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autumn what’s on
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boxoffice: 0844 873 2888 | book securely online unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk
Last season we achieved...
90+ shows 9 festivals 21 new companies We took part in...
We supported and helped...
But that’s not all! We also worked with hundreds of young people, brought innovative international shows to you, held world premieres, took new productions made in Liverpool around the country and across the globe and much more! However while we are funded by Arts Council England and Liverpool City Council, we couldn’t survive without your support, buying tickets and donating towards projects, events and activities. Any amount, no matter how small, allows us to continue our work, enriching our great city, developing new companies and artists and offering a damn good night out at a reasonable price. Thank you for your support, keep seeing great shows, donating when you book tickets and telling us what you thought of them. If you’d like to support us more check out unityangels, our regular donor scheme. This is your theatre, your success story, yours to enjoy.
unitytheatre unitytheatre youtube.com/unitytheatre
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 3 Mike Idris as Sinbad, The Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor, Photo by Sam Heath
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Booking Tickets Candy floss windows and gingerbread walls, chocolate chimneys and marshmallow doors. But who would live in a house of sweets? Maybe it’s children they’d like to eat!?! Take a walk into the forest and you will see, all is not as it’s meant to be… Hansel & Gretel soon will find, it’s friends that matter, no-one’s left behind! A tale of bravery, action, adventure and joy, friendship and fun for every girl and boy. So expect the unexpected in this family festive treat, with songs, dance and laughs that are good enough to eat! Perfect for ages 5+ Signed performances: Sat 5 Jan at 5:30pm and Sat 12 Jan at 2pm Written by Jeff Young (The Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor) Directed by Ann Farrar | Music & lyrics by Patrick Dineen A unitytheatre production in association with Hope Street Limited
Reviews of last year’s show: The Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor
“...very visual, funny and highly entertaining...” Click Liverpool 9/10 “...magical delight and round-eyed awe ...” The Stage “Beautifully directed, wonderfully acted ...” «««« LSMedia Find out more about the show and school performances: www.hanselandgretelliverpool.co.uk
1. Select Date
The colour of the time relates to the price it will cost to go:
Tue 4 Sat 8 Sat 15 Fri 21 Sat 22
Thu 3 Fri 4 Sat 5 Sat 12
December
January
6pm 2pm & 5:30pm 2pm & 5:30pm 2pm & 5:30pm 2pm & 5:30pm
2pm & 5:30pm 2pm & 5:30pm 2pm & 5:30pm 2pm & 5:30pm
2. Find Prices
Different performances are available at different prices
(depending on demand, date and time)
• £12 | £10 concessions £8 under 16s £34 (Family of 4) • £10 | £9 concessions £7 under 16s £32 (Family of 4) • £8 | £8 concessions £7 under 16s £28 (Family of 4)
3. Book Tickets
You can book online, by phone or in person at our Hope Place box office. The only fees we charge are 50p per transaction for card payments and £1 to send tickets out!
4. Enjoy The Show
unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 5
Comedy
David Roche Catholic Erotica
Sat 1 Sep | 8pm ........................................................... “. . . an extremely funny man!” Oakland Tribune Facial disfigurement had a relatively benign effect of David Roche’s sexual development – at least compared to being raised Catholic. A tongue in cheek journey through the dark forest of rules and repression, into the sunlight of enjoyment of life (this life, not the next one). Workshop - Story Power | Sat 1 Sep | 2pm – 4pm David Roche brings his wide experience as a performer and storyteller to this workshop. Learn how to tap into and share your wealth of personal stories. £5/£3 concessions Recommended 16+ DaDaFest 2012 in association with unitytheatre.
......................................................... £10/£8 concessions
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Comedy
Comedy
Thu 30 Aug | 8pm ...........................................................
Fri 31 Aug | 8pm ...........................................................
A Little Commitment
Laurence Clark – Inspired
Join comedian Gareth Berliner and comedy actress Kiruna Stamell (Life’s Too Short, Cast-Offs) as they entertain you with their real life rom-com exposing discrimination on route. It’ll leave you smiling, laughing and on a high.
Stand up comedian Laurence Clarke questions why ordinary, everyday activities are considered inspirational when it’s a disabled person doing them. Observational, political stand-up revealing the ridiculousness of human behaviour.
Recommended 16+ DaDaFest 2012 in association with unitytheatre.
DaDaFest 2012 in association with unitytheatre. An Unlimited Commission for the Cultural Olympiad
......................................................... £10/£8 concessions
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Drama
The Cell
Tue 4 – Wed 5 Sep | 8pm ........................................................... “What’s this job doing to you? Ever asked yourself that?” The prisoner next door has hung himself. Another has been beaten by an officer. Kelly is barricaded inside a cell with the officer. Both are guilty of something and both want answers. Officer Scully plays a dangerous game to predict Kelly’s future, but his own hangs in the balance. Written by prison writer in residence Michael Crowley and developed with staff and inmates at a young offenders’ institution. Directed by Ron Meadows A Bad Ideas production Free Q&A post-show discussion - Tue 4
......................................................... £8/£6 concessions
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Living With Macbeth
Fri 7 – Sat 8 Sep | 8pm ........................................................... He’s played Lear, he’s played Hamlet and he’s played Macbeth. He’s played them all and he was good - damn good. But then something happened to change all that and now he doesn’t play them anymore. Now he just sits... ...and he dreams. A psychological story about reminiscence and past glories. About actors and what they do... ...and what they should not do. Written by Paul Braithwaite & Kevin Brannagan Directed by Paul Braithwaite Assistant director: Chris Carney Original Music by Kaya Herstad Design & effects: Gray Hughes A Storm Theatre production
......................................................... £10/£8 concessions
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 7
Drama
Love Me Do
Thu 13 – Sat 15 Sep | 8pm ........................................................... World Premiere The story of a legendary pop manager. Alone in his room during his final weekend, August Bank Holiday 1967, Brian Epstein reflects on his failures and successes. From school failures, the army and RADA to running the record department in the family business - and then his involvement in the Liverpool beat scene. Get inside the mind of the man who took The Beatles, Gerry and The Pacemakers, Billy J Kramer and Cilla Black to stardom. Marking the 50th anniversary of the recording of The Beatles’ first single this week in 1962. A Rox Theatre production Co-directed by Brian McCann (Down Our Street, Sep ‘11) www.lovemedotheplay.com
......................................................... £12/£10 concessions
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......................................................... Open Day
Hope Street Feast
Sun 16 Sep | 1pm – 4pm ........................................................... Join unitytheatre as we open our doors for the day as part of Hope Street Feast. Bring the kids to our free To Do Market for 5 to 11s, with making and playing activities. Read the papers with a coffee and cake in our bar. Browse the vintage stalls and listen to acoustic music. 2012 will be the 7th Hope Street Feast. Around 30,000 visitors typically attend, enjoying the mix of open air and indoor food, drink, music, theatre and events. Find out more about the feast at www.hopestreetfeast.com
......................................................... FREE!
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Drama
The Yarn
Tue 18 – Wed 19 Sep | 8pm ........................................................... “Now let us spin the yarn, and we’ll mock the end of our days” Belly laughs, tender poignancy and bitter heartbreak. Step beyond golden haystacks into a village fighting for survival. A fantastical patchwork of joyous tales, painful rituals and bizarre superstitions. MATE Drama Workshop return from the Edinburgh Fringe with this highly entertaining and evocative production. Dark comedy, original folk music and epic storytelling. MATE Drama Workshop
@MATEliverpool
Written by Rob Brannen Directed by Gaynor La Rocca A MATE Drama Workshop production
......................................................... £8/£6 concessions
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Intravenous
Fri 21 – Sat 22 Sep | 8pm ........................................................... A reinterpretation of Stevenson’s Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde for the 21st century. A reclusive and socially awkward neurochemist attempts to liberate the hidden impulses of his mind. He unwittingly unleashes a seductive monster, a dark side, without conscience or remorse. Using visual tricks and playing on the unreliability of memory and perception, Red Panda’s debut production creates worlds where mirrors become kaleidoscopes and a turn to the left can take you out of your own mind. A Red Panda production Supported by unitytheatre’s Making Art scheme
Making Art
......................................................... £8/£6 concessions
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 9
Comedy
Liverpool Comedy Festival
Wed 3 – Sat 6 Oct ...........................................................................................................................
Alun Cochrane
Robin Ince & Michael Legge
Wed 3 Oct | 7pm ...........................................................
Wed 3 Oct | 8:45pm ...........................................................
Moments Of Alun
Pointless Anger Righteous Ire 2
Perrier Award nominee for best newcomer Alun Cochrane has appeared on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Mock The Week!
Award-winning (who isn’t?) Robin Ince and Michael Legge get angry about stuff again. Come see two men who you’d normally see shouting in a park and crying.
......................................................... £10/£8 concessions
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£10/£8 concessions
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Lloyd Langford
Craig Hill
One Day In The Life Of Lloyd Owen Langford
Jock’s Trap!
Thu 4 Oct | 7pm ...........................................................
Thu 4 Oct | 8:45pm ...........................................................
As seen on Ask Rhod Gilbert, a shaggy dog story about bread and circumcision. “smart and properly funny” The Guardian
......................................................... £8
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Indulge in a deliciously wicked evening of gloriously camp no-holds-barred comedy and pure fun. “ Funny, charming and charismatic” Metro
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£8
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Comedy
Liverpool Comedy Festival
Wed 3 – Sat 6 Oct ...........................................................................................................................
Isy Suttie
Josh Widdicombe
Pearl and Dave
The Further Adventures Of...
Fri 5 Oct | 7pm ...........................................................
Fri 5 Oct | 8:45pm ...........................................................
Double British Comedy Award Nominee, Peep Show’s Isy Suttie mixes stand-up and music as she tells the story of the part she played in two people’s blossoming internet romance.
......................................................... £10/£8 concessions
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Seann Walsh
Josie Long Romance and Adventure
Sat 6 Oct | 7pm ...........................................................
Twice Edinburgh Comedy Award ‘Best Comedy’ nominee and 2006 Best Newcomer winner, Josie Long brings her sixth solo show to Liverpool.
......................................................... £10
Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year 2010, Josh has starred on Live At The Apollo, The Rob Brydon Show and Stand Up For The Week!
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Sat 6 Oct | 8:45pm ........................................................... Appearances on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Live At The Apollo have cemented Seann Walsh’s place as a master of observational comedy.
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£10/£8 concessions
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 11
Physical Theatre
Wolf Red
Wed 26 – Sat 29 Sep | 8pm ........................................................................................................................... World Premiere Deep in the dark woods, a woman is held prisoner. But is her sinister captor a predator of her body or mind? Fairytale and reality blur as the dark side of human nature is explored with skilful physicality and a playful original soundtrack. Don’t miss this quirky and disturbingly memorable show from Tmesis Theatre (“Rarefied, intriguing... beautiful” The Guardian), one of the UK’s leading physical theatre companies and the company behind Anima and The Dreadful Hours. Devised by the company and award-winning writer Chris Fittock. Directed by Yorgos Karamalegos with input from Nigel Charnock (co-founder DV8), Fin Walker and Lorna Marshall. A Tmesis Theatre production. Commissioned by unitytheatre. www.tmesistheatre.com
......................................................... £8 preview (Wed) £10/£8 concessions
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Open Space Discussion
Devoted and Disgruntled
Tue 2 Oct | 10am – 7pm ........................................................... Do you love theatre? Do you find it frustrating? Do you feel like an outsider in your own profession? Have you just started out and need support? Been in the profession for years and feel jaded? Are you looking to change things? Take part in a unique nationwide conversation. It can feel like the agenda is set, decisions made by a faceless, unreachable “them”. We wait for “them” to talk about what we think needs talking about and for “them” to solve our problems. Guess what? “They” aren’t going to do it. But you can, and D&D is the place to start. www.devotedanddisgruntled.com | An Improbable event
......................................................... FREE
......................................................... Physical Theatre
Cold Call
Tue 9 – Wed 10 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... What’s your idea of hell? A new call centre worker tries to be himself, tries to break the routine, the monotonous action, the brain-numbing dullness. But when the cycle becomes too much and life starts becoming robotic, what happens? Join Plastic Factory as they explore the workplace of a new generation with hypnotic, preposterous movement and dark comic physical theatre. Funny, unsettling and eye-opening. “Cold Call was excellent, funny and original” Audience member - PhysicalFest A Plastic Factory production. Part of unitytheatre’s Making Art Plus scheme Making Art
......................................................... £8/£6 concessions available
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 13
Dance
Northern Dances
Thu 11 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... Don’t miss the most innovative and interesting work being created by northern choreographers featuring performers and companies from Liverpool, Manchester, Yorkshire, Newcastle and Edinburgh. Featuring Taciturn’s Worst Case Scenario, Mustdashios’ Chips, Jordan Massarella’s Visitors and Debbie Waistell with Robbie Graham performing A Step Too Far. MDI (Merseyside Dance Initiative) is committed to developing new ways of presenting work from the region. The evening should be one of laughter, provocation and most important: Dancing! MDI in partnership with Yorkshire Dance (Leeds), Dance City (Newcastle) and Dance Base, (Edinburgh).
......................................................... £8/£6 concessions
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......................................................... Drama
Mother to Mother
Sat 13 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... One unforgiving moment. Repercussions beyond the imaginable. American Fullbright scholar Amy Biehl is killed in the Gugulethu township of Cape Town. A horrifying murder, carried out by four youths. The mother of one of the murderers tries to make sense of a senseless act recounting events in an imaginary conversation with Amy’s mother. Interwoven with music and the Xhosa indigenous language this powerful and profound monologue is delivered with dignity, sensitivity and humour by South African actress Thembi Mtshali-Jones. Original novel written by Sindiwe Magona Adapted for the stage by Sindiwe Magona, Janice Honeyman and Thembi Mtshali-Jones Directed by Janice Honeyman Check out other Afrovibes events at The Black-E
......................................................... £12/£10 concessions available
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Drama
Moby Dick
Tue 16 – Wed 17 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... “Lovett’s capacity to hold an audience is remarkable. His voice control and subtle shifts of expression and movement seem effortless.” The Guardian One of the greatest novels of all time, Moby Dick’s story of charismatic characters, revenge and challenging of the Gods is brought to life by Conor Lovett in this “must-see” (The Irish Examiner) production. Gare St Lazare return with this adaptation of Herman Melville’s classic novel with live musical accompaniment by one of Ireland’s finest fiddle players Caoimhin O’Raghallaigh. Moby Dick by Herman Melville Adapted by Conor Lovett & Judy Hegarty Lovett. Directed by Judy Hegarty Lovett. Performed by Conor Lovett. Presented by unitytheatre with Liverpool Irish Festival
......................................................... £12/£10 concessions
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......................................................... Music
Acoustic Night
Thu 18 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... Ivy and The Chance A unique brand of sweet folk/blues. An established act with good radio play and a #2 single on the ACA Music online chart. Richard Batty After storming April’s Acoustic Night, the Cavern Club resident returns with his folk/pop sound and incredible voice and has been likened to Neil Finn (Crowded House). Thom Morecroft An exciting and fine addition to a growing canon of Liverpool-based singer/songwriters. With extensive original material and powerful voice, influences include Springsteen and The Band. Mike Roach (Bar) With a heavy folk/rock acoustic sound, powerful and gritty voice, Mike delivers memorable, catchy and blissful melodies with astounding conviction.
......................................................... £6
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 15
Comedy
Inspector Norse
Or ‘The Girl With Two Screws Left Over’
Fri 19 – Sat 20 Oct | 8pm ........................................................................................................................... A Swedish self-assembly crime thriller It is bitter mid-winter. Ex-pop-star recluse Freya looks out of her log cabin at a rural winter scene. She smiles and turns back to her meatballs. But who is the stranger Nordic walking across the frozen wastes? In a fur hat. With a chisel. Days later a man is found dead in a barn nearby with a bizarre message carved on his forehead. Enter Inspector Sandra Larsson in her authentic, rustic knitwear. It is up to her to follow the pattern of a mystery with many holes. A LipService production Local knitting groups: Our set is partially knitted and we would like your knitting to decorate it! Get in touch at info@lip-service.net to get involved!
......................................................... £12/£10 concessions
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Drama
The Static
Tue 23 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... A kinetic coming-of age story about desire, guilt and mind over matter by The Arches Brick Award winners ThickSkin. Meet Sparky, a bright but volatile 15-year-old boy written off at school as a lost cause. But when he falls for a strange girl called Siouxsie he discovers he has a newfound superpower. ‘Captivating, emotional and brilliant’ «««««|ThreeWeeks on ThickSkin’s Blackout A ThickSkin production | www.thickskintheatre.co.uk | Age 14+ Written by Davey Anderson Directed and choreographed by Neil Bettles Developed in association with The Core at Corby Cube, in partnership with Playwrights’ Studio, Scotland and with support from National Theatre of Scotland and The Arches.
......................................................... £10/£8 concessions / £6 under 18s
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......................................................... Puppetry
The Paper Cinema’s Odyssey
Wed 24 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... «««« The Times | «««« The Telegraph
One man’s almighty quest to get home. Immerse yourself in a journey through the high seas, soak up the adventure and encounter danger and exhilaration. Cinematic projection and cunning tricks transform a suitcase full of cut-out paper puppets into an array of living characters and striking landscapes. A silent film is created before your eyes, set to a captivating live musical score. @thepapercinema A Paper Cinema and BAC co-production Co-commissioned by Parabola Arts Centre www.thepapercinema.com
......................................................... £12/£10 concessions
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 17
Drama
Best of BE Festival
Fri 26 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... One evening. Three unforgettable award-winning shows. Birmingham’s acclaimed BE Festival brings together the most daring and delightful theatre from across Europe. This triple bill of festival favourites featuring three 30 minute shows is a unique opportunity to see brand new theatre that has never toured the UK before, so BE part of it! Including a communal meal and discussion session, this should not be missed! ‘There is plenty to savour at the boundarysmashing BE Festival’ Lyn Gardner, The Guardian BE Festival
@befestival
www.befestival.org
......................................................... £12/£10 concessions (including light supper)
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Bones
Sat 27 Oct | 8pm ........................................................... ««««« Fest Magazine | ««««« Three Weeks «««« The List | «««« The Public Reviews “She doesn’t do things mum’s do. She gets leathered and smacked up and tries to shag my mates.” Nottingham - 1998. 19 year-old Mark is living a life he never signed up to. Caring for his broken mum and her baby, pining for Panda Pops, eggy bread and Brian Clough, Mark has to do something drastic – but will he make the chilling choice that will change things forever? ‘One of the most gripping solo shows on the fringe.’ The Stage Fifth Word in association with Nottingham Playhouse Written by Jane Upton Age 14+ | Contains strong language
......................................................... £8/£6 concession (including free Q&A)
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Familyshow
The Elves and the shoemakers
Sat 3 Nov | 11:30am & 2:30pm ........................................................... Once, there were two shoemakers who were very old and very poor, so poor they couldn’t even afford to buy Christmas presents for each other. But one Christmas Eve, just as the snow drifted down outside, two little Elves decided to spread a little bit of magic which would make a whole lot of difference. Live music, puppetry, physical storytelling and a sprinkling of Elf magic combine to tell this classic tale. Suitable for ages 3+ Written by Mike Kenny | Directed by Sarah Brigham Designed by Bek Palmer | Music by Ivan Stott A Theatre Hullabaloo and The Berry Theatre production
......................................................... £8 adults / £6 children
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Egg
Sat 10 Nov | 11:30am & 2:30pm ........................................................... Egg is all about magic and music and … an egg. The delightful story unfolds on a tiny, rustic set, exquisitely constructed out of twigs, feathers and shell. Join these madcap birds on an adventure of a lifetime as they grapple with growing up and giving in to their natural instincts to take flight. And then of course they meet an egg! ‘There’s a great dollop of Cahoots magic which is performed without words but with immense clarity and precision.’ Belfast Telegraph Suitable for ages 4+ Directed by Paul Bosco McEneaney. Original Music by Garth McConaghie. A Cahoots NI production
......................................................... £8 adults / £6 children
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 19
Homotopia: Dance
1
Wed 31 Oct – Thu 1 Nov | 6pm ........................................................... UK Premiere 1 dancer 1 audience 1 song 1 experience A unique dance experience from multi awardwinning choreographer Darren Pritchard, where beautiful music and pure dance are combined together to create a skilfully crafted solo. Once the rules of engagement are laid out and boundaries are set, you will have a private dance for your eyes only.
......................................................... £8/£6 concessions
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......................................................... Homotopia: Music Theatre
The Girl I Left Behind Me
Wed 31 Oct – Thu 1 Nov | 7:30pm & 2pm ........................................................... What makes a woman in trousers so appealing? From the swaggering cross-dressers of Music Hall, to the ambiguous boy-heroes of Mozart, to the back-room bull-dykes of the Haarlem Renaissance, this is a personal one-woman guide to a whole forgotten chapter of female performance. With live music from Opera North mezzo-soprano Jessica Walker with pianist James Holmes, directed by former Lyric Hammersmith Artistic Director Neil Bartlett. Devised by Neil Bartlett and Jessica Walker Performed by Jessica Walker | Directed by Neil Bartlett Pianist: James Holmes | Commissioned and produced by Opera North Projects.
......................................................... £12/£10 concessions (Wed) £7/£6 concessions (Thu)
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......................................................... 20 | Find out more at homotopia.net
Homotopia: Musical Comedy
Scotty Road The Musical
Wed 31 Oct | 9pm ........................................................... Caz ‘N’ Britney hit the Unity stage with a journey from Primark to prison in a two-woman musical comedy that will bring tears to your eyes and aches to your belly! Featuring and created by Keddy Sutton, who has appeared at Unity in Spike Theatre’s The Games and regularly at Liverpool Royal Court, and Gillian Hardie, who has performed in the national tour of Blood Brothers and more recently Bad Girls: The Musical in the West End. Supported through Queercore A work-in-progress performance
......................................................... £9/£7 concessions
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......................................................... Homotopia: Drama
Right Ballerina
Thu 1 – Fri 2 Nov | 7:30pm ........................................................... Jack, the Artistic Director of the country’s leading dance company, is forced to make some difficult decisions when Penny, his principal dancer, is ‘outed’ by a national newspaper. A sustained campaign of protest by a group headed by Mr X brings the company to near bankruptcy and Jack is forced to meet Mr X’s ever-increasing demands with Penny being the ultimate victim. Direct from its world premiere at The Lowry comes a provocative and challenging new thriller from the award-winning Billy Cowan and Truant Company who last brought Homotopia the 5 star Care Takers and Stigmata. Not to be missed!
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Find out more at homotopia.net | 21
Homotopia: Comedy
A Right Pair
Tue 6 Nov | 8pm ........................................................... Bette Bourne and Paul Shaw have been partners both offstage and on since the late 1970s. In this whistle stop tour of their life together they explore some of their favourite scenes, some obscure gems and some things completely new. Join them for the triumph and despair, the giddy high heel moments and occasional down at heel both onstage and off... Directed by Bette Bourne Featuring work by Neil Bartlett, Nicolas Bloomfield, Bela Borgia, Jimmy Camicia, Constantin Cavafy, Ray Dobbins, Tim Fountain, Dorothy Parker, Paul Shaw and Oscar Wilde.
......................................................... £8/£6 concessions
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Amy Lamé: Unhappy Birthday
Thu 8 – Fri 9 Nov | 7:30pm ........................................................... Amy Lamé invites you to share her birthday. Morrissey - icon for the bookish, bespectacled weirdo’s of the world - is invited too. Will he arrive clutching a bunch of flowers and a gift?
Cake, quiffs and craziness collide in a flurry of balloons and beer, against a soundtrack of nostalgic teenage obsession. Probing the pains of growing up and a nostalgia for a time that may never have existed except in our imaginations. A mix of party, performance and poncing about. Created and performed by Amy Lamé Directed by and devised with Scottee
......................................................... £12/£10 concessions
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......................................................... 22 | Find out more at homotopia.net
Homotopia: Performance
Blackouts: Twilights of the Idols
Thu 8 Nov | 9pm ........................................................... UK Premiere The drag show at the end of the world. Drag fabulist Dickie Beau shapeshifts through a soundscape of lost souls in this theatrical ‘trip’ to an underworld of icons in exile. An adventure in found sound, Blackouts brings to life extraordinary audio artefacts to tell the story of the dark sides of stars estranged not only from society, but also from themselves.... Tim Whitehead presents a Dickie Beau show.
......................................................... £10/£8 concessions
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......................................................... Homotopia: Cabaret
Lavender Girls
Sat 10 Nov | 9pm ........................................................... The Homotopia comedy club Lavender Girls returns following the success of 2011’s show! Home-grown talent featuring the heart-achingly dark country ballads of Gem Andrews, the musical comedy bliss of Rosie Wilby, Primark lovin’ comedian’s Caz N Britney and acoustic folk guitar singer-songwriter Rachel Awork. Not to be missed.
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Find out more at homotopia.net | 23
Darkcomedy
Johnny Come Lately
Tue 13 – Wed 14 Nov | 8pm ........................................................... A mother and daughter take in a mysterious lodger with devastating consequences. Who is he and where has he come from? This is a funny, alarming and provocative tale of outsiders, with a clash of cultures, shoplifting, lottery tickets and revolutionary acts! Award-winning theatre company Coal return to Unity following 2010’s successful show The Fragility of X with a new production created with Told By An Idiot’s John Wright. “Walks a fine line between comedy and a far darker place” The Scotsman on The Fragility of X Conceived by Annie Fitzmaurice Developed and directed by John Wright A Coal production in association with The Royal Exchange Theatre www.coal-theatre.co.uk
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......................................................... Shakespeare
L.O.V.E
Thu 15 – Sat 17 Nov | 8pm ........................................................... Shakespeare’s sonnets have been ripped clean from dusty school books and injected with vigour, passion and tenderness. Three lovers wrestle breathlessly with the poetic language, and sweatily with one another.
Celebrating 25 years of charged, emotive and irrepressibly energetic shows, Volcano Theatre take the greatest collection of poetry, throwing aside ruffs in exchange for red-blooded entanglement, an athletic cast and a touch of Shirley Bassey. Directed by DV8’s Nigel Charnock and Volcano’s Paul Davies, L.O.V.E is an award-winning modern classic. ‘Dangerous theatre’ The Guardian A Radical Classic™ from Volcano www.volcanotheatre.co.uk
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Comedy
Total Football
Photo by Alex Brennor
Tue 20 Nov | 8pm ........................................................................................................................... “One of our most refreshingly provocative theatre companies.” Time Out More Beckett than Beckham. Picking over football systems, political wrangling and changing room banter, Ridiculusmus tackle life’s big questions - immortality, happiness and why England always lose!?! From the controversial attempt to create a united UK football team for the 2012 Games to one man’s attempts to reproduce when he can’t even explain the offside rule. Ridiculusmus patches up its metatarsals for a wickedly clever, mischievously sharp look at what it means to be British today. A Ridiculusmus production Co-commissioned by the Barbican, in association with Belfast Festival at Queens, National Theatre Wales and National Theatre of Scotland. Created, written and performed by David Woods and Jon Haynes.
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unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 25
Photo by Sonny McCartney
Talk
Mike McCartney in conversation with Spencer Lee Wed 21 Nov | 8pm ........................................................... One of Liverpool’s favourite sons talks about his life in music and photography. From growing up in 1950s/60s Liverpool, to his success with comedy-poetry-music group The Scaffold with Roger McGough and John Gorman before settling into a career as an acclaimed photographer. Spencer Lee talks to a living legend who has worked alongside Jimi Hendrix, Neil Innes, Spike Milligan and met the Queen plus President Obama. Find out more at www.mikemccartney.co.uk. A unitytheatre fundraiser
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Next!
Fri 23 – Sat 24 Nov | 8pm ........................................................... “watching him (Graham Hicks) on stage is a sheer joy as he veers between high quality slapstick and utter heartbreak” «««« LSMedia A dark tale of solitude and loneliness in this one man dark comedy. With nothing but his imagination, things aren’t exactly what they seem as the boundaries between the real world and his surreal world of acting and performance become somewhat blurred. “Next has every promise to be a thought provoking and powerful hour long piece of theatre...” The Public Reviews A devised production by Graham Hicks and Chris Tomlinson as part of unitytheatre’s Making Art Plus scheme
Making Art
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Comedy
Terry Titter’s Spaced Out Christmas
Image by Brian Roberts
Wed 12 – Sat 22 Dec | 8pm ........................................................................................................................... World Premiere Ground control to Major Tit, 3, 2, 1! Blast-off! Go into orbit this year with Captain Terry Titter and his cosmic comedy themed festive silly-supernova! With his usual galaxy of out of this world star characters, plus a few sci-fi surprises, it promises to be a rocket fuelled big bang of brilliance! So polish your helmet and beam yourself up as Mr Titter says U.F.O to two thousand and twelve! A Robert Productions and unitytheatre show. Terry Titter
......................................................... £8 Preview (Wed 12 Dec) £10/£8 concessions (Wed & Thu) £12/£10 concessions (Fri & Sat)
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Comedy
The Art Of Falling Apart Photo by Brian Roberts
Wed 9 – Sat 26 Jan | 8pm ........................................................................................................................... “The humour is loud, non-stop and impeccably timed, perfectly paced with the occasional moment of sentiment; and all this is thoughtfully underwritten with an astute reflection on what it means to be alive. Theatrical entertainment at its best.” Total Theatre Big Wow return with their sell-out hit show following out-of-sorts people living out-of-kilter lives. Book early to avoid massive disappointment. Big Wow Performed by Tim Lynskey and Matt Rutter Scripted and directed by Robert Farquhar Soundscapes by Simon James A Big Wow production in association with unitytheatre
.............................................. £10/£8 concessions (Wed & Thu) £12/£10 concessions (Fri & Sat)
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Participation ........................................................... unitytheatre can offer theatre tours with Q&A sessions, creative workshops, post-show discussions, cross-curricular projects and professional development for practitioners as well as being an Arts Award welcome venue. For more information visit our website or contact: louiseflooks@unitytheatre.co.uk
Exhibitions ........................................................... unitytheatre has exhibition space and showcases local and national artists work throughout the year. Our upcoming artists are: • Joanna Edwards • Richmond Fellowship • Homotopia • Hansel & Gretel Schools
(29 Aug – 29 Sep) (2 Oct – 27 Oct) (30 Oct – 24 Nov) (28 Nov – Jan)
Bar & Room Hire ........................................................... The bar is open one hour before and after shows, beat the queues by pre-ordering your interval drinks. Many of our comfortable spaces are available for hire at competitive prices. We’re able to accommodate anything from rehearsals to meetings, interviews to auditions, wedding receptions to small conferences. We can provide projectors, flipcharts, tea and coffee and facilitate catering for a small extra charge. Discounts are available for charity and community groups. Due to performances our theatre spaces may not be available for hire after 6pm. For more information contact: Chris Hennessey, House Manager chrishennessey@unitytheatre.co.uk
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Donate ........................................................... Donations help us make theatre more accessible, bring drama to those who mightn’t have access and allow us to continue our work with children and young people. It’s easy to donate when you buy tickets through our box office or online. If you’d like to contribute more regularly contact: suewilliams@unitytheatre.co.uk about our standing order ‘Angels’ programme.
Businesses ........................................................... We’re looking for thriving, ambitious companies to work with to develop what we offer and enhance Liverpool’s best-value night out. Secure brand association, reciprocal marketing opportunities and special offers through a partnership that enables business and culture to flourish together. Contact samfreeman@unitytheatre.co.uk for details.
Making Art ........................................................... We are Merseyside and the North West’s key organisation in the development of new companies, practitioners and artists. The Making Art scheme provides a small financial loan with extensive support to aid the development of new shows. Past participants include: Travelled Companions, Big Wow and Random Acts Of Wildness. To find out more and apply visit our website.
Thanks & Patrons ........................................................... Many thanks to Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council, The Makin Charitable Trust, Hope Street Ltd, The Frood Family, Hope Street Hotel and all unityangels and everyone who has donated when booking tickets. Our patrons are (clockwise from top left) Bill Kenwright CBE, John Bishop, David Morrissey, Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE and Andrew Lancel.
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Your Tickets Finding us ........................................................... ........................................................... Booking information can be found on the back of this brochure. Reservations Tickets may be held for up to 3 working days. Group bookings may be held for longer periods. Concessions Discounted tickets may be available for: Over 60s | Under 16s | Full-time students Registered Disabled | Job Seekers | Groups of 10+ Returns & Exchanges unitytheatre does not refund tickets unless in the event of a show cancellation. We may be able to offer to resell tickets for sold out performances. Tickets can be exchanged to alternate performances for 50p per ticket – Tickets must be returned to the box office 48 hours prior to the performance. Latecomers May not be admitted until a suitable point in the performance. Errors and omissions excepted
Our Address 1 Hope Place (Off Hope Street), Liverpool, L1 9BG By Foot 5 mins from the Metropolitan Cathedral (towards the Anglican Cathedral) 30 seconds from the Philharmonic Hall By Train 15 mins by foot from Liverpool Lime Street Station 10 mins by foot from Central Station (up Bold Street) Parking There are local pay-and-display car parks close to the theatre on Falkner Street, Myrtle Street, Cambridge Street and Mount Pleasant. Access unitytheatre is fully accessible with a ramped entrance, lift to all levels and accessible toilets. Large print and audio brochures can be provided on request, We have a radio hearing system in both auditoria For more info contact 0844 873 2888 unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | 31
Buying Tickets
.......................................................... Online Book Securely Online unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk By Phone 0844 873 2888 Mon: 1pm – 6pm Tue – Sat 12pm – 6pm (non performance days) 12pm – 6pm or show time + 15 mins Telephone lines can be very busy from 7pm
In Person Mon: Tue – Sat
1pm – 6pm 12pm – 6pm (non performance days) 12pm – 6pm or show time + 15 mins
A private company limited by guarantee number 3333987 | Registered charity number 1062 463
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