Summer 2014 Brochure

Apr - Aug

what’s on

0844 873 2888 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

For over 30 years we’ve been supporting and nurturing new companies, actors, directors and writers to create quality, provocative and exciting shows.

We are the grassroots of new theatre, where convention is challenged, daring shows are created, stories are shared and lives are changed.

Join us on our journey.

Unity has been absolutely critical to my career. Without it I doubt I’d ever have written the plays I have...

Our hit show Gold Mountain has been seen in Liverpool, London, Sweden, Canada and Mexico!

Robert Farquhar Writer & Director

Unity gave me the opportunity to perform in my first one woman show and tour it all over the UK!

In 2012/13 our Christmas show The Pied Piper played to over 3,500 primary school children in Liverpool and beyond.

Susannah Freeman Actor

Unity has helped us from the beginning to become the UK’s leading LGBT arts festival.

Gary Everett Homotopia

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Yummm Sat 12 Apr | 11:30am & 2:30pm

h our Ma A highly imaginative celebration of food using dance, live music, quirky design and amusing eating utensils that’s perfect for children aged 4 - 8 years and their families.

A Tell Tale Hearts production

£8 adults | £6 children

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Rubbish Sat 3 May | 11:30am & 2:30pm

h our Ma Imagine a world that celebrates rubbish. A world where at a single touch the contents of a bin bag can change before your eyes!

A visually stunning and playful new show.

A Theatre Rites Production

£8 adults | £6 children

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Luna Sat 10 May | 11:30am & 2:30pm

h our Ma It’s lonely being the moon. All alone with just the stars for company. An enchanting family show about friendship, the moon and being brave in the dark.

Theatre Hullabaloo and Theatr lolo

£8 adults | £6 children

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demonstrates evidence of deadly acts by Americans abroad

Roberts & Farrett give powerful, memorable performances RemoteGoat

Reviews Gate

Giles Roberts’ astonishingly good performance Exeunt Magazine

Desert Tue 8 - Thu 10 Apr | 8pm US Intelligence analyst Bradley Manning allegedly leaked classified documents to WikiLeaks. He was sentenced to 35 years in jail for this crime.

A multimedia exploration of this significant yet little known figure’s extraordinary story.

How did this 25 year old soldier become the centrepiece in a war between WikiLeaks and the American government?

A MolinoGroup production Written by Edward Fortes | Directed by Bethany Pitts

£12 full price | £10 conc

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Comedy.

Some of the world’s best comedians have performed at Unity including Sarah Millican, Stewart Lee and our patron John Bishop.

Our previews give you chance to see the new shows of acclaimed performers before they hit the Edinburgh Festival stages.

Preview shows* Tickets for preview shows are £8 Book 2 shows for £14 (£7 per show) Book 3 shows for £18 (£6 per show) Book 4 shows for £20 (£5 per show) *T&Cs apply - see website for details

Gary Delaney

Improvageddon

Tue 15 Apr | 8pm | £12

Wed 30 Apr | 8pm | £8

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 The Independent Gary has appeared on Mock The Week, and Dave’s One Night Stand, Expect: jokes.

Don’t expect: narrative, themes, whimsy or a voyage of self-discovery.

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h our Ma Four teams enter, only one team leaves in this epic improvised battle. Improv duelling at its sharpest and you, the audience, decide who shall be crowned champion.

All profits go to the winning team’s choice of charity.

An Impropriety and unitytheatre show.

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Rob Deering Glenn Wool Fri 25 Jul | 7pm

h our Ma Canadian cult comedian (‘Edgy, imaginative, funny and original’ Daily Telegraph) Glenn Wool shares his favourite jokes from a 20 year career spread across 5 continents. As seen on Netflix & Russell Howards Good News!

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h our Ma Acclaimed stand-up headliner Rob Deering’s (‘brilliant musical comedian’ Time Out) brand new show, cramming more charm, laughs and tunes than you’d think possible. Rob is a regular at London’s Comedy Store!

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Tue 22 Jul | 9pm

Sara Pascoe

The Art Of Falling Apart

Wed 23 Jul | 9.15pm

h our Ma Sara Pascoe Vs History - The past contains wars, witches, Kim Yong-Il and your ex. TV includes Sara on QI and Live at the Apollo.

‘Always clever and sometimes exquisite’ The Independent

Mon 28 Jul | 9.15pm

h our Ma Big Wow return with their sell-out show about out-of-sorts people living out-of-kilter lives.

Supported by Unity Theatre.

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Beside The Seaside

All Shook Up

Tue 6 - Sat 10 May | 8pm But wh our Ma

Tue 13 - Sat 17 May | 7:30pm

‘A comedy drama that both challenges and makes you laugh.’

Nerve Magazine

One fine day, a girl named Mags, Decides a trip is needed, fun to be had.

Along with her three new friends, They all head to the lights of pier end.

So fasten your belts, hold on to your seats, You’re in for a comedic funfair treat!

Musical comedy featuring the timeless music of Elvis Presley. 1950s Midwestern America where a young guitar-playing, motorcycle-riding, leather jacket-clad stranger meets a small town girl and changes everything with music, romance and good old rock‘n’roll.

A Power3 productions show

A Teapot Tantrum production

An amateur production presented through special arrangement with and all authorised performance materials are supplied by Theatrical Rights Worldwide

£12 (£10 conc)

£10 (£8 conc)

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Cotton Wool Tue 20 - Wed 21 May | 8pm On the rain lashed coast of an empty estuary, teenage brothers Callum and Gus are desperate to discover what lies beneath the waves. When they spot young runaway Harriet, their search is thrown into chaos as brother is pitted against brother.

A darkly comic tale of anxiety, confusion, and the boredom of teenage life.

Two Tides

by George Garrett Wed 28 May | 8pm But wh our Ma

George Garrett: Merchant seaman, radical, campaigner, writer and a founder of The Unity Theatre, he sailed the world, writing short stories and plays.

This rehearsed reading of his first play, is set in a Liverpool family’s living room and is influenced by Garrett’s hero, Eugene O’Neill.

The Public Reviews on Peter Pan

A Writing on the Wall event supported by unitytheatre.

For the Heritage Lottery George Garrett Archive Project.

An Off The Ground production

Find out more at: georgegarrettarchiveproject.co.uk Directed by Carl Cockram

£10 (£8 conc)

£6 (£4 conc)

‘Another triumph for Off The Ground’

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PhysicalFest.

Tmesis Theatre’s 10th annual international festival of physical theatre with workshops, film and the world’s best new physical shows.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary Unity is hosting an exhibition of images alongside original prints from resident artist, Gill Smith.

Each night there will be food available before and after festival shows. You can also join us in the new Festival Club, with live DJ, dancing and drinks in Unity’s bar.

For our full programme of events visit: tmesistheatre.com

FestivalPass

A ticket for every PhysicalFest show for just £45 | T&C apply

Double Bill Sat 24 May | 8pm | £10 (£8 conc) Mary Pearson and Klowns present short versions of their new shows. Mary Pearson’s ‘If you were a hundred of me’ explores snobbery, trash tv and easy laughs. Klowns’ ‘We’re Writing A Play’ is a timeless tale of death, love and failing to put on a show.

The show will include two additional short extracts of work from Conflux, early career artists.

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Red Bastard Othello Tue 27 May | 8pm | £12 (£10 conc)

Fri 30 May | 8pm | £12 (£10 conc)

 The Scotsman

Othello as you have never seen it before!

A modern fusion of the latest technologies and ancient arts in a powerful and visually stunning reinvention of the popular and dramatic tragedy. In partnership with Brazuka

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Red Bastard is a dangerous, seductive comedy monster. His mission: To charm, disarm, shock & seduce. His target: YOU.

Fest Live

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Oh No!

Fri 23 May | 8pm

27 - 28 May | from 5pm*

Sat 31 May | 8pm

5 extracts, 5 companies, 1 night of physical theatre.

With styles ranging from clown to dance theatre and hosted by very special comic guest comperes.

An intimate ‘locked room’ thriller inspired mystery. 15 people share a prison cell with a couple trying to put together the mysterious death of their relationship.

Fringe First winner Jamie Wood returns to Physical Fest following the success of 2013’s Beating McEnroe with a new comic physical theatre show.

£10 (£8 conc)

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£10 (£8 conc)

*Every 20mins until 7.40pm

find out more: tmesistheatre.com

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Carousel Wed 4 - Sat 7 Jun | 7:30pm ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone.’

Voted the greatest musical of the 20th century by Time Magazine. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s second and darkest musical deals with serious issues that had been unseen to many musical theatre audiences with beautiful melodies and memorable songs.

What We Did Next puts its contemporary stamp on this timeless piece.

Music by Richard Rodgers | Book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II | An amateur production by arrangement with R&H Theatricals Europe.

£12 - £10 (£10 - £8 conc)

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War Correspondents Fri 13 - Sat 14 Jun | 8pm But wh our Ma

Reporting the outbreak of war, a journalist is held at gunpoint, caught in the no-man’s land between two nations.

Created by Frantic Assembly’s Olivier award winner (Black Watch) Steven Hoggett and acclaimed composer Helen Chadwick, the show fuses authentic interviews with music and physicality to tell the story of those who risk their lives in extreme circumstances.

Commissioned by Greenwich + Docklands International Festival, Sage Gateshead and New Writing North.

£12 (£10 conc)

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2014

Funoon Wa Alwane Tue 10 Jun | 8pm Funoon Dance Company present the joyful and colourful Middle Eastern dance with rarely-heard regional folkloric music.

A special local community show for everyone.

£10 (£8 conc)

Waiting For Summer Wed 11 - Thu 12 Jun | 8pm Four gripping, funny, touching short plays about Arab women in revolution by some of the UK and Middle East’s best writers.

A Swivel Theatre Company show

£10 (£8 conc)

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Scratch Night Tue 17 Jun | 8pm | £5

h our Ma Brand new shows from local and national companies. See exciting excerpts of work in development followed by an informal Q&A and networking opportunities!

Visit our website for more information.

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Sir Henry at Rawlinson End Wed 18 Jun | 8pm | £14 (£12 conc) ur Ma ‘A tour de force’

Neil Innes

A world of comic characters, from Great Aunt Florrie to the heroically drunk Sir Henry are brought to life in this rave-reviewed adaptation of Vivian Stanshall’s cult LP. There is a Q&A after the show | www.sirhenrylives.com

The Curious Disappearance Of Mr Foo Sat 21 Jun | 8pm | £10 (£8 conc)

h our Ma An Irish Catholic reflects on lost love, her Chinese fiancé repatriated by force, 1940’s Liverpool, racism and betrayal.

The Sound Agents | There is a Q&A after this show

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Captivating from the very beginning..

A visual treat..

a truly entertaining and engaging piece of theatre

..a dark and exhilarating journey..

madeup.lv

Liverpool Live

Total Theatre

Wolf Red Tue 24 - Wed 25 Jun | 8pm Deep in the woods, a woman is prisoner.

But is her captor a predator of her body or mind? Fairytale and reality blur in a menacing, entertaining exploration into the dark side of human nature.

Tmesis Theatre use skillful physicality and a playful original soundtrack in this quirky and disturbingly memorable show.

A Tmesis Theatre production By the company and writer Chris Fittock, with input from Fin Walker, Lorna Marshall and Nigel Charnock (the late co-founder of DV8).

ÂŁ12 full price | ÂŁ10 conc

Supported by

...from the creator of acclaimed ITV series Broadchurch...

by Chris Chibnall

Thu 26 Jun - Sat 5 Jul | 7:30pm & 2:30pm Northbridge Town are in trouble.

Administration looming, talentless players and at the foot of League Two. Only a good run in the FA cup can save their season and struggling manager George from oblivion.

Chris Chibnall’s (Broadchurch, Torchwood, Dr Who) hilariously funny, acclaimed play about homophobia, useless defenders, sexuality and the beautiful game.

A unitytheatre show created in association with Lives Of Others Theatre

When the club’s new star striker propels them into an FA Cup match against the mighty Liverpool, an unexpected moment between star player and manager sends George’s life spinning out of control.

Performed by Simon Hedger Written by Chris Chibnall Directed by Sam Freeman Lighting design by Julie Kearney

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 £14 | £12 conc  £12 | £10 conc  All tickets £8  All tickets £5 £3 unemployed for Wed matinee - limited availability

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Candleford Tue 8 - Wed 9 Jul | 7:30pm | £10 (£8) Image by Andreas Krappweis - sxc.hu

h our Ma A lost world of rural life in an Oxfordshire village in the early 20th century by writer Flora Thompson. Candleford premiered in 1979 at the National Theatre and is revived in this amateur production by Merseyside Academy Of Drama.

A Merseyside Academy Of Drama production by kind permission of Samuel French Ltd.

The Ghosts Of Kirkdale 11 - 12 Jul | 7pm & 2pm (Sat) | £5.50

h our Ma Abandoned children plan to escape a Victorian Liverpool school. A poignant yet funny story of friendship in 1880s Liverpool is brought to life with song and music.

By Lyn Wakefield | Directed by Maureen Bryan Funded by Scottish Power Foundation

Ticket To Write Tue 15 - Wed 16 Jul | 7:30pm | £10 (£8)

h our Ma Three one-act plays from an international field focused on The Beatles or the 60s’ Mersey music scene. Vote for your favourite to help choose the Ticket To Write winner!

Ace Drama production | Artistic Director: Martin Henshell

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Queertet Thu 17 - Fri 18 Jul | 8pm Queertet returns for its third year!

Queertet is a no holds barred celebration of LGBT theatre wrapped up in four short plays and one hilarious evening.

A previous finalist of SEEN Magazine Event of the Year, this sassy, saucy and deeply satisfying evening is the perfect opener to Pride season.

Recommended 18+ A Grin Theatre Company production

£10

Learning

Gallery

Get more out of your visit to unity!

We have gallery space on our first and second floor that displays work from local artists. The gallery space is open from 1pm, Monday to Saturday, and is free to look around!

• Claire Stringer (1 Apr – 26 Apr) • Ruth Piper (29 Apr - 31 May) • Andrew Ness (3 - 28 Jun) • Sue White (1 Jul - 2 Aug)

Check our website or ask when booking about our Q&As, events and workshops.

This season we’ve a family workshop to accompany Rubbish, where you can create your own puppets, bringing life to discarded everyday objects.

Find out more: unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

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Previews.

“Every August performers go to Edinburgh for the internationally acclaimed festival and fringe. It’s a thriving festival where new and known talent stands side by side and show their work, from comedy & theatre to dance

and spoken word, to an audience of over 1.8 million people! We’re thrilled to be previewing some of these shows heading to Scotland to get rave reviews. I hope you get chance to see some of them with us!”

Graeme Phillips | Artistic Director

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Icarus Tue 22 Jul | 7pm | £8

h our Ma In 2010 plans were set out to establish a human settlement on Mars by 2024. They received over 1/4 million applicants for the one-way mission. Square Peg Theatre use their physical, cinematic style to ask what would drive someone from Earth forever.

‘Developed With’ the Lowry Theatre | Supported by Harrogate Theatre, Granada Foundation & Arts Council England.

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Grace And The Sea Wed 23 - Thu 24 Jul | 7pm | £10 (£8)

h our Ma Shipwrecks, brave life-boat men and a living chorus of Anthony Gormley statues transport you to ‘Another Place’ in this celebration of an amazing landscape.

A MATE Productions show | Funded by Arts Council England and the BBC Performing Arts Fund

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MenSWEAR Collection Sat 26 Jul | 8pm Two new plays exploring male relationships.

Three. Two. F*ck: Fame fights integrity and success battles principle in this play about mates, music and mortality.

SPUNK: Is sleeping with a disabled man a public service? Are prostitutes just therapists in disguise? A play about spiders, super heroes, Socrates and sex.

A Lights Up Entertainment production Contains strong language

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£10 (£8 conc)

The Ingenious Gentleman

Don Quixote of La Mancha Mon 28 Jul | 7pm But wh our Ma

The famous and most extravagant dreams and adventures lived by Don Quixote of La Mancha are re-enacted as never before by a fat Spanish lady, another with a moustache and an Englishman lost in translation.

A Little Soldier Productions show

£10 (£8 conc)

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Stories From The Sea Fri 1 - Sat 2 Aug | 7:30pm | £8 (£6 conc)

h our Ma It’s Tom’s first trip to New York as a Cunard Yank, his mind opened wide by the world of music and popular culture he’s seen only in the movies...

Guinness Girls banter at break time about film stars, dreams and working at the docks, while Rita, a busy mother struggles to feed her brood of kids since her fella fell for the Big Apple, big time…

Image by Adam Sloan

Unity Youth Theatre explore 1950s family life, music, community, and how Liverpool was shaped by its port city heritage.

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Unity Youth Theatre works with young people aged 14 to 18 to develop drama and life skills. Visit the Unity website for more information!

The Remarkable Tale Of

for curious children and their grown ups

Once upon a time, so the story was told, a funny little man turned straw to gold!

A family show with song, dance and fun, a musical adventure perfect for everyone!

Tue 2 Dec - Sat 10 Jan | Tickets from £8

A Unity Theatre and Action Transport Theatre production

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Support Us

Many of our spaces are available to hire for meetings, rehearsal, conferences, seminars and performances. For more information please e-mail: chrishennessey@unitytheatre.co.uk

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

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

Booking Reservations may be held for up to 3 days.

Group booking may be held longer. We offer concessions for most shows for over 60s, under 16s, students, registered disabled and job seekers.

• £1 to post out tickets • 50p per ticket to exchange tickets We do not refund tickets unless a show is cancelled. We may be able to resell tickets for sold out shows or exchange them to alternative performances if tickets are returned 48 hours prior to the show.

Latecomers will not be allowed in until a suitable point in the performance.

John Bishop Fundraiser October 2013

We rely on support from our audience to help us produce exciting new work, develop artists and give children their first experience of quality live theatre.

You can support us by seeing shows, donating when buying tickets, being a regular contributor with our angels scheme, joining as a corporate partner and telling as many people people as possible about us and the work we do!

Brochure designed by Sam Freeman

Hire Us

Access

h our Ma unitytheatre has 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 our theatre spaces.

Thanks

h our Ma Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council, The Makin Charitable Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, The Frood Family, Hope Street Hotel, Business in the Arts: North West, all unityangels, Everton In The Community and everyone who donated when booking tickets.

Errors and omissions excepted

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

boxoffice: 0844 873 2888 unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG Monday: 1pm - 6pm Tuesday to Saturday: 12pm - 6pm

Our 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