Event type: Theatre

7:30pm
From the Producers of The Hammer and Helena and Kitty: Queen of the Washhouse, Artsgroupie return with a tale of winter terror, an acclaimed adaptation of the much-loved Charles Dickens supernatural classic, The Signalman

“As solitary a place as ever I saw…It struck a chill to me, as if I had left the natural world.”

 A ghostly figure has visited the signalman twice already, each time preceding a terrible disaster. When the apparition appears for the third time, it’s up to the signalman to decode its meaning and prevent another catastrophe.

A gripping slice of gothic horror from Charles Dickens, regarded as the greatest horror story ever written.

In the tradition of classic oral storytelling, a lantern and two players is all that is needed to tell the spine tingling tale of the Signalman.

“The Signalman is a powerful and haunting story about survivor’s guilt and isolation – something we believe will be of striking relevance to our audience following the pandemic. Our inability to control events around us can be more frightening than any ghost, as Dickens knew well. He wrote from experience, a survivor of the Staplehurst railway disaster – events that both inspired and haunted the author.”

David Griffiths, Writer and Director

ArtsGroupie CIC blends its acclaimed portrayal of historical events with a dramatic and frightening narrative worthy of their annual sell out performances of Ghost Stories for Christmas, which have been featured in the New York Times.

ArtsGroupie CIC aims to promote and provide access to the arts, particularly in areas with limited access, and to champion North West talent.

They develop and tour their own theatre and music productions.
Facilitate educational workshops in creative writing for both adults and children.
Offer heritage walking tours, such as the “Liver Bird Safari” and “William Roscoe Tour”, to raise funds for community initiatives.
Deliver free community events, including workshops, exhibitions, and performances.
Producing and promoting work that champions women, working class stories, and the LGBTQA+ community.

www.artgroupie.org

David Griffiths

David Griffiths is a writer and director from Liverpool. His plays Excess Baggage (“unmistakably authentic” Liverpool Echo) and Saving Grace (“brilliantly scripted… It’s impossible to fault a play that’s conceived and brought about with such sophistication” Fringe Guru) were originally written for Liverpool’s Write Now Festival before transferring to Edinburgh, Buxton and Camden. He recently directed an adaption of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty Four (“a powerful production” North West End) and is currently collaborating with ArtsGroupie CIC on their annual Ghost Stories For Christmas.

6:00pm
 

Claire has been told to ‘go back home’ countless times, but where is home for them? An African island they’ve only visited once? Their parents’ unrecognisable house, falling apart in an increasingly gentrified London borough? Between memories of their childhood home, shaded by parental mental health difficulties; and memories of Liverpool, laced with dead friends and racial abuse, Claire doesn’t know if they’ll ever feel truly rooted. This darkly comic solo show celebrates intersectional identities, marginalised communities, and the unconventional ways that we find home.

Creative:

Claire Beerjeraz: Writer, Performer, Co-Director

Marcella Rick: Co-Director

Eleanor Randle: Movement Director

www.clairebeerjeraz.com

Stella is a high-octane, one-act comedy that brings to life the whirlwind journey of a young woman navigating her early twenties in and around the vibrant streets of Liverpool. Written by Robert Farquhar and performed by the dynamic Kalli Tant, this fast-paced solo show is a masterclass in multi-rolling, with the actor seamlessly portraying everyone from family to strangers—each character adding depth and complexity to Stella’s world.

Stella is a sharp-witted, restless soul, trapped in a turbulent relationship with her distant father and a constant search for meaning. Her inability to say no often lands her in absurd and chaotic situations, while her tough exterior masks a deeper vulnerability. Set against the backdrop of Liverpool’s bustling cityscape, the play moves through lively scenes that highlight both her independence and isolation. With relentless energy, Stella questions life, love, and her own identity, all while refusing to settle.

Directed by Chris Tomlinson, Stella is a compelling exploration of youth, self-discovery, and the fierce drive to keep going, no matter what. Wildly funny, brutally honest, and relentlessly real, Stella is a show that gurantees to keep you laughing and gasping in equal measure!

The Team 

Robert Farquhar – Writer

Kalli Tant – Performer

Chris Tomlinson – Director

6-8pm

Free for Creative’pool subscribers when you book a ticket to see Graeae’s production of Bad Lads. Workshop spaces limited.

This workshop explores the challenges when writing a living person’s narrative. We will explore the responsibility, sensitivity of the process and the emotional complexity of writing people’s stories.

Each person will share a short segment of their lives and then write the starting point for writing a segment they have heard from another person. We will encourage people only share what they feel comfortable with as we move through the process.

ACCESS The workshop is held in a wheelchair accessible space and is audio described and BSL interpreted. Any materials will also be provided also standard, large print, and easy read formats.

If you have access requirements not covered here, please email jodi@graeae.org upon booking to discuss how else we can support you to participate.