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Physical Fest 2026 full programme announced
Physical Fest returns this month promising six days of the best and boldest new local, national and international work. The 2026 edition of Liverpool’s international festival of contemporary physical theatre runs from September 7-12 with a programme of workshops, events and performances. Produced by the city’s Tmesis Theatre, Physical Fest was founded in 2005 and celebrates some of the world’s most exciting visual and movement-based performance. The performance programme, whi
Review: Take Me Home County Road at Liverpool's Royal Court ****
Liverpool’s Royal Court has a history of nurturing the talents of its extended theatrical ‘family’ – encouraging staff, and also members of its regular cast, to develop their own ideas and projects. Linzdi Germain and Angela Simms’ knockabout hospital comedy The Royal springs immediately to mind. Actor Adam McCoy made his own Roe Street debut appearing downstairs in the Studio in Masquerade, penned by Laura Lees who was working in the box office at the time. Now in turn, McCo
11 shows to catch in Liverpool this autumn
The summer may still be at its height but given how fast June and July have sped past it won’t be long until the autumn theatre season is upon us. And there is a packed programme of treats at Liverpool’s many venues this year. From big budget musicals to intimate dramas, high comedy to high tragedy, local stories to international tales, and classic texts to thought-provoking new work, there’s plenty for lovers of live theatre to choose from between September and Christmas. Se
Experience Macbeth by candlelight at Shakespeare North Playhouse this autumn
Shakespeare North Playhouse will hope it’s not ‘out, out brief candle!’ when it stages a special production of Macbeth this autumn. The Prescot theatre is set to present Macbeth by candlelight from September 11 to October 3. And it is promising each performance will be unique with the cast and creative team inspired by Elizabethan theatre techniques. Macbeth will be directed by Shakespeare North associate artist Ben Crystal who will also act as ‘curator and co-facilitator’, w
Southport Flower Show 2026 countdown is on
Southport Flower Show opens its gates this month – with organisers expecting to welcome more than 50,000 visitors over the four-day event. The 2026 extravaganza, the UK’s largest independent flower show, takes place from August 20-23 on a 34-acre showground at the town’s Victoria Park. Entry on the gate is £32 but advance ‘early bird’ tickets costing £28 are available until August 19. Late entry tickets (after 3pm on August 21-23) are £20. Meanwhile children under 16 go free
Lennon and Epstein relationship explored in new play
The relationship between John Lennon and Beatles manager Brian Epstein is explored in a new play being staged in Liverpool to coincide with International Beatle Week next month. Of All These Friends and Lovers is at the Hope Street Theatre between August 25-29. The show comes from the city’s Old Fruit Jar Productions whose previous acclaimed productions include The Incident Room and It’s a Wonderful Life and is presented in association with the Hope Street Theatre. It is writ
Threshold Festival reveals line-up for 15th anniversary event
Liverpool’s popular former Threshold Festival is set to hold a special one-off 15th anniversary reunion in the Baltic Triangle next month. Threshold Was Here, taking place on August 1, will bring together more than 30 acts in one packed programme. The line-up over three stages and some pop-up sites includes Natalie McCool, Mersey Wylie, Tosin Trio, Helen Maw, Karl McCann, Goeghegan Jackson, The Good Host, Hollows, Def Neon, DJ Rasp, Science of the Lamps and Mixnots among othe
Hot Water launches new Liverpool Comedy Festival this September
Hot Water Comedy Club is set to stage a new four-day comedy festival this September featuring more than 70 live shows. Hot Water’s Liverpool Comedy Festival, running from September 3-6 at Blackstock Market, will include a mixture of household names, touring acts, mixed bills, one-off specials, rising stars and local talent. Comedians who have already been announced include Jamie Hutchinson, Katie Tracey, Paul Smith, Tony Carroll, Ignacio Lopez, Adam Rowe, Rachel Fairburn, Dan
Review: No One Will Tell Me How to Start a Revolution at the Unity Theatre ****
Liverpool playwright Luke Barnes’ No One Will Tell me How to Start a Revolution is a furious and often intensely funny exploration of working-class identity, social (im)mobility, class prejudice and quashed potential. It started life almost a decade ago in the leafy and decidedly middle-class north London enclave of Hampstead. And while the theatre there has a longstanding reputation as a bastion of new writing, this latest incarnation (one night only - but with the hope of a
Review: Near Miss at the Unity Theatre ****
The Unity is currently celebrating its rich cultural and political heritage. But while looking back, it’s worth noting it’s the ongoing commitment to supporting and nurturing new writing which remains central to its programme in the here and now. This includes Near Miss, the second in the ‘Watching Windows’ trilogy of semi-autobiographical works by Liverpool teacher, actor, director and latterly playwright Helena Rand. The first, Rotten Apple, a story of love, ambition and a
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