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A Brand New Production of Masquerade Comes to the Epstein Theatre This Autumn

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Hair Loss in Women

Hair Loss in Women

Above: Destruction caused to the Marland Mill. Les Lord.

in suffered a disaster. “Friday the 30th of March was quite a memorable day at Marland Mill. In addition to being the Company year end and the day the secretary of accounts was leaving, opening up a permanent position for myself, plus the retirement of the works manager. Then at 4-30 pm, an hour before the mill closed for the weekend, there was such a bang and a thud, our first thoughts was that a boiler had exploded. Within a couple of minutes the telephone rang, it was the local press asking if I knew the telephone number of the Mars Mill, which was next door. I knew this number off by heart, so gave it to them and for the next couple of minutes thought it was something which had happened there, until our Engineer came running into the office to say the flywheel had gone through the wall of the rope-race. The wheel was about 20 ft. in diameter and carried twenty two inch diameter ropes which drove the pulleys on the five story building.” The cause was that the governor had stuck in the open position causing the engine to speed up considerably until the flywheel revolved at such a speed it “took off” and went through the wall. The following day the police telephoned to investigate the loss of their huge wheel. The question for the record was, “At what time exactly did the flywheel leave the factory.” Mr Lord had a fall at home and was rushed into hospital, where he passed away a few days later, but it was when the ambulance crew were about to place him in the vehicle, he commented, “Can you let Harold know.” At Christmastime we place a wreath on his grave which saves his family travelling the long distance from Yorkshire. I notice that this year it will be the centenary of his birth. 

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Below: Mr Lord visits town with his book

A Brand New Production of Masquerade Comes to the

A brand new production of Masquerade – a play telling a powerful and emotional tale set in an iconic Liverpool gay club in the 1980s – is coming to the city’s Epstein Theatre this Autumn.

Masquerade is a poignant tale of love and loss among Liverpool’s LGBT+ community.

Following a successful run at the Royal Court Studio in 2019, the acclaimed play written by Laura Lees is back in a new electrifying and reimagined staging, with Liverpool’s queer history at its heart. The creative team has been announced, the full cast will be revealed shortly.

Masquerade will run at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool from Tuesday 22 November to Saturday 26 November 2022 for just eight performances. Tickets are priced from £20 and are on sale now.

Masquerade is produced by Bill Elms (Something About George/ Simon, Swan Song, The Ruby Slippers), and directed by James Baker (Cherry Jezebel, Yank, Parade). Most recently, Bill and James worked together on productions Jerry Springer The Opera and 2Gorgeous4U.

The new production includes additional material by dramaturg Tom Lloyd; the production is designed by Ellie Light, with sound design byDaniel Mawson. Casting by Pearson Casting.

The play tells a fictional story based around the now demolished iconic Cases Street venue, affectionately known as The Mazzie, which was frequented at the time by famous faces including Holly Johnson, Paul O’Grady, Paul Rutherford, and Margi Clarke.

Masquerade – where inside was the place to be out. Mike loves Tony (but not like that). He’s his best mate. To be confident, outgoing, and open is a big deal in a city like Liverpool in 1986 especially during the Aids crisis. When they discover The Masquerade Club with trepidation, Mike gets a taste of the life he could and should be living. He is welcomed with open arms, soon becoming the resident DJ in a club that becomes the centre of his universe. But their paths go in separate directions. Outside of the club walls he needs to find the courage to tell his parents that he is not the son they want him to be. Will he find the strength to stand up for himself especially when tragedy strikes?

Writer Laura Lees commented: “I was aware that my uncle Mark had been a DJ in the club when he was younger so I asked him about it, at which point

Epstein Theatre This Autumn

he opened up and gave me an insight into The Masquerade. I instantly fell in love with its story and wanted to know everything there was to know about it. While doing the research, I found that most people were happy to reminisce because it was such a wonderful time in their lives. However, it was equally bittersweet as it was also a time of pain when Aids was hitting the gay community.

“I want to take audiences on a journey through an important period for the LGBT community – an uplifting story that would resonate with anyone who has ever experienced the excitement and terror of a first love. What it was like to be young and gay in a hostile society. Also, to honour the victims that paid the price for being alive, and to give hope to anyone who is afraid to be whomever they want to be. Everyone has a right to love and happiness, and you only get one chance to be true.

“Working with Tom Lloyd has been priceless. It feels like I am looking at the script for the first time as he has given me a fresh perspective and new ideas. I am excited to see the vision that James Baker has and what the end result will be. I am delighted to be a sharing this new version of this play with true friendship, love, family and pain being at the heart of it.”

Director James Baker added: “I’m really excited to be directing a new incarnation of this play, which has its DNA firmly rooted in the queer history of Liverpool and the iconic Masquerade. The play will be a feast for the heart and celebrate the very nature of what it means to be free from oppression and live your own truth. Get ready to experience a night out like no other!”

Producer Bill Elms of Bill Elms Productions Ltd and Artistic Director of Epstein Theatre continues: “I am excited to be presenting this new work along with a dynamic and talented creative team. Together, we will build on the much-loved Royal Court Studio piece to create a full stage production of this brilliant piece of writing for the

Above: James Baker

newly reopened Epstein Theatre, with an aim and focus to give the show a future life.

“Even though the play was originally staged before television series It’s A Sin, anyone who loved the programme will love Masquerade – and I cannot wait to see the audience reactions and what they think of the new version of the show. I know they are in for a treat.”

“A touching, uplifting story of love and friendship” – Liverpool Echo

The show is one of several new productions coming to the newly launched Epstein Theatre.

The Epstein Theatre is Grade II Listed and located in the heart of Liverpool city centre, it was named after the legendary gay Beatles’ manager and ‘Fifth Beatle’ Brian Epstein.

In October 2021, a new team took the helm at the historic venue. Epstein Entertainments Ltd is a joint venture between Liverpool producers Bill Elms, Artistic and Communications Director; Chantelle Nolan, Artistic and Operations Director; and Regal Entertainments Ltd Company Director Jane Joseph.

Above: Frank and Pete at The Masquerade Club, Liverpool Credit: Francesco Mellina

FOLLOW THE EPSTEIN THEATRE ON SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS: F @EpsteinTheatre T @EpsteinTheatre I @EpsteinTheatre MASQUERADE SHOW LISTING: 22 - 26 November 2022

Tickets from £20

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE: Tuesday 22 November – 7.30pm Wednesday 23 November – 7.30pm Thursday 24 November – 2.30pm Thursday 24 November – 7.30pm Friday 25 November – 5pm Friday 25 November – 8.30pm Saturday 26 November – 2.30pm Saturday 26 November – 7.30pm HOW TO BOOK: Book online: D www.epsteintheatre.co.uk N Telephone bookings: 0844 888 9991 (calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge) M In person:

The Epstein Theatre Box Office is open Monday to Saturday between 12pm and 6pm, or two hours prior to the performance time on Sundays or Bank Holidays.

Please note there is a £1 per ticket transaction fee when booking in person at the box office. VENUE DETAILS: M The Epstein Theatre 85 Hanover Street

Liverpool L1 3DZ

Balance Counselling and Coaching Ltd PUT YOUR LIFE IN BALANCE

By Kathryn Taylor

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR VALUES ARE?

Do you really know what your values are? Are you drifting through life not really sure doing things because you always have or that someone has told you that you should but feeling like something's not quite right?

Recognising the things that you have achieved in your career, personal life etc but feeling something is missing and the things that you have just don't give you the sense of satisfaction that you crave? Not understanding why we feel this way despite the people and things in our life.

One of the things we often don't do is take time to truly assess the things in life that are important to us we drift through life doing things because we feel we should or others tell us we should.

Sometimes that's because we don't really acknowledge what's important to us or as we grow older the things that are important to us change, but we drift along doing the same things and not feeling the same satisfaction.

Taking the time out to evaluate what's important to us and what we truly value in different areas of our life gives us the clarity to recognise what's truly meaningful to us.

We all have a set of values that are at our true core. But the values can differ in various areas of our lives.

That could be in terms of what's important to us in relationships, our career, our environment, health and fitness amongst others. Identifying what those things are and using them to help us assess and make changes in our life’s can help us gain a better understanding of ourselves and what's important to us. Allowing us to create a happier more balanced life for ourselves.

WHAT IS A VALUE?

Our values are based on our own judgement and beliefs of what is important to us in life. They affect our behaviours and reactions to everyday life and they help form our character.

Some examples of values that may be important to us are honesty, courage, belonging, compassion, excitement, growth and generosity.

There are many others and identifying what's important to us helps us understand ourselves.

Below is an exercise that we can all do to help us gain that clarity and understanding.

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

Look at the wheel and choose the area you want to look at first. If the heading doesn’t resonate with you then feel free to change it to something that is more meaningful for you.

Abundance Acceptance Accountability Achievement Adventure Ambition Appreciation Autonomy Balance Boldness Brilliance Calm Caring Challenge Charity Commitment Compassion Co-operation Collaboration Consistency Creativity Dependability Development Diversity Empathy Encouragement Enthusiasm Ethics Excellence Fairness Family Flexibility Freedom

Fun Growth Happiness Health

Honesty Inclusiveness Independence Innovation Inspiration Intuition Integrity Joy Kindness Leadership Love Loyalty Mindful Motivated Open Minded Original Passionate

Peace Perfection Playful Power Preparation Proactive Recognition Risk Reward Safety Security Spiritualism Stable Recognition Relationships Reliability Resiliance Responsibility Risk Safety Security Spiritualism Stable Simplicity Stability Success Teamwork Thankfulness Time keeping Thoughtful Traditional

Trust Understanding Unique Useful Versatile Vision Warmth Wealth Well-being Wisdom

VALUES IDENTIFICATION

Then with that area in mind, look at the above list of words, add in any that resonate for you but aren’t included, then remove all the words that don’t mean anything to you.

Keep going through the list until you are down to less than 10 words - Ideally 5 – 6 values.

Once you are down to your final words prioritise in the order of importance to you when thinking about the chosen area of your life.

Once you have completed each area of the chart or just the key ones for yourself ask yourself the following questions thinking about that specific area of your life. • What do I need to do more off to incorporate those values into my life? • What do I need to stop doing that doesn’t fit with my values. • What do I need to change to give myself more fulfilment

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