Event type: Theatre

Booster Cushion Theatre Presents: Big ...

Everything is in disguise and the story goes into the skies with this comical retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This comical story is retold through a massive 6ft tall book complete with pop ups and props coming out of the book!

Big Goldilocks wanders off from her parents into the forest but soon gets lost, getting hungry, grumpy and tired. The forest animals decide to escape before she gets even more grumpy on an Animal Rescue Centre which flies high throughout the skies! Goldilocks arrives at the Three Bears house for a big bowl of cereal but soon it’s up to the audience to help scare her away…

This family-friendly show is suitable for children aged 4 and over

Please book a ticket for each child who will be attending. They ask that only one adult accompanies each group of children as spaces are limited.

Lifestyle Choice? My A**e!

Following on from their success last year with “They All Came Tumbling Down” a play about the struggle to knock down the notorious Netherley Flats, Valley Theatre are continuing their tradition of staging entertaining plays with a social edge with their latest production: “Lifestyle Choice? My A**e!”

The play, written by Steve Bird and Tom Mclennan, is a humorous response to Suella Braverman’s controversial claim that rough sleepers actually prefer to sleep out on the streets. It follows the story of Jody, who goes looking for her ex- Soldier father in the streets of Liverpool with the help of a charity Outreach Worker.

But be prepared for a lot of laughter and song as well as some hard-hitting drama about this increasingly worrying trend in our cities and towns.

As Matt Downie of the charity Crisis says: “Right now we’re in a perfect storm: sky-high rents, a dire shortage of affordable housing, and increased living costs are pushing more people onto the streets. For thousands this means long nights of trying to stay safe, moving from night bus to night bus, or bedding down in a noisy doorway where sleep is all but impossible.”

“Lifestyle Choice? My A**e” is at Valley Community Theatre (Liverpool L27 3YA)  on Friday 26th & Sunday 28th July, 7.30pm. 

More details and tickets from info@valleytheatre.co.uk or www.valleytheatre.co.uk

Rita, Sue & Bob Too!

TV favourite Jake Quickenden heads the stellar cast as Bob in the production. Jake will be joined by Hollyoaks’ Jessica Ellis as Michelle, Shameless and Coronation Street’s Warren Donnelly as Dad, Britain’s Got Talent’s Siobhan Phillips as Mum, Kay Nicholson as Rita and Jenna Sian O’Hara as Sue.

The play tells the story of Rita and Sue, two working class girls from a rundown council estate who are about to finish their final year at school. In their spare time, they earn money babysitting for married couple Bob and Michelle. Behind Michelle’s back, Bob embarks on an affair with both Rita and Sue, who take it in turns with him in his car in the countryside. Michelle eventually finds out and leaves lothario Bob.

When Bob later develops a preference for Rita, the two girls fall out but when Sue ends up in an abusive relationship, the trio are reunited.

The Boy King

On his lunch break, Jordan can’t help sneaking into the museum store room to explore…but it’s not long before he’s carried away on an ancient expedition of immersive storytelling and imagination.

An autobiographical, vibrant and educational one man show celebrating 100 years since the discovery of Tutenkhamun’s Tomb. Get to know The Boy King, the team who excavated his tomb and Jordan – A boy whose love of history transformed his life growing up with Autism.

Packed with playful characters, fun and facts, this relaxed performance is perfect for families, lovers of history and Neurodivergent audiences.

Running time: 45 minutes
Recommended: Age 7+
Pay what you decide: £3+
Relaxed performance: Low lighting will be kept in the auditorium. Feel free to move around, make noise and leave and re-enter as necessary.

The Nova Effect 2124

“Don’t press that big red button!”
…

“I pressed the big red button.”

When Mr Peter’s science class accidentally travels 100 years into the future, they end up in a world where the line between human and robot is blurred.

This tech world glitters with bright new gadgets and the class is buzzing to explore!

But between annoying AdBots, daily reports of extreme weather, and extinctions, something’s not quite right.

Will the class make it home? Are robots and humans all that different? What does it even mean to be human?

Join 20 Stories High Youth Theatre for a funny, adrenaline-driven adventure with lots of live music, stunning projections, movement, and drama! Supported by Unity Theatre.

Their Friday 26 July show will feature a Curtain Raiser from the boss young people from Deaf Active. Friday’s show will finish later as a result.

There will also be a Post-Show Party after Friday’s show!

Credits

Director & Writer: Bradley Thompson

Producer: Nathan Powell

Dramaturg: Keith Saha

Video Design & Creative Captions: Sarah Readman

Music Support: Paislie Reid

Movement Support: Eli Randle

Lighting Design & Technician: Xenia Bayer

Stage Manager: Jordan Barnes

Youth & Access worker: Donna Coleman

Pastoral Support Workers: Leonisha Barley & Catherine Ainsworth

Work Placement Student: Jess Cowie

Supported by the 20 Stories High and Unity Team.

Wirral Theatre Festival

If you love interesting theatre and want to support local writing join them this August at the Wirral Theatre Festival!

There will be workshops and Q&A’s on the creative process as well as events spotlighting Wirral’s cultural heritage and ongoing contribution to the dramatic arts – past, present and future.

The festival programme includes:

Wednesday 28 August

Big Bunny & the Powers of Fort Perch Rock (1pm)

Do you have what it takes to defeat the mystical powers of Fort Perch Rock? Join Big Bunny & the gang in this fun-filled family adventure and find out!

We’ll Meet Again (2.45pm)

A family story of a young girl evacuated from Liverpool during World War II. We see her adventures and troubles in Wrexham whilst also learning about what life was like back in the city with letters home to her dad.

The Seagull in the Attic / Remember When (4.30pm)

This is a double-bill: The Seagull in the Attic – A woman who finds solace in the unlikely company of a Seagull.
Remember When – A comical look at an ordinary couple on a walk, putting the world to rights and reminiscing on what they consider better times.

Hairy B (6pm)

A play about self-love, self-loathing – and how bloody expensive razors are.

I Am Purple (7pm)

When you are shamed from a young age, you start to believe what they say about you. And then who’s the enemy? Is it still them? Or is it you!?

The Comedy With A Censored Title (8pm)

An autobiographical one woman comedy investigating the wonders and pitfalls of growing up in the thick of America’s Bible Belt.

Cal and the Big C (9pm)

A comedy of navigating the byways of life when the worst happens, the absurdities, tears and triumphs of facing down an unseen enemy. What happens when real life comes crashing in, uninvited and invasive? Call in Edwardian drag performer Hetty King to help of course!

Thursday 29 August

The Wirral Monster (1pm)

There are marshmallows and Maltesers, and monster stories to tell. But more and more as things get strange and their favourite things are plundered; could there be some truth to these tall tales, could there be, we wonder…

TRAPPED in Williamson Art Gallery (2.45pm)

A group of friends think it’ll be a great idea to hide in the gallery and sleepover. After dodging security and the building being locked down the friends begin to explore. Darkness soon gets the better of them, and they decide to tell some tales to keep themselves from being scared. Will they survive the night, and more importantly, will they set off all the alarms?

Ukrainian Kaleidoscope (4.30pm)

A celebration of Ukrainian Culture. This is a free ticketed event, but donations will be gratefully received with a portion going to a Ukrainian charity.

Spin the Imperfect (5.30pm)

Staring into the abyss…how low would you go to save you career?

The Reunion Polly (7.15pm)

is on her way to a reunion at the Floral Pavilion. After being cut up by another driver, they find themselves stranded by the roadside. With deep references to Jane Eyre can these two lost souls, reconnect from a love they thought they once had.

Date Night (9pm)

Jenna feels trapped, James feels lost, Sonny needs a break and Sheila just wants to be loved. When all these worlds collide, mayhem ensues. These four people were never meant to meet, but fate brought them all together. Date Night is all about love, betrayal, joy, meatballs, but most of all… the need to just communicate!

Friday 30 August

Spooky Tales (2.45pm)

Your favourite tale could be your worst nightmare… It’s never too early to start the Halloween Frights. This is a great story but is aimed at 10 years and over!

Stage-Ed West End Holiday Camp Highlights (4.30pm)

Highlights from the Stage-ed West End Holiday Camp at the Floral Pavilion. Featuring West End smash hits, a section from Blood Brothers, and a Comedy Sketch written by the performers. This is a free ticketed event, but donations will be gratefully received to be reinvested into the festival for next year.

The Appointment (5.30pm)

You know how it is when you look in the mirror and you know you have to do something. It was 1955 and he was living his best life. He loved the glamour, and he loved helping women. If you look better you feel better. He never thought he could make things worse, or that there’d be no happy ending.

Tangled Roots (7.15pm)

Can love bloom amongst so many dangerous thorns in this Elizabethan Drama set in Bidston Hall? The right to succession is in question, and an Earldom is at stake. In the midst of this, there is a quiet love to be found in a timeless act of service. History will say they were roommates. This play is based on true events.

The Island (9pm)

25 years ago, a small group of scientists sealed themselves away on a mysterious Island – together you will embark on your voyage to The Island.

The School of Night at Shakespeare Nor...

In the 16th century, The School Of Night was an underground sect of artists, thinkers, writers and spies, who some scholars believe wrote Shakespeare’s plays.

Revived for the 21st century in 2005, this heretical troupe has risen to the challenge of Hard Bardics: improvising lost masterpieces, summoning the muses and channelling the great poets and playwrights of the past.

The School’s unique blend of improvisation and mad exploration has been seen in Germany, Norway, Malaysia and Canada; at the National Theatre, the Royal Court, the RSC and the Edinburgh Festival.

With their trademark soft boots and tea cosies they will spin new tales in Chaucerian, tell fairytales in the style of any writer, and rediscover one of Shakespeare’s lost plays before disappearing back into the darkness.

Two one-off performances made on the spot just for Prescot.

YEP presents: A Monster Calls

‘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.

Chambers of the Heart

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

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.