Unity Theatre - Autumn 2015

fresh radical modern theatre unity. box office: 0151 709 4988 unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Hannah Silva: Schlock | 27 Oct

drama family comedy workshops spoken word expect the unexpected.

our highlights.

blog

Lampedusa

Birdhouse

Direct from London, this new hit drama by Anders Lustgarten about mass migration is a Unity co-production.

An Edinburgh fringe hit show filled with surreal comedy horror, wild puppetry, live music and clowning.

See page 7

See page 8

The Princess and The Pea

She Called Me Mother

Our family festive treat for ages 5+ returns to tell the story of a prince, a very tall bed and a hidden pea. See page 10

Liverpool’s BAFTA nominee Cathy Tyson performs this drama about being homeless and elderly. See page 14

Blake Remixed

Splatterdays

William Blake’s iconic poetry meets beatboxer and rapper Testament who celebrates one of Britain’s famous voices.

Our kids arts workshops for ages 5 - 13 are two hours of safe, supervised, messy, brilliantly exciting fun.

See page 17

See page 12

Read new artistic director Matthew Linley’s blog about the new season: unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/blog

The Bogus Woman | 2 - 3 Oct

HighTide Festival Theatre and Soho Theatre in association with Unity Theatre

“ [Lustgarten’s] best yet... brave, bold and moving.”

Michael Billington | The Guardian

Lampedusa

by Anders Lustgarten Wed 23 Sep - Sat 3 Oct

“ an articulate voice to ask these inevitable and necessary questions.”

Financial Times

“ The last words are, of this review

 Times  Independent  Exeunt  The Stage

and of the play- ‘I defy you’- ‘not to feel hope.’”

Last year 4,000 people drowned trying to get to Europe in rickety migrant boats.

Exeunt Magazine

One man pulls bodies out of the Mediterranean; the sea that gave birth to the world. While in the UK, a pay loan collector hears complaints about immigration and the jobs crisis.

“ an effective theatrical production,

Lampedusa is a bold proclamation against the apathy surrounding immigration issues.”

The Upcoming

“ Steven Atkinson’s direction only

proves that great storytelling is all you need to make great theatre: there are no frills or fancy ideas, just perfectly executed simplicity.”

A Younger Theatre

In a story of divide and rule, two strangers strive to find human connection in a world of separation. The story of two Europes - one that people are desperate to enter, and one that people are desperate to keep for themselves.

t #lampedusaplay £14 - £10 | £12 - £8 conc

Tue

Wed

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8pm

29

8pm

30

8pm + Q&A

Thu

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8pm

1

1pm & 8pm

Fri

25

8pm

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9pm

Sat

26

2pm & 8pm

3

7pm

Lampedusa has inspired a companion programme of mini performances and workshops. Check out new work by 20 Stories High (25 Sep), Unity Youth Theatre (26 Sep), Clapperboard (29 Sep), Action Transport (30 Sep) and Collective Encounters (1 Oct).

More? unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/lampedusa

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sep/oct Andy Zaltzman Satirist For Hire

Jeremy Hardy

Thu 17 Sep | 8pm

As heard on Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation, The News Quiz and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue Jeremy Hardy hits the road to begin his 4th decade as a stand-up.

Sat 19 Sep | 8pm

Exasperated by economics, piqued by politics, or wound up about the world? Join The Bugle’s Andy Zaltzman as he responds to your big issues.

An Off The Kerb production

Photo: Idil Sukan @drawHQ

£12

£14 | £5 NUS & unwaged

Birdhouse

Kissing Frogs

Thu 8 Oct | 8pm

Fri 9 - Sat 10 Oct | 7pm

Meet four forgotten survivors of the infamous bird attack in Hitchcock’s The Birds. A comedy horror by ‘joyously anarchic’ Total Theatre award nominees, Jammy Voo.

Meet Jess. 30 years old. Still single. No children. Dead-end job. Join her on her desperate mission... To find a husband.

A comedy set to an 80’s soundtrack. £12 | £10 conc

£12 | £10 conc

Adam Rowe Opinionated Hypocrite

Ticket To Write Fri 16 - Sat 17 Oct | 7:30pm Three one-act plays focused on The Beatles from writers in Merseyside, the USA and London. Enjoy the show and vote for your favourite play.

Sat 10 Oct | 9pm Former Liverpool Comedian Of The Year Adam Rowe (“comic brilliance” Liverpool Echo) brings his new personal and hilarious show.

Your vote counts. £10 | £8 conc

£8 | £5 conc

The Sand Dog Cometh Wed 14 Oct | 8pm Dear audience: What is it you care about?

Mary Pearson pays homage to the avante-garde, to kitsch, shtick, snobbery, trash and easy laughs.

Inspired by ‘high’ and ‘low’ culture, the 70’s, academic language, classic crooners, Rihanna, Scouse fashions, dereliction and shopping centres. £12 | £10 conc

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Krissi Bohn

Coronation Street

The Bogus Woman Fri 2 - Sat 3 Oct | 7pm (Fri) & 9pm (Sat)

“Essential watching … Krissi Bohn acts to vividly realised and blistering perfection” The Independent An African woman flees to a strange country seeking safety and asylum. Despite having committed no crime she is indefinitely confined, interrogated, humiliated and abused. This country is England.

Krissi Bohn (Coronation Street ) brings 51 characters to life to tell this powerful, heart-wrenching story.

Curtis Productions & Theatre by the Lake in association with Mama Quilla Productions

£12 | £10 conc

  Liverpool Echo

The Public Reviews

on Rumplestiltskin

on Rumplestiltskin

 Liverpool Sound & Vision on Rumplestiltskin



Tic

What’s Good To Do

ket

on Rumplestiltskin





on Rumplestiltskin

on Rumplestiltskin

The Stage

Whatsonstage

s fr om £8

- £1 4

Booking Tickets 1. Select Date Once upon a time in a land far away, There was a tall bed and a girl came to stay.

Layer upon layer of soft luxury, But she couldn’t get comfy because of a pea!

Join us this Christmas for our funny, inventive show for families filled with music, dance and song.

Continuing Unity’s successful partnership with acclaimed children’s theatre company Action Transport Theatre, don’t miss this theatrical family festive feast!

Perfect for ages 5+ and their families!

A unitytheatre production in association with Action Transport Theatre Devised by the company Director: Nina Hajiyianni Writer: Kevin Dyer Music & lyrics: Patrick Dineen Design by Theatre and Performance Design students from LIPA unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk | actiontransporttheatre.org | lipa.ac.uk

The colour of the time relates to the price it will cost to go:

December Fri 4 Sat 5 Sat 12 Fri 18 Sat 19 Mon 21 Tue 22 Wed 23 Tue 29 Wed 30 Thu 31

6pm 2pm 11am & 2pm 11am & 2pm 11am & 2pm 2pm & 5.30pm 2pm & 5.30pm 11am & 2pm 2pm & 5.30pm 2pm & 5.30pm 11am & 2pm

January Sat 2 Sat 9

2pm & 5.30pm 11am

2. Find Prices

Different performances are available at different prices (depending on demand, date and time):

www.theprincessandthepea.co.uk

• £14 adult | £12 child £45 (4 tickets - min 1 child)

Past Reviews “This show is definitely one to bring the children to, be prepared to be entranced, delighted and amused at the Unity this Christmas” Whatsonstage on Rumplestiltskin “Highly enjoyable day out for all the family, especially children of a younger age.”

What’s Good To Do on Rumplestiltskin “A wonderful piece of theatre combining all the right elements and supremely enjoyable.”

Liverpool Sound & Vision on Rumplestiltskin

• £12 adult | £10 child £34 (4 tickets - min 1 child) • £8 all tickets £30 (4 tickets - min 1 child)

3. Book Tickets

Book online: unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk By phone: 0151 709 4988 Mon - Sat 1pm to 6pm In person: 1 Hope Place, Liverpool Mon - Sat 1pm to 6pm

shows and workshops for all the family

Saturday Splatterdays Splatterday’s arts workshops for 5 - 13s at Unity are filled to the brim with making, acting, storytelling and play sessions. 2 hours of safe supervised fun with highly experienced practitioners to learn new skills, gain self confidence and meet new friends.

Free taster sessions: Sat 3 Oct (part of the Liverpool Fun Palaces weekend - see website) Regular sessions: Sat 17, Sat 31 Oct, Sat 14 & Sat 28 Nov 10am - 12pm (5 - 8s) | 1pm - 3pm (9 - 13s) £5 a session £3 a session for those in receipt of income support Splatts bookers save 10% when booking for Curious, Happily Ever After, Gulliver or The Poetry Joe Show*

blog

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Read participation co-ordinator Louise Flooks’ blog about the return of Splatts: unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/blog

8+ ag es

7+ ag es

Happily Ever After

Gulliver

Thu 17 - Sat 19 Sep 6pm (Thu), 1:30pm (Fri), 11am & 2pm (Sat)

Fri 23 & Sat 24 Oct | 6pm (Fri), 2pm & 6pm (Sat)

The Prince is told he has to marry to become a grown-up. But none of the princesses who visit impress him. Until one princess comes to the palace accompanied by her brother...

Action Transport Theatre use comedy clowning to tell this delightfully funny twist on the traditional tale.

When Gulliver returns from another amazing trip to sea, his family are more than a little perplexed.

They had just about coped with giants and tiny people, but a world ruled by horses?

Join Gulliver and his family as they learn to live in a strange new world where weird is the new normal.

Part of Liverpool Irish Festival | A Big Telly and MAC, Belfast co-production

Book Happily Ever After and Gulliver and save 10%!*

ag es

an d ag es

3

3+

£6 all tickets

Book Happily Ever After and Gulliver and save 10%!*

un de r

£6 all tickets

Curious

The Poetry Joe Show

Sat 10 Oct | 11am, 2pm & 4pm

Sat 21 Nov | 11am & 2pm

A laugh-out-loud show for the very young and the curiously inquisitive – a perfect intro to theatre that explores cake making as you have never seen before.

Meet Poetry Joe, poet extraordinaire in his magical light-up world of fabulous foods, beastly bugs and peculiar pets. Perfect for ages 3+ and their families.

£6 all tickets *Maximum of one offer can be applied to any booking

£6 all tickets

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oct That’s Amore Wed 28 Oct | 8pm

 Liverpool Echo  The Public Reviews “A Richard Curtis romcom reworked by DV8” The Guardian Hilarious and passionate physical theatre exploring the vast world of romantic love: from chance encounters to hidden desires and the science of romance, discover what makes our hearts beat faster.

A Tmesis Theatre production | Commissioned by unitytheatre

£12 | £10 conc

She Called Me Mother Thu 29 - Sat 31 Oct | 8pm & 4pm Sat matinee + Fri Q&A Evangeline waits for a little warmth and kindness.

She waits for a ticket home to Trinidad, the sun, the mango trees and street vendors. She waits for the daughter she let walk away.

Starring BAFTA and Golden Globe nominee Cathy Tyson who has performed Liverpool Everyman as well as alongside Bob Hoskins in the iconic film Mona Lisa.

Pitch Lake Productions with Tara Arts for Black Theatre Live Written by Michelle Inniss | Directed by Cara Nolan

Si te

Sp ec ifi c

Th ea tre

£12 | £10 conc

On The Verge Wed 21 - Sun 25 Oct | times & venues vary An exciting and dynamic festival, showcasing provocative new work by emerging artists in unusual places and spaces. A unique chance to experience performances from some of the most innovative companies in the North West today.

For prices, locations and further information visit hope-street.org or unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk.

See website for details

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That’s Amore | 28 Oct

Image by Field & McGlynn

Image by Field & McGlynn

phrased & confused

Jess Green: Burning Books

Hannah Silva: Schlock!

Testament: Blake Remixed

Tue 13 Oct | 8pm

Tue 27 Oct | 8pm

Tue 17 Nov | 8pm

‘Brilliant. I loved it’ Josie Long

Hannah’s ripped up Fifty Shades of Grey and now attempts to put the female body back together.

World record holding beatboxer and rapper Testament smashes together UK hip hop with William Blake’s iconic poetry. Celebrating the greatest counter-cultural voices in British history with music, live DJ, storytelling and interactive video.

Jess Green & The Mischief Thieves tell stories of everyday underdogs, from Janice on the picket line to Movember-man Kev and zealot librarian Sandra. Don’t miss this topical and humorous commentary on the state of education. £10 | £8 conc £6 under 23s (limited availability)

Join her for pleasure and pain, mothers and babies, domination and submission as we discover there are no safe words...

Produced by Penned in the Margins

£10 | £8 conc £6 under 23s (limited availability)

Presented by West Yorkshire Playhouse, LittleMighty and Testament

£10 | £8 conc £6 under 23s (limited availability)

developing new work Scratch Night Tue 20 Oct | 8pm Brand new shows from local and national companies. See exciting excerpts of new work followed by Q&As with the artists. The perfect chance to see the future of theatre, today. Find out how to get involved on our website.

Pay What You Can! blog

Read new artistic director Matthew Linley’s blog about how we develop and support new talent: unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/blog

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homotopia2015 Ecce Homo Thu 5 - Sat 7 Nov | 7:30pm (Thu & Fr) & 9pm (Sat) Naughty Nickers returns with his “astonishing” cabaret, recounting his life with the Bloolips, the AIDS tsunami of the 1980s and his lifelong romance with Dr Jeff of San Francisco, told through story and song.

Full of laughter, anger, wit and lots of glitter - what’s not to like? Funny, moving and full of joy! £14 | £12 conc

Blood Thu 12 Nov | 7:30pm A captivating show that goes beyond dance. Jean Abreu’s new work is a celebration of the strange beauty of life, collaborating with artists Gilbert & George, with animation by digital artists Mirko Arcese and Luca Biada, and music by Paul Wolinski of glitch rock band 65daysofstatic.

By Jean Abreu Dance | Co-commissioned by the Royal Opera House

£10 | £8 conc

Sarah Waters In Conversation Fri 13 Nov | 7:30pm Join Sarah Waters as she talks about her latest Baileys women’s fiction prize nominated novel, The Paying Guests. Her previous novels include the award-winning Tipping the Velvet and Fingersmith, both of which were adapted for BBC dramas. £14 | £12 conc

Middle of the Road

Bourgeois & Maurice and David Hoyle Sat 14 Nov | 7:30pm A celebration of everything that makes life boring.

Mixing bland pop music with original songs, live art, searing commentary and multimedia for a journey to the the mainstream. Everything you ever wanted to happen to a Katie Melua song. And more. £15 | £12 conc

homotopia2015 I’m thrilled Homotopia is returning to Unity for our 12th outing with new work, UK premieres and festival firsts. Look out for PanicLab’s latest show Theseus Beefcake, the welcome return of festival favourite David Hoyle and the astonishing Ecce Homo. Enjoy the festival!

Gary Everett | Artistic Director

Scratch & See

Polari

Tue 3 Nov | 7:30pm

Wed 4 Nov | 7:30pm

Join Homotopia to see extracts of some of the latest new work being created locally & nationally as part of Queercore Artists Development.

London’s award-winning LGBT literary salon returns showcasing the best in queer literary talent hosted by Paul Burston with guest authors and performers.

£5

£10 | £7 conc

Let’s Talk About Gay Sex & Drugs Fri 6 Nov | 6pm An open forum to discuss sex and drug use amongst the gay male community. All welcome, whether to speak or listen. free event

The Butch Monologues

Big Girl’s Blouse

Theseus Beefcake

Sat 7 Nov | 7:30pm

by PanicLab

Fri 6 Nov | 9pm

Who knew what transgender was in the 1970s? Not Kate’s family.

The path to becoming a woman isn’t always smooth. See Kate make a song and dance about her life using humour, music and costume to tell her story.

Tue 10 - Wed 11 Nov | 7:30pm

A international collection of urgent, humorous monologues moving the negative, socially-threatening concept of female masculinity into a place of pride. £10 | £8 conc

£12 | £10 conc

PanicLab’s Joseph Mercier and Jordan Lennie push against their personal thresholds of pain and pleasure in this duet exploring masculine excess,fantasy, friendship and competition. £10 | £8 conc

more: homotopia.net

Li ve

&

O nl in e!

nov Liverpool Theatre Live Thu 19 Nov | stream from 1pm Join us as we celebrate Liverpool’s theatre scene in a live stream transmitted around the world.

Your chance to get a sneaky peek at rehearsals and other behind the scenes goings on, grab a front row seat for exclusive interviews and mini performances, and take part in Q&As. Dip in and out (we’ll publish the schedule nearer the time), or get yourself settled for the whole day, this is Liverpool theatre as you’ve never seen it!

Produced by Unity Theatre.

Ph ilh ar m on ic

Ha ll

watch on our website for free

Unity Theatre & LAF present

The Festival Sessions Sun 22 Nov | Philharmonic Hall | 7:30pm Acoustic bliss comes to Liverpool Philharmonic Hall’s new Music Room with two top performers.

Robert Vincent has supported Paul Carrack and James Blunt. “A young man filled with dreams, regret and shocking talent” MOJO. Gary Edward Jones fuses folk, country and pop and has supported singer-songwriter Tom Baxter.

An event leading up to Liverpool Acoustic Festival (18 – 20 Mar 2016)

£12

Home Tue 24 - Wed 25 Nov | 8pm Inspired by Euripides’ Medea, this new theatre show explores feelings of suppression, desire, love, betrayal & revenge. Home mirrors the current political reality, to create a provocative and humorous commentary on our contemporary lives.

Directed by Yorgos Karamalegos (Tmesis Theatre) and created and performed with international artists Despina Sidiropoulou & Tatiana Spivakova.

A co-production with Hope Street Ltd & Physical Lab | www.yorgosk.com

£12 | £10 conc

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dec

Featuring: Brennan Reece, Jamie Sutherland, Sully O’Sullivan, John Gordillo, Adam Rowe, Phil Chapman and John Hastings

Christmas & New Year Comedy Hot Water Comedy Club

Sat 5, Thu 10 - Sat 12, Thu 17 - Sat 19 and 31 Dec Hot Water Comedy Club comes to Unity Theatre with eight fantastic quality comedy shows.

Expect the very best in live comedy with some of the biggest comedians on the UK circuit. Visit our website to find details to see who is performing.

£12 - £23 (prices depend on date)

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participate We deliver educational projects for those in school, college and university as well as open workshops for the wider community. We offer theatre tours with Q&A sessions with unity staff, creative workshops at the theatre or your school or venue, post-show discussions, bespoke creative projects, professional development workshops and much more. For more information visit our website or contact louiseflooks@unitytheatre.co.uk.

unity youth theatre Open to all young people from 14 - 18 years our Youth Theatre works with professional theatre companies and practitioners, gaining experience in the performing arts and developing a variety of skills to create performances on our stages.

Contact: uyt@unitytheatre.co.uk

The Destitution Roadshow Fri 2 Oct | 4:30pm - 6pm Asylum Link’s event about migration and asylum from a UK & Liverpool perspective.

Free

Theatre For Social Change Sat 3 Oct | 10am - 5pm Led by Collective Encounters’ Sarah Thornton & Lampedusa playwright Anders Lustgarten. £30

Physical Theatre Beginners

Professional Masterclass

Sat 17 Oct | 1:30pm - 4:40pm

Wed 21 Oct | 5:30pm - 8pm

Join Tmesis Theatre for an introduction to using physical theatre techniques.

Creating physical theatre using Tmesis’ rigorous style of training.

£10

£10

The Art Of Lyric Writing

That’s Amore School Workshop

Fri 23 Oct | 2pm - 5pm

Available for schools booking tickets to That’s Amore. The first group of 20+ will receive their workshop for free.

What is the art of lyric writing for the theatre? Led by the acclaimed Patrick Dineen. £10

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W or ks ho p

sa du e p m La

O ffSi te

Ev en t

workshops & events

Contact us for details

booking & information buying tickets

access

terms & conditions

Available from our box office, by phone or via our website.

Unity has a ramped entrance, lift to all levels and accessible toilets.

We charge 50p per transaction for card payments.

We have a radio hearing system in both our theatres and loops in the box office and bar.

For information on concessions, exchanges, refunds, resales, reservations, data protection and cancellations please visit:

Latecomers are not admitted until a suitable point in the show.

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/t&c

Enquire at the box office for details.

volunteer

keep in touch

thanks

Unity’s team of volunteers are essential for our success.

t

Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council, The Makin Charitable Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, The Frood Family, Hope Street Hotel, Sefton MBC, unityangels and all our donors.

If you’d like to get involved then please e-mail us: chrishennessey@unitytheatre.co.uk

unitytheatre

f facebook.com/unitytheatre Y youtube.com/unitytheatre 0 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG

support us.

hire our spaces.

As a charity we need you to help us continue the great work we do developing new artists, bringing the best shows to our city and working with children and throughout our community.

Looking for an inspirational space? Our unique rooms range from our intimate bar to the main theatre seating around 150. Perfect for rehearsals, meetings, away days, launches, workshops and interviews - hire a room with a theatrical twist!

You can support unity by donating when you purchase tickets, by becoming a regular giver or by making a one-off donation.

More information:

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/hireus

Visit our website to find how you can help.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this brochure.

Errors and omissions excepted.

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boxoffice: 0151 709 4988

No w Bo ok

Bo ok

No w

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Lip Service: Move Over Moriarty

Stephen K Amos: The Laughter Master

Thu 14 - Sat 16 Jan | 8pm | £14 (£12 conc)

Tue 26 Jan | 8pm | £17

The acclaimed LipService move effortlessly from frock to frock coat in this hilarious Victorian thriller.

The maestro of feel-good comedy as seen on Mock The Week and Live at the Apollo.

Patrons: Bill Kenwright CBE, Josette Bushell Mingo OBE David Morrissey, Andrew Lancel, John Bishop.

Funded by

A private company limited by guarantee number 3333987 | Registered charity number 1062 463