December - 2021

Archive

Liver Bird play gets free online screening this Christmas

ArtsGroupie is streaming its play The Liver Bird online for free this Christmas. The filmed version of the production, created in conjunction with The Bookworm Players and which played to live audiences across open air venues in the summer, will be available to view from December 23 until January 3. Charlie J, a boy from Liverpool, is bright for his age – the kind of child who would rather escape into his imagination or read a book than play sport. Grandma Bailey encourages h

Musicals heading for the Liverpool Empire in 2022

We’re all in need of a night (or a matinee) where we can simply forget our worries and be happy. And what better distraction from the grey, pandemic world around us than to immerse ourselves in the Technicolor world of musicals for an hour or two? The UK is rich with triple threat talent and the range of all-singing, all-dancing shows being produced is a bright light in what has been a dark time. There’s a bumper programme of shows currently heading for the capacious Liverpoo

Fantastic festivals coming to Liverpool during 2022

Liverpool is known as a festival city, and despite the challenges and uncertainty of the last two years festival organisers have continued to run fantastic programmes – both in person and online. That is no exception as we head in to 2022, with a number of major events already in the diary including the return of the Liverpool International Jazz Festival, Sound City, Africa Oyé and International Beatleweek. Meanwhile annual festivals like WoWFest, Liverpool Irish Festival, Li

Review: Spirit of Christmas at Philharmonic Hall ****

Back in the mists of time, John Suchet was persuaded to present the Phil’s popular Spirit of Christmas concerts for ‘just one year’. Eleven years and 10 Christmases later (Covid restrictions causing a hiatus last December), Classic FM’s resident Beethovian is bowing out with one final mellifluous turn at the Hope Street mic. He comes bearing beaming bonhomie and a parting gift in the form of soloist Thomas Weinhappel, whom he happened upon pre-pandemic while presenting a conc

Goldilocks and the Fab 4 bring panto fun to Bootle

Goldilocks is coming to Bootle next week – and she’s bringing the ‘Fab 4’ with her. Wise Tortoise Entertainment is staging the festive show at Lock & Quay in Irlam Road, with the production being performed with an eye on keeping everyone Covid safe. The show takes place inside an open-air ‘theatre’ space which is covered and heated, and offers plenty of opportunity for audience members to socially distance. Goldilocks and the Fab 4 is written by Kai Jolley and was premiered a

22 shows to catch in Liverpool in 2022

There’s no doubt it’s been a tough two years for the theatre industry – and for theatre lovers who have missed the thrill that comes with sitting in a darkened auditorium. But heading in to 2022, it seems there could now be light looming at the end of the tunnel, with a packed programme of shows coming to Liverpool stages over the next 12 months. Some have been postponed several times, while others are fresh out of the starting blocks for the New Year. Together they offer a b

Comedy shows in Liverpool to make you chuckle in 2022

Rib-tickling comedy may be the only way to get through another year of Covid – so thank goodness for all the fantastic funny men and women heading Liverpool’s way (hopefully) during 2022. Some shows are part of UK tours which have been postponed at least once, and in a few cases twice. Some are completely new for the New Year. Whether it’s satire, surrealism, observational comedy or just plain rapid-fire gags, there are plenty of opportunities to be entertained and to forget

Relive the 1980s in Liverpool in 2022

Whether you were there in person the first-time round or you’re a teenager who just loves the music, the 1980s remain a hugely popular and influential decade. And you could be forgiven for wondering where the last four decades have gone during 2022 with Liverpool welcoming a veritable feast of 80s acts throughout the next 12 months. The nostalgia-fest includes the annual Let’s Rock Liverpool retro festival, taking place at Wavertree Playing Fields in July when the line-up is

Review: Fantastically Great Women who Changed the World at Liverpool Playhouse ****

SIX meets Bill and Ted meets Night at the Museum in this sparky new show from the producers behind the sassy smash hit that put Henry VIII’s consorts centre stage. Based on Liverpool-raised author and illustrator Kate Pankhurst’s book of the same name, Fantastically Great Women Who Changed the World is an exercise in empowering the next generation to fulfil their potential – and be happy in their own skin as they do it. And if the lesson from that other youth-learns-from-famo

Renew your vows under Gaia in Valentine's Day culture year event

Married couples who mean the world to each other are being invited to renew their vows – under artist Luke Jerram’s Gaia. The mass renewal of vows service will take place at St Chad’s in Kirkby on Valentine’s Day. Anyone who was originally married in the 150-year-old stone church in Old Hall Lane is eligible to be involved in the special event which is part of Knowsley Borough of Culture celebrations. Gaia, a giant illuminated installation with a special soundscape, is coming