September - 2018

Archive

Easter Rising at heart of new Lizzie Nunnery play at Liverpool Irish Festival

The extreme events of the 1916 Easter Rising in Dublin form the backdrop to a relationship blown apart in Lizzie Nunnery’s latest play with songs, being staged as part of this year’s Liverpool Irish Festival. To Have to Shoot Irishmen, which comes to the Everyman from October 25-27, has been inspired by real people and real events of a century ago. It’s Easter morning and Gunshots ring out in the Dublin streets. In her suburban sitting-room Hanna prepares for revolution. Whil

Review: Aurora at Toxteth Reservoir *****

Most Liverpudlians aren’t even aware of its existence, but for more a than century Toxteth Reservoir helped keep the south of the city supplied with vital clean drinking water. The rectangular sandstone monolith could house up to two million gallons – although luckily for lucky ticket holders for this memorable multimedia experience, any liquid they might encounter remains at ankle depth. I say lucky because Aurora is a deserved sell-out for the rest of its run (sadly there a

Giant slumber party planned for St George's Hall

A huge hammock with a slumbering Little Boy Giant will appear in St George’s Hall today. His appearance marks the start of Liverpool’s Dream – the last time Royal de Luxe’s Giants will ever be seen on the public stage. People are being encouraged to turn up in fancy dress to see the 20ft tall Giant as he sleeps in the Great Hall, which will be open from noon to 11pm. No tickets are needed for the free event, but people should be prepared to queue to catch a first glimpse of t

Bombed Out Church becomes a Winter Wonderland

Liverpool’s Bombed Out church will be transformed in to a Winter Wonderland this Christmas. The festive grotto attraction at St Luke’s will be open between December 1 and 23. Booking for two-hour timeslots is open now. Families will be able to enjoy a host of activities inside the city landmark, including a special appointment with Santa during the experience. The ticket price will include Santa’s Workshop where youngsters can make their own bauble or Christmas card to take h

Review: The Lovely Bones at Liverpool Everyman ****

On the face of it, Alice Sebold’s complex 2002 novel about love, life – and death – doesn’t appear to be the easiest story to convert from page to physical drama. Peter Jackson gave it a stab in his supernatural film adaptation almost a decade ago, garnering a mixed reception from audiences and critics. Here this stage version, adapted by Bryony Lavery and premiered as a three-way co-production in association with the Everyman and Playhouse, marries fast-paced action with ins

River of Light returns to the Mersey for 2018

The River of Light firework extravaganza is set to return to the Mersey tonight. River of Light: The Elements in association with Royal Liver Building 360 is now in its third year, and also forms the finale of the China Dream season staged as part of Liverpool 2018. The jaw-dropping display - which starts at 6.30pm - comes from Titanium Fireworks, who entertained crowds who flocked to both sides of the river last year. An estimated 110,000 people saw the display. Fireworks wi

Liverpool's In Harmony to expand as it marks 10 years

Liverpool’s In Harmony project is celebrating its 10th anniversary this spring. And the RLPO has launched a fresh fundraising drive to help even more city children get the chance to experience the power and pleasure of playing music. The initiative, based on Venezuela’s life-changing El Sistema project, sees the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and its professional musicians using orchestral music-making to improve the health, education and aspirations of children and young peopl

View portraits differently in new Walker Art Gallery show

Portraits by artists including Frank Auerbach, Lord Leighton, Milena Dragicevic, Richard Hamilton and Ken Kiff go on show in a new exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery this week. More than 30 works of art have been drawn together by artist Leo Fitzmaurice who has been invited to curate the show in the William Brown Street gallery’s Room Nine. Fitzmaurice, who is based in Wirral and is a former recipient of the Northern Art Prize, is presenting the works – chosen from the Walk

Review: RLPO Opening Night ****1/2

It’s been quite a week for Eric Lu. While other 20-year-olds were preparing to go back to college after the summer, the youthful virtuoso from Bedford, Massachusetts, was busy charming the jury (led by Liverpool’s own Paul Lewis) at the prestigious Leeds Piano Competition with a sparkling performance of Beethoven’s Fourth Piano Concerto. And then, having taken the top prize, he immediately hotfooted it across the Pennines to make his debut at the Philharmonic Hall, reprising

Giants to be retired after Liverpool's Dream reveals Royal de Luxe

Liverpool’s Giants Spectacular will be the last time Royal de Luxe’s massive marionettes will be seen anywhere in the world. The Nantes-based street theatre magicians are set to retire their giant creations after Liverpool’s Dream next month – and 25 years after they made their first appearance on the streets of France. Over the past quarter of a century the Giants have been seen by millions of people across six continents. But now Royal de Luxe founder and artistic director

2 3