Shows on Liverpool stages this October
Autumn, the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness – and also of a plethora of new productions in Liverpool’s theatres.
Several productions which opened last month are continuing into October, among them Titanic drama Unsinkable, which runs at the Hope Street Theatre until October 3.
You can catch Arthur Miller’s classic Death of a Salesman at the Liverpool Everyman until October 10.
And down the road at the Royal Court, the new stage version of Frank Clarke’s Letter to Brezhnev runs until October 17. Read a review HERE.
They are joined by a host of productions fresh for the new month.
The Unity Theatre’s programme opens on October 2-3 with food bank-themed show Stuffed. Multi award-winners Ugly Bucket present 'a roaring call to action amidst the wreckage of a desecrated system'. Performances are accompanied by a community meal and local food donation drive.
Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance is marking its 30th anniversary this year and comes to the Liverpool Empire from October 6-10, promising
Meanwhile across the water at New Brighton there is a chance to catch The Last Laugh at the Floral Pavilion from October 6-10. The show imagines a meeting in a backstage dressing room between the late Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse.
Funnily enough, Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort of) played the Floral last year. Now this impish, unique retelling of Jane Austen’s classic story returns to Merseyside, this time to the Liverpool Playhouse where you can catch it from October 13-17. Read a previous review HERE.
Mark Ravenhill’s Totally Over You, coming to the Hope Street Theatre on October 15-16, is a ‘short, satirical teen comedy’ that directly lampoons society’s obsession with celebrity culture and instant fame.
English National Ballet also returns to Liverpool this month, presenting Romeo and Juliet at the Empire from October 15-17.
Then hot on its heels at Lime Street are those Mean Girls who take up residence at the Empire from October 19-31. Tina Fey’s hilarious smash-hit comedy stars Jennifer Ellison among others.
Noel Coward’s Present Laughter gets an audacious makeover with male Gary becoming female Geri and the action transported to 1970s New York in a new touring production starring Tracy-Ann Oberman, James Dreyfus and Adrian Lukis that comes to the Playhouse from October 20-24.
Meanwhile Lung Theatre visits the Unity from October 21-22 with Woodhill, billed as an ‘explosive true story’ which blends documentary theatre and dance.
Jah Makin It Happen, at the Epstein Theatre on October 26, is a musical comedy that tells the story of a Jamaican family’s journey to the UK during the Windrush era.
On October 28 and 29, The Loves of Others at the Hope Street Theatre is centred on three mismatched couples who embark on an explosive game of ‘Mr and Mrs’ at what turns out to be a hilariously uncomfortable dinner party.
Meet the Deans at the Epstein Theatre on October 29-30. The Liverpool family comedy promises laughter, chaos and some heartwarming moments as five adult children return home to roost with their hard-working mum.
The one-main show Life and Times of Paddy Armstrong, at the Unity on October 30-31 and starring Don Wycherley, is based on the memoirs of Armstrong, one of the Guildford Four.
Also at the Unity on October 31, there’s the opportunity to catch a UK premiere in the form of The Oracle, an immersive, improvisational theatre phenomenon.
And added to all this, the Liverpool Fringe Festival returns marking its 10th anniversary.
The festival runs from October 5-17 at Studio Beyond in Wood Street along with venues like the Hope Street Theatre, Liverpool Arts Bar and Stoneycroft Salvation Army Hall. Full details HERE