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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
Shows to enjoy at Liverpool theatres in July
It may be the summer months, but theatres rarely go completely dark any more and there’s still plenty to enjoy on stage in the city throughout July. Over at the Everyman, YEP (Young Everyman Playhouse) is presenting its own version of the Jekyll and Hyde story, radically reimagined by Evan Placey for the digital age. The story of ambition, addiction and the monsters we hide (online and ‘IRL’) runs from July 2-4 at the Hope Street theatre. Meanwhile roll up roll up, the Empire
Liverpool's Unity theatre explores its radical history and tradition
Liverpool’s Unity Theatre is exploring its own radical history this spring in a Heritage Lottery-funded programme of events. A Radical Re-imagining encompasses theatre, music, art, workshops, talks and panel discussions and community events and includes a special archival exhibition at Liverpool John Moores University’s Mount Pleasant Campus Library. And the celebratory season will culminate in a specially devised new production, Stage Left, at the Hope Place theatre on June
Review: Talking Head Twice at the Unity Theatre ***1/2
Liverpool Improvisation Festival returns to the Unity this May with a programme of shows from some of the genre's brightest talent. Ahead of that, LiF organiser Wing it Impro took the chance to present a new idea currently in development in what was a well-received scratch performance which brought the Unity’s 2026 Up Next Festival to a close. Boasting the tagline 'Inspired by Bennett. Shaped by you', Talking Head Twice offers a huge nod to the nonagenarian playwright and all
Review: Knickerbocker Glory at the Unity Theatre ****
When you call yourself Choc-a-block Comedy, it inevitably creates a certain level of expectation. But Trading Standards can stand down, because Laura Robinson and Aidan Rivers’ droll double act happily lives up to its name in this chock-a-block comedy confection whipped up and staged as part of the Unity Theatre’s Up Next Festival. In Knickerbocker Glory, the recent LIPA acting graduates (Robinson appeared at the Unity several times during training, while you might recognise
Review: Spinster at the Unity Theatre ***1/2
One of the key elements of the Unity’s annual Up Next Festival is the disparate range of work on show over one busy four-day period. That packed programme reached its zenith with a trio of double bills on Friday evening, mixing and matching six short pieces, from ‘architects of the absurd’ to a dark comedy exploring the background of the pandemic to a cabaret in the middle of a compost heap. First out of the starting blocks in the initial double bill of the night was Martha J
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
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
Up Next Festival returns to the Unity Theatre this month
The Up Next Festival is set to return to the Unity Theatre this month for a fifth year. The 2026 festival takes place from March 25-28 and will feature 20 new and diverse performances – many of them work-in-progress, readings, workshops and a guided walk, created by Merseyside artists. The Hope Place theatre started the festival in 2021 as a response the Covid pandemic and the seismic effect it had on live performance, providing a vital platform for new work with the aim of s
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