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Review: Mark Simpson's The Immortal at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall ****
Mark Simpson has revealed what he calls his ‘big and wild’ ambitions were ignited by the performances he watched and music he experienced as a youngster listening to concerts at the Philharmonic Hall. But while he may have dreamed a dream, one wonders if the Liverpool schoolboy really imagined he’d one day be feted as the orchestra that so influenced his youth premiered his own compositions in the same concert hall. Over the two decades and counting of his professional career
Paul O'Grady retrospective set for Williamson Gallery
A major retrospective dedicated to Paul O’Grady is set to be premiered in Birkenhead this winter. The Paul O’Grady Story comes to the Williamson Art Gallery and Museum from December 4 and runs throughout 2027. The show, which delves into the late star’s personal archive to give an insight into his life in front of and behind the lens, will be free to visit thanks to a substantial lottery grant which has enabled it to be presented at the Slatey Road venue. The exhibition will
Review: Bember at the Unity Theatre ****
One of the few positive things to emerge from the Covid pandemic was the Unity Theatre’s Up Next Festival – designed to support and nurture new work by local talent. This year’s Up Next is the fifth annual festival, and over four days (it runs until Saturday) it is showcasing 20 pieces at various different stages of development, from rehearsed readings to fully formed productions. Up first at Up Next on its opening night was Bember, Winnie Grace Southgate’s dark comedy/comi-t
The Scouse Nativity returns to Liverpool's Royal Court for Christmas 2026
Smash hit seasonal show The Scouse Nativity is set to return to Liverpool’s Royal Court for Christmas 2026. The festive production, penned by Kevin Fearon, was a huge success when it was first staged at the Roe Street theatre in December 2017 . Now the show, which offers a Scouse take on the ‘greatest story ever told’, is returning in an all-new production, running from November 6 to January 16, 2027. Tickets are on sale priced from £19. It's Bethlehem 0 AD (or possibly 0 BC)
Liverpool Music Heritage Trail celebrates 60 years of key musical moments in the city
A new music heritage trail linking 12 key Liverpool locations has been launched in the city. The free, self-guided trail is marked by plaques designed to look like vinyl records and the Beatles Legacy Group, which is behind the new attraction, says it hopes it will inspire a new generation of Liverpool artists as well as music fans and visitors. Billed ‘a whistlestop tour through 60 years of Liverpool music from 1957 to 2016', the tour aims to explore some of the places, peop
Liverpool Empire dates for Live Aid musical Just for One Day
Live Aid musical Just for One Day is set to come to the Liverpool Empire as part of an inaugural national tour. The musical, written by John O’Farrell and directed by Luke Sheppard, will be staged at the Lime Street landmark from August 3-7, 2027. Just For One Day - The Live Aid Musical is the story behind the greatest concert in music history, and features hit songs by Bob Dylan, David Bowie, The Who, U2, Queen, Madonna, The Police, Elton John, Paul McCartney and Diana Ross
Mischa Barton on her femme fatale role at the Liverpool Playhouse
The OC’s Mischa Barton is making her UK stage debut in a new production of Hollywood thriller Double Indemnity which comes to Liverpool this month – and it seems she’s looking forward to her first visit to the banks of the Mersey. “I’ve always heard such incredible things about Liverpool - the music history, the warmth of the people and the energy of the city,” says the British-American actor who has carved a busy and successful career on the small and big screen. “So, I’m re
Review: From Classical to Romantic at the Tung Auditorium ****
There’s a scene in Amadeus where the impish composer and musician is welcomed by Emperor Joseph II who plays a somewhat ponderous little piece composed specially by Salieri. A giggling Mozart (Tom Hulce) proceeds to take the melody and improvise wildly and gleefully, showcasing his genius but guilelessly ridiculing the furious court composer’s effort at the same time. It was an era when soloists were expected to extemporise and ornament their performances. Mozart is said to h
Review: Waiting for Godot at the Liverpool Everyman *****
It may be a play where, as the tagline goes, “nothing happens…then nothing happens again”, but Samuel Beckett’s tragicomic masterpiece on the human condition is rich in incident and Shakespearean in scope. And it also fair twangs with vividness and life in this tremendous new co-production between Liverpool, Glasgow Citizen and Bolton Octagon, which features a pair of peerless performances from Everyman alumni Matthew Kelly and George Costigan. Jean Chan’s frayed set (even th
Leap Dance Festival returns to Liverpool for 2026
Liverpool’s Leap Dance Festival returns to city venues next month with a programme of performances, workshops and free public events. The festival, which was revived and relaunched by Chaos Arts CIC in 2024 after a five year break, this year runs from April 24 to May 9 and encompasses National Day of Dance on April 29. It aims to showcase local and regional talent and nurture and support the next generation of dancers as well as bring top dance companies and artists to the ci
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