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Ballet Shoes dances into Liverpool as part of a UK tour
Strictly star Anton du Beke is set to appear in the acclaimed stage adaptation of Ballet Shoes when it comes to Liverpool as part of a newly announced UK tour. The National Theatre’s acclaimed five-star family-friendly production heads for the Liverpool Empire from January 11-15, 2028. Tickets go on general sale on Thursday, September 24. Du Beke will play Great Uncle Matthew in the show which is adapted for the stage by Kendall Feaver in what is described as a ‘reimagining’
Theatre
Review: Waitress at the Liverpool Empire ****
To lose one leading actor on opening night may be regarded as a misfortune. To lose both ‘names’…well, let’s just say it’s not ideal. But as the Reverend Mother tells Maria in The Sound of Music, when God closes a door, somewhere he opens a window. And the absence of both Carrie Hope Fletcher AND Les Dennis from the Empire stage, both indisposed for undisclosed reasons, allowed several other members of the Waitress cast a chance to shine. None more so than Ellie Ruiz Rodrigue
Liverpool Everyman revisits Martin McDonagh in 2027
The Liverpool Everyman is set to stage a major new revival of one of Martin McDonagh's earliest plays next spring. A Skull in Connemara will be presented at the Hope Street theatre from February 20 to March 13, 2027. The new production follows the successful staging of McDonagh’s dark comedy The Lieutenant of Inishmore in 2024 and will also see the return of Chris Sonnex who will once again be taking on directing duties. Billed as ‘volatile, unsettling and wickedly comedic’,
The King's Speech comes to Liverpool Playhouse in 2027
A new stage adaptation of multi-Oscar winning British historical drama The King’s Speech is set to visit Liverpool next summer as part of a UK tour. The production comes to the Liverpool Playhouse from June 22-26, 2027. Tickets go on general sale this Tuesday, September 1. A country on the precipice of another terrible war. An abdicated king. A constitutional crisis. And the only man who can provide hope for the nervous British public is Bertie – a man who is shy, unprepared
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
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
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
Review: Moulin Rouge! the Musical at the Liverpool Empire ****
Time flies and it’s somehow now a quarter of a century since Ewan McGregor’s Christian met Nicole Kidman’s Satine at the Moulin Rouge. It seems though that truth, beauty, freedom and love don’t have a shelf life, certainly if the reported ticket sales for Moulin Rouge! The Musical, the Empire’s glitzy summer blockbuster offering, are anything to go by. The stage musical, which started its life over the pond eight years ago where it gathered armfuls of awards, takes Baz Luhrma
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
Dinnerladies dishing up big laughs at the Liverpool Empire in 2027
Victoria Wood’s dinnerladies are on their way to the Liverpool Empire as part of a new stage adaptation of the much-loved TV sitcom. The show will be cooking up a storm at the Lime Street theatre from July 13-17 next year. Tickets go on general sale this Friday, July 3 at 10am. The new touring stage adaptation - commissioned by the Victoria Wood Estate, written by Beth and Emma Kilcoyne and directed by Sean Foley - will feature the original TV characters in a storyline inspir
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