Sweet Charity

Liverpool Theatre School is set to put on a spectacular performance of Sweet Charity at The Epstein Theatre, which will see final year musical theatre students entertain the audience with showstoppers such as ‘Big Spender’, ‘Rhythm of Life’ and ‘If My Friends Could See Me Now’.

The classic musical comedy, with a score by Cy Coleman and Dorothy Fields, tells the story of hopeless romantic, Charity Hope Valentine, a New York taxi dancer who embarks on a series of disastrous relationships during her quest to find love.

Speaking on the show, Maxine Ellis, Principal at Liverpool Theatre School, said: “Sweet Charity is an iconic musical theatre production, which even though its Broadway premiere took place in 1966, is still very much relevant today. It’s a story about heartbreak, optimism and resilience, with a sprinkling of glitz and glamour.

“The musical comedy is both hugely entertaining to watch and challenging to perform, so it calls for real talent and skill from our final year students who have all been working incredibly hard to make sure they do the show justice at the wonderful Epstein Theatre. It really is a fabulous show and I would urge any fans of musical theatre to join us for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.”

Liverpool Theatre School, which accepts only the most talented students on its elite training programmes in dance, musical theatre and acting, boasts a long list of success stories with graduates currently appearing in hit shows such as SIX the Musical, Frozen the Musical, Blood Brothers and Wicked.

The specialist stage school, rated outstanding in all areas by Ofsted, provides a range of professional training courses, which are designed to give young people the skills they need to pursue professional careers in the performing arts industry.

Liverpool Theatre School also provides a number of fully-funded places and bursaries including the Sir Ken Dodd Scholarship, which has recently been introduced to honour the performing arts school’s former patron.

Tickets for Liverpool Theatre School’s production of Sweet Charity, which starts at 7pm on 19th & 20th June, are available now at theepsteintheatre.com.

Find out more about Liverpool Theatre School at liverpoolcentralstudios.com.

The Book of Will

The King’s Men are getting the band back together. Their goal: to gather the Bard’s scattered masterpieces and save his words before they’re lost to history…

Shakespeare has barely been dead for 3 years when a pirated Hamlet rip-off hits a stage near the Globe Theatre. His old acting troupe friends are livid.

To save Will’s works for the ages, they hatch a near-impossible plan to collect his words on paper, setting them off on a bonkers race against time through London. Their hearts are on the line and those they love are counting on them – to maybe leave a legacy that will last forever?

Don’t miss this award-winning, fast-paced and very funny play in its European premiere production.

Macbeth

The Macbeth’s want what they believe to be theirs, the crown.

How long will it take a struggling and divided society to fight back against the ever-turning wheel of violence and power?

Through the couple’s landscape of grief and uncertainty, a complex portrait of a fragile mind emerges. A tense psychological exploration of masculinity, fragility, shame, and delusion.

Meanwhile nature is transforming, dreams are becoming nightmares, our world is rejecting humanity.

English Touring Theatre’s Macbeth is a visceral, claustrophobic, and intoxicating show, which speaks to a world we find ourselves living in now, as we watch those who hold the highest responsibilities in our society brazenly use deceit and misinformation in their quest for power.

The Wind in The Willows

Get ready for another whirlwind adventure in the Cockpit Theatre this Christmas time, as we head to the English countryside with our good friends Toad, Ratty, Mole and Badger!

The Wind in the Willows is a funny, timeless tale of friendship, courage, consequences and bravery.

When Mole forfeits his seasonal cleaning for the lure of the luscious riverbank, he has no idea of the thrilling (and slightly chaotic) journey that he and his friends are about to embark on…

Featuring live music and a talented company of actor-musicians, this delightful adaptation by Toby Hulse of Kenneth Grahame’s classic story is set to be the perfect festive treat for all ages.

High Times and Dirty Monsters

The voice of young disabled people often goes unheard. But not anymore – this raucous, radical, celebratory, and hard-hitting hip hop gig theatre show shares the good times and the not so good times being young and disabled in 2023.

Funny, raw and surprising stories told by an amazing collective of actors, beatboxers, rappers, and dancers. With creative captioning, integrated sign language and integrated audio description.

Expect heavy beats, stunning visuals and full hearts.

Co-produced by 20 Stories High, Graeae Theatre, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and LEEDS 2023

Ticket deal

They can offer any young people aged 14-30/groups a £5 ticket deal. The ticket deal code is: 20SH5! They have loads of amazing resources on their website here, and there are loads of exciting activities happening around the shows. For more info, please contact Leanne@20storieshigh.org.uk.

Free tickets for Young People/Groups: 

They also have a limited number of free tickets they can give out to groups/Young people who might need that in order to engage.

I, Daniel Blake

Dan is a carpenter. A Geordie through and through. Just on the mend after a heart attack.

Katie has just arrived from London. Finally got a council house for her and the kids. A fresh start.

I, Daniel Blake is one of the most important stories of a generation. A glimpse behind the headlines and the stark reality of what happens when the political system is stacked against you. With 14.5 million* people living in poverty in the UK, this is not fiction. It is reality.

A touching and vital story of how people come together in the face of adversity and how sometimes creating a family to support you just isn’t enough. The show is adapted for stage by Dave Johns who played Daniel Blake in the award winning 2016 film.

*Joseph Rowntree Foundation 2022 Poverty Report.
Recommended age, 12+ due to adult language.

I, Daniel Blake adapted by Dave Johns from the film directed by Ken Loach, written by Paul Laverty, and produced by Rebecca O’Brien for Sixteen Films.

A tiny dragon Productions and ETT co-production in association with Northern Stage. Originally co-produced with Birmingham Rep and Oldham Coliseum.

Cuckoo

“I do love some David Attenborough, but even he can be a bit of a miz bag now, always going on about climate change … You don’t want to think about the end of the world before you go to bed on a Sunday night.”

Birkenhead born writer Michael Wynne returns to the Everyman, after his past sell out success with Hope Place (part of the Everyman’s re-opening season in 2014) and The Knocky (winning him Best New Talent at Liverpool Echo Arts Awards). A new dark comedy, Cuckoo explores the safety of home and the different ways we cope in our increasingly uncertain world.

Created in partnership with the Royal Court Theatre, London, for whom Michael has previously written The People Are Friendly and the Olivier award-winning The Priory, the play is directed by their Artistic Director Vicky Featherstone. The cast features Sue Jenkins (Coronation Street for ITV, Brookside for Channel 4) as the family matriarch, with her daughters played by Michelle Butterly (Hope Place at the Everyman, Benidorm for ITV) and Jodie McNee (Twelfth Night at the Everyman, the film Judy), and introduces Liverpool actor Emma Harrison as Megyn.

Michael Wynne is also a successful screenwriter, winning a BAFTA for the film My Summer of Love, writing Lapland and its spin-off series Being Eileen for BBC1, and tv shows including EastEnders, Where the Heart Is and Eyes Down.

A Royal Court Theatre production in association with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse

SealSkin – Tmesis Theatre

In a village far away, by the wild landscape of the sea, every full moon the Selkies appear. As they peel away their seal skin, they dance freely in the moonlight, as humans. One such night a fisherman discovers their secret and, stealing away a Selkie’s skin, our story begins.

A battle of longing and belonging, SealSkin is a powerful story of betrayal, power, otherness and loss. Combining Tmesis’ trademark playful and highly skilled physicality, this new show is presented as part of Physical Fest 2023 and features live music from acoustic duo Me and Deboe.

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dre...

Liverpool’s oldest theatre group makes historic return to Epstein Theatre with a family classic

The full-scale musical production will be a triumphant return to the Epstein Theatre after a long absence. One of the most popular family musicals will be brought to life by Liverpool’s oldest theatre company next week. The Bentley Operatic Society is set to perform the exuberant and uplifting Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the Epstein Theatre from June 14-17.

The production will see the group return to the old stomping ground of the Epstein theatre, where the company performed regular shows for nearly 50 years until its closure in 2005.

Consisting of a host of well known and popular songs, the family Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice classic is centred around Joseph, who has the uncanny ability to interpret dreams, and being the favoured of twelve sons. The story follows his trials and tribulations but is packed with an upbeat and eclectic mix of musical styles, ranging from country and western, to bubblegum pop and good old fashioned rock and roll, with some choral work tying it together.

The society’s director, Michael Pearson, said the production will mark a historic chapter for the company. He said:

“This is set to be a major event for The Bentley in its very proud 100-year-plus history in Merseyside as it makes it returns home to the Epstein. The society performed for nearly 50 years at ‘The Neptune’ as it was called and even gave the last performance before its closure in 2005 so it’s a huge deal that we’re returning.

Last year’s production of Made in Dagenham was a huge success bringing audiences to their feet and we look forward to following it up with a sensational large cast production of this Lloyd Webber classic”.

The musical, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is a fabulous fun filled show with a host of well known songs that are guaranteed to get audiences dancing in the aisles and singing along.

Filled with both subtle and slapstick humour, Elliot Tutt takes on the titular character, along with a first for this production having three narrators played by local musical talents Kizzy Leigh, Sarah Chidlow and Sally Allcock all supported by a large cast, which includes a brilliant troupe of young dancers.

Tickets are £20 each and you can either book tickets via the Epstein Theatre booking online at https://www.epsteintheatre.co.uk/events/joseph-and-the-amazing-technicolor-dreamco or directly from the Society by telephoning 07503 334376 or by emailing: info@bentleyoperatic.co.uk.

What The Dog Said To The Harvest

This isn’t a story about plastic straws or bags for life, this is the tale of how we got to here, this is what the dog said to the harvest.

Tracing 400 years across multiple narratives, we confront the era of human displacement.

Lisa Luxx weaves poetry, fiction and memoir alongside critiques of Europe’s foundational philosophies. The inclusion of verbatim illustrates how climate crisis has long since arrived for Middle Eastern communities and the Global South, and leaves us asking how we can build towards a more progressive future across borders.

Jasmin Kent Rodgman’s installation and score blends sound art, contemporary x electronic music featuring field recordings, vocals, electric guitar, synths and percussion and surround sound.