob was 12, they attempted to stage a full-blown Disney parade in their house for their Grandma. As Rob donned a wig and played Mary Poppins, Ariel, Mickey Mouse and Belle, their Dad doubled as Stage Manager, Sound Technician and Goofy. Unfortunately, Dad missed all his cues and pushed all the floats in the wrong direction. Mum mistook Aladdin for Ursula. The costumes went awry and Ariel’s bubble gun didn’t work properly. Grandma had a nice time though.
My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?) celebrates the joy and chaos of raising a queer child and is testament to the power of unconditional familial love.
Originating at the Turbine Theatre in 2021, it had a sold-out season at the Edinburgh Festival in 2022, followed by a national tour and then two West End runs. Three years on join social-media sensation Rob Madge as they set out to recreate that parade – and this time, nobody, no, NOBODY is gonna rain on it!
Not many musical explosions define a generation and change music for ever. There was Rock and Roll in 1956, Beatlemania in 1963, Flower Power in 1967, The birth of Rock in 1970 and then there was… Punk and New Wave.
Between 1976 and 1979 the music world and popular culture was turned upside down as bands, musicians and fashion adopted a new and fresh ‘DIY’ approach to making music and expressing itself. From its birth in New York City to its adolescence in London and onto its maturity across the globe Punk and New Wave is most defiantly the music that defined a generation.
For the first time all the hits, attitude and fashion are brought to the stage by this incredibly talented cast of musicians, singers and dancers that will take you on a rollercoaster ride you will never forget.
“Behold Ye Ramblers!” – weaves poetry, song, wit, music and comedy in a performance revealing the history of the Clarion Movement that inspired the development of outdoor pursuits and leisure for ‘the many’ and established vital campaigns to claim the right to walk freely across the countryside; to protect, defend and connect with the land.
From about 1890 up to the 1930s, readers of the “The Clarion” newspaper formed clubs and societies dedicated to leisure and educational pursuits for the furtherance of health and wellbeing – Clarion Cycling, Clarion Rambling, Scouts, Vocal Unions (choirs), drama groups, brass bands – as well as the Clarion Van for the promotion of Socialism.
New, lively arrangements of songs from the Clarion Song Book (from such luminaries as William Morris, Edward Carpenter and Edith Nesbit) and popular songs amongst the cyclists and ramblers will be front and centre of the performance.
The year is 1916.
Drawn from two years of Sussex retirement for the funeral of his friend, Dr Watson, Holmes returns to Baker Street to resolve ‘the last act’ of his epic career.
A theatrical evening then unfolds, with fourteen characters, all played by Nigel Miles-Thomas in a tour de force performance.
Cross-examinations, heated arguments between Holmes and Watson, and all manner of comic and serious interactions, between many famous Conan Doyle characters.
As the play concludes the great detective reveals a shocking secret.
Written by Conan Doyle expert David Stuart Davies, directed by award-winning Gareth Armstrong.
Sherlock Holmes, the original and greatest literary detective of them all, tackles the most baffling case of his career in this cheeky but chilling adaptation.
This gripping show promises an irresistible blend of tension and wit. Performed in the great outdoors by Illyria, prepare for an unforgettable evening of mystery, intrigue and things that go ‘woof’ in the night!
This is an outdoor production, so please bring your own chair or blanket to sit on and dress for the weather!
Notes on Performance:
- Running time approx: 2hrs 20 minutes (inc interval)
- All ages welcome, recommended 8+, under 12 months go free.
- Gates open one hour before, so come and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Please note that due to our license, only alcohol purchased on The Reader’s premises may be consumed at this event.
- New for 2024 – Premium Ticket includes a deckchair with a guaranteed great view of the performance.
- In case of rain, please don’t bring umbrellas as they block sight-lines for other audience members. Ponchos and raincoats are just as fetching, so please wear these instead.
- Our Garden Theatre is wheelchair and pram accessible.
- Only assistance dogs are permitted.
- We have a limited number of free essential companion tickets available, please contact the Box Office tickets@thereader.org.uk
