theatre

10 Things To Do In The Liverpool City Region In August

Posted on 29/07/2024 | by Uncover

Schools out for summer and we’ve picked out 10 things to do in the Liverpool city region in August. From art exhibitions and theatre performances to music festivals and creative workshops, there’s plenty to get excited about this August. Highlights include Brickworks at Tate Liverpool + RIBA North, where the humble brick is celebrated in a captivating display, and the poignant play I Am Steven Gerrard comes to the Royal Court Liverpool.

Art enthusiasts can explore Into The Wyld at Williamson Art Gallery, while Liverpool Cathedral hosts the groundbreaking exhibition Anish Kapoor: Monadic Singularity.

For those looking to get hands-on, Bluecoat and the Museum of Liverpool offer a range of creative workshops. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn about bee conservation with Andrea Ku, or catch Pokey LaFarge’s live performance at the Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room. The month wraps up with the lively Future Now Festival in Birkenhead and a family-friendly adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin at The Atkinson.

Tate Liverpool - Brickworks - Credit Tamas St. Auby (Szentjoby) — Tate Liverpool – Brickworks. Credit Tamas St. Auby (Szentjoby)

1. Brickworks, Tate Liverpool + RIBA North (31 July – 12 Jan ’25)

The humble brick becomes the hero in Brickworks, a new display featuring works from the Tate collection at the gallery space at RIBA North, showcasing the transformative power of bricks in art.

Additionally, running alongside the Brickworks exhibition there will be free hands-on creative workshops for families of all ages with Arty-Texture. Explore the ‘Brickworks Den’ where you can fun constructing, building, cutting, gluing, tracing, stamping your own brick-inspired creations.

2. I Am Steven Gerrard, Royal Court Liverpool (1 – 3 August)

I Am Steven Gerrard is a story of football, aspiration, music, Steven Gerrard, loneliness, reality television, love, religion, friends, loss, passion, enemies, Davina McCall, politics, ambition, family, virginity, past generations – and the impact they leave behind.

3. Into The Wyld, Williamson Art Gallery (2 August – 21 December)

Material Matters presents Into the Wyld: a festival of contemporary art at the Williamson Art Gallery & Museum exploring the continuing legacy of the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and its unique connection to the Wirral. Into the Wyld also features work from over 20 invited artists across the region, plus an associated five month programme of performance art, poetry readings, children’s workshops, film screenings and a symposium.

© Anish-Kapoor - All rights reserved — © Anish-Kapoor – All rights reserved

4. Anish Kapoor: Monadic Singularity, Liverpool Cathedral (10 August – 15 September)

To celebrate its, Liverpool Cathedral will present an exciting, UK-first exhibition by the internationally acclaimed British-Indian sculptor Anish Kapoor. Kapoor is renowned for his iconic works, such as Cloud Gate in Chicago and the Orbit Tower at the Olympic Stadium in London. Monadic Singularity contemplates key moments in life: birth, marriage, and death, with the exhibition taking visitors on a journey through the Cathedral’s spaces, including a large-scale installation in the Well, a stunning reminder of our existence on Earth.

5. Creative Workshops At Bluecoat (Throughout August)

Unleash your creative side and try something new this summer with Bluecoat’s creative workshops covering a variety of sessions with Summer Botanical Cyanotype Workshop (3 Aug), Introduction to Copper Sulphate Etching (10 Aug), Introduction to UV Screen Printing (17 Aug), Back To School Print Party (31 Aug) and Complete Monoprinting (31 Aug).

6. Craft At The Museum, Museum of Liverpool (9 – 15 August)

Museum of Liverpool will host two Craft at The Museum sessions this August with Liverpool Album Covers (9 – 11 Aug), where families can find out about famous record album covers from Liverpool musicians and create your own. In their second session children can learn about and make their own Victorian toy Victorian Toys (13 -15 Aug).

7. Save the bees! But which bees need saving? Find out with Andrea Ku! (17 August)

Discover the fascinating world of bees with local artist and beekeeper Andrea Ku in this informative session. Learn about the over 270 bee species in Britain, from honey bees to bumblebees and solitary bees, and find out which bees need saving.

Andrea will bring an observational hive from her Liverpool apiary, providing a unique opportunity to see a bee colony in action and learn to identify different castes. Gain insights into beekeeping and potential careers in the field. This free event, primarily for ages 16-24, welcomes all visitors on a first-come basis.

8. Pokey LaFarge, Liverpool Philharmonic Music Room (20 August)

Join Illinois native Pokey LaFarge as he debuts his latest album, Rhumba Country, a vibrant fusion inspired by the soul of Californian shores and distant locales like Africa and Latin America. Since his 2006 independent debut Marmalade, LaFarge has carved a niche in the blues and folk scene, with his journey taking him from Nashville to Los Angeles, and finally to Mid-Coast Maine. Rhumba Country reflects his newfound creativity, blending mambo, tropicália, rocksteady, and mid-century American rock-and-roll. Experience this kaleidoscopic sound live in an intimate show celebrating life and love.

9. Future Now Festival, Birkenhead (24 – 25 August)

Future Now Festival will take over Birkenhead on the bank holiday weekend, with 60 bands and artists performing on five stages across four venues around the Hamilton Square area. Alt-experimental pop/rock band Everything Everything will headline Birkenhead Town Hall on Saturday night with Nadine Shah closing the show headlining the Town Hall on Sunday. Nubiyan Twist return to Future Yard to headline the Garden stage on Saturday and Birkenhead’s-own She Drew The Gun headlines outdoor on Sunday. Weekend and day tickets are available now.

10. Rumpelstiltskin, The Atkinson (31 August)

Altru Drama present this new adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin – perfect for the whole family. Betsy and her dad the Miller are struggling to make ends meet, but a chance meeting with the foolish and greedy King Jacob thrusts them into a world of weaving, spinning and gold. Can Betsy spin the gold and save herself? Of course not! But Rumpelstiltskin can! Suitable for children aged 3-11 and their families.

To discover even more events happening in August check out our What’s On Listings.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2024: Preview

Posted on 08/07/2024 | by Uncover

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival - Family Day — Liverpool Arab Arts Festival’s Family Day at Sefton Park Palm House

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival (LAAF) 2024 promises to be a vibrant and enriching celebration of Arab culture, arts, and heritage. Set against the backdrop of Liverpool’s rich cultural tapestry, this year’s festival offers a diverse programme of events that includes music, dance, film, visual arts, literature, and engaging discussions. Running from 12 – 21 July, LAAF 2024 is set to captivate audiences with a blend of traditional and contemporary Arab artistic expressions. Here’s a preview of some of the highlights of this year’s festival.

Port Cities (12 – 20 July)

The Liverpool Arab Arts Festival will celebrate Liverpool’s unique identity; a city, with a global community and brimming with artistry, that looks outwards across the world. Highlighting the importance of this shared humanity, Port Cities, a brand-new visual arts project in partnership with British Council – MENA, will premiere newly commissioned artwork by four internationally renowned Arab artists exploring the social, historical and cultural links between Liverpool and the Arab region.

Port Cities symposium (15 July)

Join LAAF for an immersive day featuring talks, performances and screenings led by Port Cities artists Mohamed Abdelkarim, Laila Hida, Nadia Kaabi-Linke, Siska, and featuring special guests. Delve into the themes and concepts that have inspired their work for the project. Find out more here.

Slow Listening (12 – 21 July)

As part of the Port Cities project, Slow Listening is an initiative inviting you to pause and immerse yourself in the unique sounds of port cities around the world.

Port cities possess a unique identity and culture, reflected in their distinctive soundscapes. In Liverpool, the distant horns of ships, the cries of seagulls, and the gentle lapping of the River Mersey form the sonic backdrop of daily life. Each port city has its own auditory signature, offering a deeper understanding of its character.

Experience the sounds of Liverpool, Alexandria, Tripoli, Casablanca, and Tunis from wherever you are. Whether you are in Liverpool, one of the other participating cities, on the east coast of America, or the west coast of Africa, tune in to the sounds of these port cities to discover how they shape their cultural identity.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2024 - Yalla Neحky storytelling with Hadi Badi Books — Yalla Neحky storytelling with Hadi Badi Books

Literature

Yalla Neحky storytelling with Hadi Badi Books (13 July)

Liverpool Central Library will host this storytelling workshop with Yalla Neحky on Saturday, 13 July with arts and crafts activity for children aged 4 – 8.

Janette Ayachi: Exploring Heritage Through Poetry (17 July)

London-born Edinburgh-based Scottish-Algerian poet, Janette Ayachi, will read from her outstanding second collection Quick Fire, Slow Burning, published in May 2024 in partnership with the University of Liverpool’s Centre for New and International Writing.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2024 - Oranges and Stones — Oranges and Stones

Talk / Workshop

Alia & Dani, in one another’s presence (13 July)

If freedom were a verb, how would we manifest it in our day-to-day? Especially as we swim against a tide of erasure and silencing in our attempts to uphold dignity, where do we find the resource to keep going? Join performance-maker Dani Abulhawa and Artistic Director and CEO of Shubbak Alia Alzougbi as they sit together with participants to imagine our potential futures through attending to our feelings as individuals, and in dialogue with each other as a form of collective care and sense making. Find out more here.

Oranges & Stones (18 July)

Oranges & 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.

Now more needed than ever, Oranges & Stones was 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.

Marina Barham: A Voice for Theatre and Culture in Palestine (18 July)

Marina Barham, General Director of Al-Harah Theatre in Bethlehem Palestine, brings a voice from the theatre and performing arts sector in Palestine through the story of Al Harah Theatre and its work in the West Bank. Marina will be speaking at the festival about the current situation in Palestine and the role of theatre in helping children, young people and the community overcome trauma. She hopes it will provide an opportunity for Liverpool audiences to hear firsthand from a Palestinian activist in the cultural sector and to support the establishment of new partnerships and collaborations.

Chambers of the Heart (19 – 20 July)

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.

Comedy

Arabs Are Not Funny (13 July)

Widely regarded as one of the hottest comedy nights among the Arab community and beyond, Arabs Are Not Funny! sees comedians with roots in the Arab world showcasing their talents.

Comedy workshop with Maria Shehata (13 July)

Award-winning comedian Maria Shehata will deliver a comedy workshop for those keen to try their hand at stand-up. Attendees will learn how to develop a funny story, generate ideas, and make it their own.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2024 - At Home In Gaza and London — At Home In Gaza and London

Film

Arab Film Night: At The Library x LAAF (14 July)

LAAF join forces with At The Library for a special summer evening of Arab film at the Plaza Community Cinema in Waterloo, with films chosen by founder of The Arab Film Club, Sarah Agha, and women from The Colour of Pomegranates group. See details about the films being screened here.

At Home In Gaza and London (15 July)

The festival will host a special fundraising screening of At Home in Gaza and London at Bluecoat on Monday 15 July. In 2016, a group of artistic collaborators in Gaza and London began a series of digital workshops as an alternative means to defy the blockade. This special screening of the performance in Liverpool will include messages from Gazan contributors, with all proceeds going to the project collaborators in Gaza trying to survive unimaginable circumstances.

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2024 - The Ayoub Sisters — The Ayoub Sisters

Music

The Ayoub Sisters (20 July)

Award-winning instrumental duo The Ayoub Sisters present an evening of live music including songs from their critically acclaimed album, Arabesque.

Scottish/Egyptian instrumentalists and composers, The Ayoub Sisters rose to stardom after their debut album premiered at No.1 in the Official Classical Charts. The sisters are recognised internationally for their chemistry on stage, as well as their ability to unite different musical genres and cultures together through their unique compositional style.

Family Day (21 July)

Taking place on the final day of Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, The Family Day is a celebratory showcase. A moment of togetherness and community, Sefton Park’s Palm House will play host to a free afternoon of music, performance, authentic Arab culture, food and drink. There will be over 20 stalls featuring authentic crafts, traders and so much more. Family Day is an unmissable highlight in Liverpool’s cultural calendar.

To find out more about Liverpool Arab Arts Festival visit arabartsfestival.com/2024-festival

Theatre For All: Accessibility And Inclusivity On The Big Stage

Posted on 07/08/2023 | by Uncover

By Codi Jacques

Theatre has the remarkable ability to transport us to different worlds, evoke powerful emotions, and connect us with diverse stories. However, for individuals with disabilities, experiencing the magic of live performances hasn’t always been easily accessible.

Fortunately, the global movement towards inclusivity has led to significant improvements in accessibility, making theatre shows more welcoming and enjoyable for everyone. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of accessibility in theatre shows, with a particular focus on British Sign Language (BSL) performances and other inclusive practices.

With theatres and theatre companies really expanding their inclusivity, performances across the Liverpool city region are more accessible than ever. With many shows at notable venues offering relaxed performances and BSL signed performances, amongst other offerings; maybe it finally is your time to enjoy some theatre in a way that works for you!

The Significance of Accessibility In Theatre

Breaking Barriers

Accessibility in theatre removes barriers that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully engaging with the performances. It allows everyone to participate in and appreciate the art form, promoting a sense of belonging and inclusivity.

Representation Matters

Theatre plays a crucial role in reflecting and shaping society. By embracing accessibility, theatre shows can portray the diverse experiences and stories of disabled individuals, fostering understanding and empathy among audiences.

How Theatres Are Becoming Accessible & Inclusive

British Sign Language (BSL) Performances

Bridging Communication Gaps

BSL performances provide a platform for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals to engage fully with the production. With skilled BSL interpreters translating the dialogue and songs into sign language, the performances become accessible and inclusive for the deaf community.

Promoting Inclusivity

BSL performances not only benefit deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals but also raise awareness among the wider audience about the importance of accessibility. This helps break down social barriers and encourages a more inclusive society.

Assistive Technologies and Services

Audio Description

Audio description is a service that provides individuals with visual impairments or blindness with a live or recorded narration of the visual aspects of a performance. Through detailed descriptions of actions, expressions, and scenes, audio description allows these individuals to fully engage with the show.

Captioning and Subtitling

Captioning and subtitling services are vital for individuals with hearing impairments or those who may struggle with accents or language barriers. By displaying the dialogue and sound effects in real-time, captioning ensures that the performance is accessible to a broader range of audience members.

Inclusive Design

Physical Accessibility

Theatre venues are increasingly focusing on making their spaces physically accessible, ensuring ramps, elevators, and seating areas are designed with mobility and accessibility in mind. This enables individuals using wheelchairs or mobility aids to navigate the venue easily and comfortably.

Sensory-Friendly Performances

Some theatre companies offer sensory-friendly performances designed specifically for individuals with sensory sensitivities, such as those on the autism spectrum. These performances often involve reduced volume levels, adjusted lighting, and designated quiet spaces, creating a more inclusive and comfortable environment for everyone to enjoy.

Accessibility & Inclusivity Within Liverpool Theatres

Within the Royal Court, Liverpool Empire, Everyman and Playhouse theatres, accessibility has developed vastly post-covid. At all these venues, there are disabled seating that is wheelchair accessible, and many touring shows and in house shows now offer at least one BSL signed performance per run. During Panto seasons, events such as relaxed performances are offered for those with tendencies to overstimulate in typical performances. A recent YEP performance (Young Everyman Playhouse), This is Not a Crime, the performance contained a screen that was a transcription of the entire performance. This was just like having subtitles on for your TV, but in a theatre setting. I hope more performances adopt this for all shows in future.

The directors of This is Not a Crime were the Liverpool based company Ugly Bucket Theatre, whom have strived for accessible theatre and inclusivity in all of their works. Their performance of Stuffed provided audiences with a pre-show meal, and even offered noise canceling headphones amongst other accessories for those who needed them. No one was forgotten by Ugly Bucket in creating an accessible show, and there was no separation for the people who need accessibility. A true definition of inclusion.

Unity Theatre offer Unity Online, a platform filled with the theatre’s top picks and more, meaning getting to the theatre doesn’t have to be an impossible task. Continuing this platform post-covid means that those who cannot travel to the theatre can still appreciate the magic from home.

It is typical for theatres to have a dedicated page on their websites for accessibility, making all information easy to find when needed:

Everyman and Playhouse Theatres
Accessibility information

Liverpool Empire
Accessibility information

Royal Court Theatre
Accessibility information

Unity Theatre
Accessibility information

Hope Street Theatre
Accessibility information

By embracing accessibility in theatre shows, we foster a more inclusive society where the magic of live performances is accessible to everyone. Through initiatives such as BSL performances, assistive technologies, inclusive design, and community engagement, theatre companies can create environments that celebrate diversity and promote a sense of belonging for all audience members. So let’s continue to support and advocate for accessibility in theatre, ensuring that the transformative power of the performing arts is available to everyone.

Therefore, accessibility in Liverpool for theatre is becoming more common, making theatres less daunting for those requiring access needs. Always check for accessibility before booking tickets for a show, as there very well may be a performance more suited to you, making your experience of the magic of theatre even better.

Have we missed anything in this article? Let us know! Get in touch with Clare at clare@culture.org.uk. We strive to make our features as inclusive as possible, so we’re keen to hear your suggestions.

Tag: theatre