Interest area: culture

What’s Your Story? Gambia

Nazeem (currently on a tour of the UK) will visit Liverpool for a special screening of the project and a performance of music

Writing on the Wall have delivered their flagship What’s Your Story Project with communities across the North West of England for the past fifteen years – from unemployed people, to the LGBTQI+ community, asylum seekers, refugees, and many more, this amazing project has inspired hundreds of participants to develop creative work.

To celebrate their 21st anniversary, WoW have taken What’s Your Story on an international journey and have been working with communities and artists in the Gambia to create a very special piece of work. Writing on the Wall’s What’s Your Story? project has been delivered at Brikama Presentation School, the Gambia, in partnership with singer- songwriter Nazeem and Dr Vicki Doyle who through their company Dole Ndawi NGO, engage directly with young people to foster their development and resilience.

Twelve school children aged 14-20 attended a series of writing workshops designed to produce their poetry, letters and essays. Nazeem (currently on a tour of the UK) will visit Liverpool for a special screening of the project and a performance of music inspired by the work of the young participants. He will also be in-conversation, sharing his inspiring journey and his own story of life in the Gambia.

Nazeem’s style of music reflects his roots and culture; influenced by a 2-year residency in Senegal where he supported musicians such as jazzman Vieux Mac Faye, Wolof pop singer Viviane Chidid and guitarist Jeannott Mendy. Nazeem plays an infectious blend of Afro Pop, Zouk, Reggae, Dancehall and Mbalax.

Since the start of the pandemic, Nazeem has actively supported the COVID-19 response through sensitising Gambian communities through music videos and song; and on a world stage regularly performed at global fora. This event is an opportunity for community members to experience and engage with the important work and global partnerships WoW have created, especially with the wider African Diaspora, during Black History Month.

There are a number of free tickets available for those on a low income. Please email info@writingonthewall.org.uk to request.

Lutyens Crypt visitor exhibition

Following 18 months of closure, one of Liverpool’s architectural hidden gems has reopened its doors. The Lutyens Crypt is launching a brand new exhibition, co-curated by the local community and developed through lockdown.

The Crypt, buried deep under the Metropolitan Cathedral, is all that remains of towering plans for a cathedral for Liverpool, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in 1930. It was due to become the largest cathedral in the world, but the project was abandoned after the Second World War.

With four vast neo-classical halls featuring intricate brickwork, leadlight windows and vaulted ceilings, the Crypt is an unexpected and ambitious contrast to the striking, modernist cathedral that now sits above it. The dramatic space is often referred to as ‘Liverpool’s third cathedral’.

Members of the public can once again visit the atmospheric Lutyens Crypt – which now includes a permanent exhibition exploring its fascinating story and the cathedral-that- never- was. Co-curated by members of the local community Secrets of the Crypt takes visitors back through hundreds of years of history to discover the people and stories behind this astonishing space, including:

• Apprentice bricklayer 19 year-old Arthur Brady, who was the only man left working on the crypt when his colleagues were called up to fight in WWII. Once he was called up, construction came to a standstill for 15 years.

• The crypt as a focal point for celebration and sadness in the city. It became an air-raid shelter for local people during WWII; and later saw more than 1 million people turning out for the visit of the Pope in 1982 and an outdoor Mass for more than 9,000 people on 16 April 1989, the day after the Hillsborough disaster.

The exhibition forms part of the National Lottery Heritage Funded Metropolitan Perspectives project, which connects members of the local community with heritage and creative professionals to create a range of exciting new visitor experiences within the Grade II* listed Cathedral.

Volunteer and local resident Debi Eastwood says, “I’d not visited the Cathedral before starting this project, but I’ve loved learning about its fascinating history. As part of the project we attended workshops and training days, and spent time in the Cathedral archives. It’s amazing to think that things we discovered have made it into the final exhibition. I’ve made friends and learned so much thanks to this project.”

The second phase of the project – a brand new immersive audio tour of the Cathedral – will launch in mid-October.

Entrance to the Crypt also includes access to the Crypt’s glittering Treasury, which contains a priceless collection of church artefacts and sacred vessels – the largest of such kind in the North West.

The Lutyens Crypt is open Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm. Tickets are priced at £5 and can be purchased from the Cathedral welcome desk. For more information visit www.liverpoolmetrocathedral.org.uk or email enquiries@metcathedral.org.uk.

Spring Awakening

Warrington based First Act, will be bringing Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s award-winning musical Spring Awakening to The Hope Street Theatre in a fresh and vibrant new production.

Based on the 1891 German by Frank Wedekind, Spring Awakening tells the story of teenagers discovering the inner and outer tumult of adolescent sexuality. Set in mid-19th-century Germany, the musical, with its alternative and folk-infused rock score, explores oppression, freedom, teenage angst, and the dangers of hiding the truth.

First Act launched in 2017 with a simple vision: create acting classes for young performers which developed skill, technique, and talent; an acting school where theatre education is the primary goal.

Since its incorporation First Act have been delivering curriculum-based classes where students from Warrington, Halton and St Helens can explore, a wide variety of theatre and musical theatre-based classes in a fun and safe environment.  A place where they can learn, engage, develop, and inspire each other.

Spring Awakening will be directed by Kit Phillips, with Choreography from Ceris Shadwell and Musical Direction Ashley Walsh. The company will feature: Jack Wright (Melchoir), India Poulaud (Wendla), Isaac Harthill (Moritz), Poppy Williams (Ilse), Toby Holmes (Hanschen), Jake Burke (Ernst), Olivia Hebden (Martha), Harvey Farrell (Georg), Jess Ratcliffe (Anna), Daniel Wilson (Otto), Isobel Green (Thea), Amy Groves (Ina) alongside an adult company of actors including: Seb Farrell, Neil Atherton, Abbie Rippon, Amanda Avery and Fabienne Dunbar.

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL (Europe)

SPRING AWAKENING can be booked through their website at www.hopestreettheatre.com or via telephone on 0344 561 0622

RITUALS

RITUALS is a new series of 3 films that explore the magical, yet real, power of ritualistic acts in the age of covid.

The dream-like films (Cleanse, Breath and Sanctuary) show hand-washing as a protective spell of love, the wishes we quietly make when we hold our breath, and the boundaries that must be invoked to dispel harm.

Liverpool-based artist and filmmaker Tom Shennan was commissioned to make the work during lockdown by Public Health Liverpool and COoL (Open Culture/Homotopia). He collaborated with dance artist and choreographer Shivaangee Agrawal to create the ritual movement sequences for the films.

The concept was developed with a group of young people in Liverpool over Zoom and they were able to film themselves at home to be included in the film. The action plays out within the confines of a computer screen mirroring the experience of young people under lockdown. The lead performances were shot on location at Wallasey Beach with a reduced crew.

To see more on the making of these films go to the artist’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tomshenn

Animal Farm

The animals of Manor Farm drive out the farmer and run the farm themselves. A revolution. And then what? Then freedom. Every animal will be free.

Old Major, the prize boar, calls the animals of Manor Farm together. He has had a strange dream of a better future.

The event is held Playhouse, 26-30 April 2022, 7.30pm. There are additional matinee shows 1.30pm, 28 April and 2pm, 30 April. See here for tickets.

George Orwell’s world-famous fable tells the story of a revolution and its aftermath. Re-imagined by an award-winning creative team, Animal Farm is a dynamic, daring and contemporary take on a timeless story.

Animal Farm is directed by Robert Icke, whose version of 1984 (co-adapted and directed with Duncan Macmillan) was a smash-hit in the West End and on Broadway. This brand new production features puppetry by Toby Olié (whose credits include War Horse, Running Wild and Goodnight Mister Tom) and is designed by four-time Olivier award-winner Bunny Christie.

The Children’s Theatre Partnership creates bold and imaginative theatre for young people, engaging new audiences and aiming to inspire a life-long love of theatre.

The Tiger Who Came To Tea

A musical play adapted and directed by David Wood, based on the book by Judith Kerr.

The event is held Liverpool Playhouse, 12-14 October, shows start 11am and 2pm. See here for tickets.

Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award nominated smash hit show, The Tiger Who Came to Tea returns on tour.

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be? What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big, stripy tiger!

Join the tea-guzzling tiger in this delightful family show; packed with oodles of magic, sing-a-long songs and clumsy chaos. Don’t miss this stunning stage adaptation of the classic tale of teatime mayhem… expect to be surprised!

Routes & Roots

A new festival comes to Liverpool this month and it includes the annual Katumba Halloween Carnival.

The events are held across L8 and L1, 16 – 31 October, various times/venues. See here for full details.

Routes & Roots will see two weeks of free family-friendly cultural, arts and wellbeing activities & events across Liverpool, created to celebrate Black History Month and to include the iconic annual carnival.

Every October, Liverpool drumming and movement troupe, Katumba holds events across L8 and L1 that culminate with the Katumba Halloween Carnival in Liverpool City Centre.

This year, Katumba is partnering with other organisations from the newly-formed BlaST network of Black and Brown Social Traders, including Cycle of Life and Centre of Development. Together, they’re delivering ‘Routes & Roots – Festival of the African Diaspora’ and they’re welcoming the whole community to join.

From drumming and dancing to lantern making; slavery tours and bike workshops to wellbeing, this is your chance to connect with the heritage, culture and wellbeing practices of people of the African Diaspora.

Line-Up:

Festival Opening Day
Saturday 16th October / 12 – 5pm
at The Bombed Out Church / St Luke’s
Dance, Drumming, Spoken Word, Slavery Tours, and more for all ages.

Community Workshops in L8 & Online
17th – 30th October
Samba, African & Afro-Brazilian Drumming, Capoeira, Cycling skills, Fitness, Yoga, and more!

Katumba Halloween Carnival & BlaST’s launch
31st October, 5pm – 9pm
at the Bombed Out Church, Church St and Liverpool One

Transforming the Liverpool City Centre into a playground of imagination, with pop up performances inspiring, and engaging audiences by creating big, bold, visual shows and performances through unexpected spectacle of drums, fire, lights, dance, theatre and more!

Luz

Homotopia Festival 2021 presents: Luz, in The Box at FACT.

Ruben and Carlos are cellmates. When Ruben struggles to learn the ropes of daily prison life, Carlos becomes a mentor and eventually a lover. The two men develop feelings for one another they can’t easily express.

After being released questions loom. What began as a friendship turns into a fierce romance in this heart-wrenching drama. LUZ is a story of survival, not only for the lives of both men, but for their relationship as it transitions to the world outside their cell.

Campbell X: DES!RE

Join Campbell X and friends for a Homotopia 2021 screening of DES!RE, followed by a panel discussion on trans masculine visibility and representation.

DES!RE by award-winning filmmaker Campbell X (Stud Life, VISIBLE, Spectrum London, Different for Girls, Still We Thrive) takes it’s visual influence from the homo-erotic photography of Bruce Weber and queers it further with a trans and feminist lens. It is in Black and White with a dreamy soundtrack by Campbell L Sangster and animation by Neelu Bhuman.

In queer culture there has been a shift to speaking about the complexities of desire. But there is very little discussion about actively desiring those bodies which blur gender boundaries and binaries.

Mainstream visual culture is still stuck in cis heteronormative capitalistic binary attractiveness – even for those who define as transgender. So there is a wealth of images of those trans mascs who approximate cis male embodiment. Butch women or those who reject womanhood who are not trans men are also not celebrated or “seen” especially in mainstream LGBTQ timelines.

DES!RE attempts to explore the desire for sameness and difference using the bodies of people of diverse ages and races, who were assigned female at birth, yet now identify as transmen, men, masculine of centre, butch, stud, non-binary and AG.

The dialogue between the images and the voice over by femme lesbian and bisexual women, transmen, and butch women subverts heteronormative understanding of love and lust for this queer masculinity. DES!RE celebrates while acknowledging the challenges for loving masculinity, maleness and manhood.

With local artists Felix Mufti-Wright and Campbell L Sangster.

13:30: Doors

14:00: Intro

14:10 Film

14:20 Q&A

Goldilocks And The Three Bears 

St Helens Theatre Royal’s brand-new Christmas panto has been officially launched.

Leading panto producers Regal Entertainments recently revealed its festive show is Goldilocks And The Three Bears with Hollyoaks actor David Tag leading the cast.

The spectacular seasonal production promises St Helens audiences a fantastic festive treat complete with madcap comedy capers and all the fun of the circus – including circus skills and stunts performed by cast members.

Goldilocks And The Three Bears will run at St Helens Theatre Royal from Friday 10 December 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022. Shows are held various times, including some matinee and morning performances.

Tickets are on sale now starting from £16. You can book here.