Unity Theatre Spring Brochure 2018 by Unity Theatre

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JANUARY-MAY 2018

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Book BOOKNow NOW:0151 0151 709 709 4988 4988 || unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

TECHNICAL BOX

B C

STAGE L

STAGE

Due to the modular nature of our spaces our seating arrangements are subject to change. Please check the venue layout

with a member of the Ticket Sales team.

BOOKING YOUR TICKETS Book online

Fees - No booking fees. £1 postage applies

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

for postal tickets. You can now print your

Call a member of our friendly Ticket Sales team 0151 709 4988 Visit us in person – our city centre Ticket Sales Office is open Mon – Sat 12pm - 6pm. On performance days the Ticket office is

ticket at home! All details in this brochure are correct at time of printing but we reserve the right to change any of the information herein. Please see unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk for the most up to date information.

open until the start of the performance. On Saturday Splatterdays the box office

The boring bit:

opens at 9:30am.

Ticket sales are subject to Unity Theatre’s

Ticket Sales Office Address: 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG

current Terms and Conditions which may be viewed at unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/t&c

ACCESS Unity Theatre has an entrance from the street with stepped access to the foyer as well as a lift. A ramped entrance to the side of the front of the building is also available, as is a lift to all levels and accessible toilets. We have a radio hearing system in both of our theatres and loops in ticket sales office and bar. Please enquire at ticket sales for details. Unity Theatre is a private company limited by guarantee number 3333987. Registered charity number 1062 463

Cover image by Manuel Vason

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I can clearly remember sitting in

WELCOME

Along the way I’ve had the joy of

the auditorium of Unity as the

working alongside some brilliant

incoming Artistic Director, watching

and talented people – artists, staff,

the technical rehearsals of

trustees, funders and partners –

Rumpelstiltskin. Three years later,

here in Liverpool and further afield.

no not just three years later, after

I’ll particularly miss Unity’s

three AMAZING years, I’m really sad

nurturing role for new and often

to be leaving Unity Theatre.

alternative work – this season we

It has been a privilege to lead this incredible and vital theatre during a particularly exciting period of its history. I’m proud of so much that has happened on and off our stages – from Nina – a story about me and

support Tooth and Nail, Katy-Anne Bellis, Alice Bunker-Whitney and Altered Scale Theatre & Petite Ullaloom as well as providing a brilliant platform for local artists at our Scratch Night 6 March.

Nina Simone (probably the biggest

I’ll miss Liverpool and Hope Street.

show we have ever staged) which

I’ve loved working in a city which

returns 17 – 24 March, to our capital

truly believes in art and culture

programme #BuildUnityBetter, from

and which has the level of openness

seeing Splatts take off again – to all

and partnership we have here, a city

the exciting developments we’ve seen

where good ideas are encouraged,

with our very special seasonal show

nurtured and enabled. A city

partnership with Action Transport –

that is wonderfully both bonkers

last’s year’s very special show Little

and brilliant.

Red and the Big Bad Wolf returns 17 – 18 January. In December you could have seen a Unity show here in Liverpool (The Jungle Book), in Stockholm’s National Theatre (Nina – a story about me and Nina Simone), in Manchester and in Kendal (Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf). Unity Theatre really is Liverpool’s small theatre which punches way beyond its weight.

But enough of this reminiscing – we have a whole spring season to get into. Don’t miss Nina, of course, and The Damned United returns too – but we also have the brilliant UK premiere of an American dark comedy; Dead and Breathing – another Unity co-production, this time we’re working with The Albany and Arch468 7 – 17 February with tickets from just £8.50!

Yours,

Matthew Linley

Artistic Director & CEO

BUILD UNITY BETTER

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

You may have noticed a few changes

The most visible work includes major

at the Unity over the past few months

changes to the Unity’s façade and

– and we hope you will agree the

main entrance in Hope Place, and the

much-loved old theatre has a new

opening up of the first floor to

glow and energy about it.

create a stunning new bar area and

Our £845,000 Build Unity Better capital project, driven with the help of Liverpool architects K2,

public space across the whole of the building’s frontage, with beautiful views of the historic street outside.

project managers Through and

Downstairs, the box office has

Around and contractors and social

been moved and the foyer made

enterprise Vivark, was unveiled in

more open and welcoming, while

June after a six-month closure,

our staff have an airy office on

and is physical evidence of our

the second floor from which to

ambition to ‘think big’.

plan the theatre’s exciting future

The theatre regulars among you will

programmes and projects.

be aware we had wanted to tackle

The redevelopment of the building,

some issues for a number of years,

which started life as a synagogue in

including improving the audience

1857, was supported by investment

experience and ‘flow’ around the

from Arts Council England and

building, generally making the best

Liverpool City Council, as well as a

use of our compact facilities, and

number of foundations – Garfield

sorting out some essential

Weston Foundation, Granada

maintenance and repairs.

Foundation, Ravensdale Trust, P H Holt Foundation, a bequest from the estate of Miss B A Hough, and a whole host of individual donors a big thank you to them all!

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photography: Simon Buckley

HIRE OUR SPACES

The reimagined Unity Theatre is more versatile than ever! There are more opportunities to use our spaces for your event, with prices to accommodate any budget!

EVENTS UNITY 2 When not being used for a performance Unity 2 is perfect for rehearsals, meetings, presentations, workshops, away days and practical sessions. Unity Theatre will provide an event manager for your event. Prices: £100 +VAT (Morning/Afternoon or Evening sessions. Max 3 hours) £250 +VAT (Day Rate)

PERFORMANCES UNITY 1 Capacity 150 (expandable to 182) Unity 1 on the ground floor is a large black box studio space with full sound and lighting facilities. The seating in this theatre is non-retractable.

Price: One performance £500 +VAT

UNITY 2 Capacity 88 (expandable to 100) Unity 2 on the second floor is a smaller black box studio space with retractable seating. Price: One Performance £350 +VAT

For technical support charges please see unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

FIRST FLOOR BAR SPACE Capacity 25 For a more intimate event, our First Floor Bar is the place for you. Play readings, workshops, meetings, presentations, break out space.

Prices: £50 +VAT (Morning/Afternoon. Max 3 hours) £70 +VAT (Evening. Max 3 Hours) Post Show event £50 +VAT.

For more information and for our community group subsidised rate card please contact info@unitytheatre.co.uk or call 0151 709 6502 Photography: Simon Buckley

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

A UNITY THEATRE AND ACTION TRANSPORT THEATRE COPRODUCTION WITH Z-ARTS AND THE BREWERY, KENDAL.

LITTLE RED AND THE BIG BAD WOLF PUBLIC PERFORMANCE: Wed 17 Jan 4pm & 7pm £9.50 Adults £8.50 Kids Family Ticket £30

SCHOOLS PERFORMANCE: Thurs 18 Jan 10am & 1:30pm £6 (Inc VAT)

Unity 1

Returning due to popular demand! A small figure sets off, with red cloak and hood to Grandma’s they go, the other side of the woods Do not stop to smell the flowers, or sing to the birds or climb a tall tree, remember these words... Do not leave the path, for you’d make a tasty treat! For the hungriest wolf of all, who is ready to eat! Join us this Christmas for a bold and highly theatrical re-telling of the well-known classic tale packed with music, dance and song. The production explores the thrill of adventure and unknown versus the safety and familiarity of the path and how irresistible straying can be, as well as the tension between mankind and nature. Are the wolves really the villains in a world where the woodcutter is destroying the forest? And is Grandma the trophy hunter really sick? DS & F EN

P FRI HI

ILY M AM

10% OFF

“Sheer Bliss from beginning to end” Northern Soul

BERS EM

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“A touching Bowie oddity, compelling, sharply observed, impressive conviction & touchingly believable” The Guardian Adrian Berry’s acclaimed sell-out production tells the tale of a young David Bowie obsessive, Martin, a boy with problems - an illness no-one understands and a head full of sound and vision. So when an unexpected gift arrives on his birthday, Martin embarks on a thrilling journey in the footsteps of his obsession, leading him to discover some long-hidden

FROM IBIZA TO THE NORFOLK BROADS

truths about himself. What follows

Fri 19 Jan, 8pm £14.50 (£12.50 Conc) | Unity 1

realism collide in this darkly funny and

will change his life forever... Powerful and touching, music and magic moving tour-de-force solo show featuring Alex Walton and the voice of comedian Rob

Written and directed by Adrian Berry

Newman. With a blistering Bowie soundtrack,

Performed by Alex Walton

the life of the pop fan is dissected in this

The voice of Rob Newman

tale of unnatural teenage wildlife.

Exeter Northcott Theatre in association with the University of Exeter presents

BEYOND MY CONTROL Tue 30 Jan, 8pm | £11.50 Schools Show: Tue 30 Jan, 1pm £6 (inc VAT) | Unity 1

BEYOND MY CONTROL

Join us as mathematicians from the University of Exeter abandon their computers and recreate complex brain networks using theatre improvisation techniques. For one hour we’ll bring together the logical world of mathematics and the unpredictable world of theatre to help us understand what’s really going on inside our heads. Suitable for children 11years+ and their families.

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

G IN L L SE

ST A F

THE LYNCHING

MAN ON THE MOON

Wed 31 Jan, 7pm £10 (£5 Conc) | Unity 2

Thurs 1 Feb, 8pm £12.50 (£10 Conc) | Unity 2

Performed by Jackie Walker

Writer and performer: Keisha Thompson

Performed by Black Jewish, anti-racist

Director: Benji Reid

campaigner Jackie Walker, who was

Keisha communicates with her reclusive

suspended from the Labour Party,

dad through books, letters and symbols.

and vilified with fake accusations

But when the letters stop coming she is

of antisemitism.

forced to venture into his world.

Through song and five characters,

This truth-infused narrative sees the

Jackie tells the extraordinary story of

protagonist follow a trail of breadcrumbs

her activist parents who took part in

that lead her a number of check-points:

the civil rights movement of 1950’s

cultural displacement, religious

America, and her own experience of

confusions, political paranoia,

migration and racism in the UK.

misplaced masculinity and more.

Followed by a discussion organised

CO-COMMISSIONED BY STUN AND CONTACT. SUPPORTED BY ARTS COUNCIL ENGLAND, APPLES & SNAKES AND SLATE.

by Labour Against the Witch-Hunt.

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MATE STUDIO PRESENTS

Be prepared for a roller coaster of emotions

TWO

as you become voyeurs and punters of a typical 1980’s Northern pub in this Jim Cartwright famous two-hander. Actors

Fri 2 – Sat 3 Feb, 8pm £12.50 (£10.50 Conc) | Unity 1

Jake Ryan and Rachael Reason play the

By Jim Cartwright

also embodying 12 other characters

Directed by Gaynor La Rocca “Fast-paced, hilariously funny and savagely sad” St Helens Star

sparring landlord and landlady; whilst who visit the pub over the course of one eventful evening. “A revolving door of weird and wonderful characters” Vicky Anderson, MADE UP

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

ARCH 468, UNITY THEATRE AND THE ALBANY PRESENT

DEAD AND BREATHING Wed 7 – Sat 17 Feb, 8pm £14 - £8.50 | Unity 1 by Chisa Hutchinson Directed by Rebecca Atkinson-Lord Starring Lizan Mitchell (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Good Wife, The Wire) & Kim Tatum aka Mzz Kimberley (EastEnders). Spiteful old Carolyn Whitlock wants to die already. She’s been sick with cancer for almost as long as she can remember and the pain has made her so mean that there’s no one left who loves her. She just wants to give up, but now she’s going to have to work harder than she ever has in her privileged life to convince her very Christian nurse to help her end it. But Veronika isn’t all she seems, and before Carolyn can die in peace, they’ll both need to let go of everything they believe about what is right. Dead and Breathing is an unexpectedly funny tale of morality and mortality that pits the right to die against the right to live on your own terms. It questions the cost of our personal moralities and asks what it would take for us give up the beliefs that make us who we are.

PR EM IE RE

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BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

JOIN OUR FAMILIES & FRIENDS MEMBERSHIP

p ershi Memb t just sa start

£45r!

a yea

P ins mo ay i n n dirtalm thly ec en t d ts b e 01 51 Cal bit! y 70 l 94 98 8

We want to make it easier for you to call Unity Theatre home and with our brand new Families & Friends Membership now it’s easier than ever to visit us more often! • FREE admission to all Saturday Splatterdays workshops* • Discounted tickets for family friendly shows • Dedicated Seasonal E-Newsletter • 10% Discount at the Unity Bar when you show your membership card • Invitations to exclusive events – including cast meet and greets & behind the scenes treats! • Members only children’s party rate

1 CHILD MEMBERSHIP

2 CHILDREN MEMBERSHIP

3 CHILDREN MEMBERSHIP

£45 A YEAR

£90 A YEAR

£135 A YEAR

JOIN TODAY! Call a member of our friendly Ticket Sales team on 0151 709 4988 *Booking for Saturday Splatterdays workshops is essential, places limited. Workshops are split into age ranges 5 – 8 years & 9 – 13 years. Terms and Conditions apply

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ALTERED SCALE THEATRE AND PETITE ULLALOOM PRESENT

HAWK DANCE THEATRE & THE KNOTTED PROJECT PRESENTS

WHEN ANOTHER DRAGON ROARS

THE CHIT CHAT CHALK SHOW

Wed 14 Feb, 11:30am & 2:30pm | £6.50 | Unity 2

Sat 3 Mar, 2pm & 4:30pm All tickets £6.50 | Unity 2

Have you ever stopped to wonder, why a dragon roars so loud?

Join our magical chalky adventure! Kiko is a confused young girl, struggling to understand how she feels about the strange new world she lives in.

To understand exactly what its feeling, When Another Dragon Roars. A storytelling show featuring puppetry and music, about dragons from around the world. Suitable for children aged 5 and up and their families.

P FRI HI

BRING A FRIEND FOR FREE!

It’s sure to put a smile on faces, young and old! Suitable for children aged 3 – 8 years and their families.

DS & F EN

£1 OFF

ILY M AM

£1 OFF

ILY M AM

DS & F EN

With her new friends, she embarks upon a quest to discover the mixture of emotions and colours that make her unique! The story dances, draws and giggles its way through from beginning to end.

P FRI HI

We search for clues and funny tales, from mystic lands and distant shores.

BERS EM

Is it because it’s filled with thunder? Is that why it stands so proud?

TRAVELLED COMPANIONS, SPLATTERDAYS AND UNITY THEATRE PRESENT

EARLY YEARS CREATIVE PLAY Thurs 22 Feb, 1 March, 8 March, 15 March, 22 Mar, 11am | Pay what you decide Unity Bar Travelled Companions invite young children and their families to Unity Theatre for a series of creative and interactive play sessions Combining live music, movement, storytelling and sensory play using different exciting themes each week. Come and enjoy some creative fun with your little ones; move, sing, wriggle and laugh and perhaps even make something to take away. The sessions will last for roughly 40 mins with some time left over for a cuppa in the new bar. Suitable for pre-school children and their grown-ups.

BERS EM

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

BE FESTIVAL AND UNITY THEATRE PRESENT

Best of BE FESTIVAL Fri 23 Feb | 8pm £12.50 (£10.50 Concs) | Unity 1 “Ground-breaking new theatre from across Europe” The Guardian

The Stage

What’s On Stage (Previous Best of BE Reviews) An exciting showcase, sampling the best of European theatre BE FESTIVAL is Birmingham’s international festival of performing arts. Each year, they package up the top three shows from the festival, and send them out to audiences around the UK. This year, the Best of BE will feature three delicious, 30 minute samples of mask, theatre, and circus all in one evening! Spanish company Kulunka Teatro present André and Dorine, an old couple who are forced to find ways to remember what once joined them together after the sudden onset of Alzheimer’s disease - a moving story, beautifully told through full masks. In What Does Stuff Do? Bristol based performer Robin Boon Dale will spend 30 minutes, literally, tripping his way through a part guide, part motivational speech on juggling. Romain Teule’s show, Légende, unpacks the possibilities of language, and plays upon the (mis)interpretation of words, with amusing results.

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ALL THINGS CONSIDERED THEATRE & V-DAY LIVERPOOL PRESENT A BENEFIT PRODUCTION OF EVE ENSLER’S

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES Sat 24 Feb, 8pm £8 (£5 conc) | Unity 1 As part of the global V-DAY Liverpool movement to stop violence against women and girls. Performed by a cast of community members Come and join us for a

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AN ARC STOCKTON PRODUCTION CO-COMMISSIONED BY THE ALBANY, CAMDEN PEOPLE’S THEATRE, NORTHERN STAGE AND UNITY THEATRE

LUCA RUTHERFORD’S POLITICAL PARTY (PREVIEW) Tue 27 Feb | 8pm £10.50 (£8.50 Concs) Unity 2 Directed by Alex Swift

THOSE TWO WEEKS Wed 28 Feb – Sat 3 Mar 8pm £12.50 (£10.50 Concs) Unity 1 Written by Ian Salmon Directed by Mikee Dickinson It’s about listening to Cowboy Junkies and The Reynolds Girls, reading science fiction and arguing over the red/blue divide,

Are you confused,

realising your generation

overwhelmed or feel stupid

didn’t invent this stuff and

about politics? Luca is,

you’re more like your

so she’s throwing a party.

parents than you think.

Proceeds Benefit local

There will be music, dancing

organisations who work

and eggs! No suits. No

It’s about new love and old

to end violence against

know-it-alls. No big words.

poignant and hilarious journey through the forbidden zone!

women. Please note that

love, coming together and falling apart. It’s about

You’re invited to this

trying to make everything

thinking out loud party,

right that you made wrong.

where it’s okay to be wrong,

It’s the end of the eighties

to not know, where you don’t

and everything’s about

“Probably the most

need to hide the questions

to change.

important piece of

you pretend to have the

political theater of

answers to.

It’s only two weeks but

this performance contains some sensitive stories and language.

the last decade…” The New York Times

Join Luca in her attempt to get playful with the

Further information about

seriousness of figuring

V-Day can be found at:

out what’s going on, how

www.vday.org

we got to this point and where do we go from here?

it’s Those Two Weeks.

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Unity Theatre presents

Unity Scratch Tue 6 March, 8pm Pay What You Decide | Unity 1 See brand new work from Liverpool’s thriving performance scene. The very best of the region’s new theatre makers try out their bold & radical ideas on our stage at our seasonal Unity Scratch nights. To perform at a Unity Scratch please contact us at info@unitytheatre.co.uk with ‘Scratch’ as the subject line.

PLACE AND CHIPS Fri 9 & Sat 10 Mar, 6pm (4pm Sat Matinee) £10.50 & £8.50 | Unity 2 Devised and Performed by Alice Bunker-Whitney Directed by Montse Gili. Place and Chips is a hilarious semiautobiographical, highly interactive, personal and riotous piece of theatre. This solo performance is told through, clown, physical comedy, story-telling and animation and explores the complex relationships we have with our bodies.

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OFF THE SHELF PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

SIGN OF THE TIMES Fri 9 - Sat 10 March 8pm £12/ £10 (Conc) | Unity 1

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SMOKE & OAKUM THEATRE, RED LADDER AND NEW DIORAMA PRESENT

CORNERMEN Tue 13 Mar, 8pm

By Tim Firth “Sensational” The Guardian From the author of Calendar Girls, Kinky

“Thrilling to watch” The Scotsman

Boots, Neville’s Island and Our House,

Written by Oli Forsyth

Off The Shelf Theatre Co. present SIGN OF

Mickey and his team of cornermen never

THE TIMES a funny, moving and ingenious

seem to have much luck in the boxing world.

comedy by Tim Firth.

The fighters they manage always end up

A washed up Frank (Iain Hoskins), is

losing and, after a bruising last outing,

a would-be spy novelist and head of

no one wants to work with them. Until, that

installation at Forshaw’s, a commercial

is, they sign a young boxer whose winning

signage company. His reluctant, teenage

ways catapult them into a world of success

trainee Alan (Kurtis Stacey) is more

they’ve never dreamed of.

interested in listening to music and dreaming of great things, rather than

Is Sid Sparks their meal ticket

following Frank’s instructions but then

to fame and fortune?

an emergency prompts them to confront some uncomfortable truths.

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Broadwaybaby.com

The Times

The Scotsman

The Stage

The Guardian

Afridiziak

Time Out London

A UNITY THEATRE AND RIKSTEATERN CO-PRODUCTION

NINA – A STORY ABOUT ME AND NINA SIMONE Sat 17 – Sat 24 Mar, 8pm £16-£25 (£14-£20 Concs) | Unity 1

“Scalding” New York Times

Devised by Dritëro Kasapi & Josette Bushell-Mingo

“A searing tribute restarts Simone’s revolution”

With a brilliant band, Olivier Award-nominated actress

The Guardian

Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE channels both Nina Simone’s musicianship and anger at racism in this provocative and important production, which touches upon the 1960s civil rights movement and draws into parallel the struggles of the civil rights movement of today.

“Josette Bushell-Mingo blows the roof off with this searing look at the life of Nina Simone” Time Out London

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Phrased & Confused and Unity Theatre present

Wed 28 Mar, 8pm | £13.50 (£11.50 conc) | Unity 1

Arts City Liverpool

Wirral Globe

Liverpool Arts Scene

Words by Lizzie Nunnery Music by Martin Heslop, Martin Smith and Vidar Norheim Performed by Lizzie Nunnery, Martin Heslop, Martin Smith and Vidar Norheim Project Advisor Catherine Marcangeli The city is alive. Wandering the streets, The Child, The

Lizzie Nunnery

Martin Heslop

Martin Smith

Vidar Norheim

Poet and Death trace memories and map dreams onto a landscape shifting under the spell of time. Inspired by the incredible work of Liverpool’s world-renowned poet Adrian Henri, Horny Handed Tons of Soil fuses beat poetry with folk song; electronic composition with live brass & percussion and documentary film with theatrical storytelling. ORIGINALLY PRODUCED BY UNITY THEATRE IN RESPONSE TO THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR OF THE MERSEY SOUND, FOLLOWING A PHRASED &CONFUSED, UNITY THEATRE AND LIVERPOOL ACOUSTIC FESTIVAL SEED COMMISSION IN 2016.

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SIREN Fri 13 & Sat 14 April | 8pm £8.50 | Unity 1

VAMOS THEATRE PRESENTS

A BRAVE FACE Tue 17 April | 8pm £14.50 (£12.50 Concs) | Unity 1

Performed by Katy-Anne Bellis Half woman...Half Fish...It’s like nothing, you’ve ever seen before in your lives! A grotesque mermaid-like creature is found washed up on the shores of the seaside and put to work in a travelling side show. Siren is a dark musical comedy inspired by the mythology of the mermaid. Using an ethereal mix of singing, grotesque physical theatre and electronic music. Katy-Anne Bellis performs a blend of storytelling with a witty seaside humour.

His hardest battle is the one back home Award-winning Vamos Theatre brings its trademark, wordless, full mask style to a story that needs to be told. Set in Afghanistan in 2009, A Brave Face explores Post-Traumatic Stress, an unseen injury of war, and the impact it can have on even the closest of families. With engaging storytelling, physical dexterity and emotional insight, A Brave Face engages audiences across borders and boundaries.

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

ARC STOCKTON PRESENTS

MATE PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS

INSTRUCTIONS FOR BORDER CROSSING

TREASURE ISLAND

Wed 18 April | 8pm £12 (£10 Conc) | Unity 1

Fri 20 April | 8pm Sat 21 April | 4pm & 8pm £12 (£10 Conc) Under 16 £8 Unity 1

Written & performed by Daniel Bye Directed by Alex Swift

By Phil Willmott

Unity Theatre favourite Daniel Bye returns

Multi-award winning MATE Productions

with Instructions for Border Crossing -

launch their 2018 tour of Phil Willmott’s

A twelve-year-old girl sneaks across the

spectacular re-imagining of Robert Louis

border into her own country. Her parents

Stephenson’s pirate epic. This year’s

watch her on a computer screen. The works

buccaneering adventure promises to

of a half-forgotten performance artist seem

be another stunning hit and a thrilling

to hold the key to bringing down a brutal

voyage for all the family.

system operating on our behalf and under

Come dressed in your finest pirate regalia,

our noses. Do you join in? Or do you look the other way?

board the Good Ship Hispaniola and join the quest of a lifetime to Treasure Island – X marks the spot!

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SHIFTING SANDS PRESENTS

THE KING LEAR Tue 24 April | 8pm £14.50 (£12.50 Concs) | Unity 1

AN ECLIPSE THEATRE COMPANY AND ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE CO-PRODUCTION

BLACK MEN WALKING Thurs 26 – Sat 28 April | 8pm £14 (£12 Concs) | Unity 1

Shakespeare’s tragedy...set in a pub! “When we are born we cry that we are come To this great stage of fools.” Giving a modern comedic twist to Shakespeare’s popular tragedy, acclaimed clown theatre company Shifting Sands sets

By Testament Directed by Dawn Walton “We walk. Though we are written into the landscape you don’t see us. We walked England before the English.”

the action in a pub in the here and now, with

Thomas, Matthew and Richard walk.

the pub landlord as King. A compellingly

They walk the first Saturday of every month.

inventive retelling mixing slapstick and pathos with warm humour, this is a

Walking and talking. But this walk…

marvellously fun night.

Maybe they should have cancelled, but they

For adults - but suitable for 11 years +

they find themselves forced to walk back-

needed the walk today. Out in the Peaks, wards through two thousand years before they can move forwards. DEDICATED TO THE BLACK MEN’S WALKING GROUP. A REVOLUTION MIX STORY.

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

SHEEP SOUP PRODUCTIONS PRESENT

THE LEFTOVERS Tue 1 May, 8pm £10.50 (£8.50 conc) | Unity 1 The Leftovers brings Sheep Soup’s innovative and comedic brand of contemporary musicals to Unity Theatre for the first time. It’s a heartfelt and

FRANCES DUFFY PRODUCTIONS IN ASSOCIATE WITH GAMBLE STRINGS AND THINGS PRESENTS

BESTBEAT Thur 3 – Sat 5 May, 8pm (Sat Matinee 4pm) £12 (£10 Conc) | Unity 1 Written by Frank Duffy

hilarious look at the pitfalls of artistic

Liverpool. 1962. The Merseybeat scene.

interpretation and the melody of grief,

Clubs like Cavern club, The Iron Door,

with a truly unforgettable original score.

Litherland Town Hall and The Tower

Following the sudden death of Jodie,

Ballroom filled with music and dancing.

occasional gig reviewer and the definition

Pete Best was one of those musicians

of misadventure, some of her friends join

who wanted to play his favourite music

forces in a Nottingham recording studio

as a drummer; first with his own group,

to pen a memorial song for Jodie, but the

the Blackjacks, and then, with a group

makeshift band can’t seem to agree on

called The Beatles...

what their late friend would have wanted

In 1962 Pete thought he was on the verge of

from a musical tribute.

the big time with the group. It didn’t happen for him as Pete’s life changed on one fateful day... But Pete Best had to find a reason to carry on... With original songs, drama, live music and humour, BESTBEAT tells his story...

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A LEG OF LAMB Wed 9 & Thur 10 May, 8pm £10.50 (£8.50 Conc) | Unity 2 Written by Stella Melia Directed by Kevin Foott

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Mrs O’Rourke has made a promise to her late husband Bill that she will re-unite her family after years of conflict. She invites them all to the family home where her children grew up in an attempt to bring back fond memories of the past and fill the home full of happiness and laughter again. However what actually unfolds is sibling rivalry and deep rooted jealousy, missed opportunities and resentment. Don’t miss this tragi-comic play full of heart!

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

KNAIVE THEATRE PRESENTS

BIN LADEN THE ONE MAN SHOW Fri 11 & Sat 12 May, 8pm | £15.50 (£13.50 Conc) | Unity 1 “An unsettling explanation of the process of extreme radicalism, creating a tingling sense - rare in fringe shows – of theatre-goers being led in an uncomfortable direction.” Mark Lawson - The Guardian “Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I am going to show you how to change the world” The world’s most notorious terrorist tells his remarkable, provocative, multi-award-winning story. After a critically acclaimed USA tour and a smash hit Edinburgh Fringe run this incendiary, intelligent show from Royal Exchange Supported Artists, Knaïve Theatre, provides a fresh perspective; creating a space for dialogue within the unthinkable. Bin Laden questions its audience. It sensitively asks them to re-examine their thoughts and feelings on the Bin Laden myth and so look again at the causes and possible solutions to the Middle Eastern conflict. Bin Laden always provokes passionate debate in the bar afterwards.

*Early Bird offer - £13.50 (£11.50 Conc) BOOK BEFORE 31 January 2018*

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RED LADDER AND WEST YORKSHIRE PLAYHOUSE IN ASSOCIATION WITH UNITY THEATRE PRESENTS

By Anders Lustgarten adapted from the novel by David Peace Directed by Rod Dixon Brian Clough’s journey from his beloved Derby County to the team he hated the most. Down the stairs, along the corridor, round the corner, into the dressing room. HIS dressing room. 1974. Brian Clough tries to redeem his career and reputation by winning the European cup with his new team, Leeds United. The team he has openly despised for years, the team he hates and which hates him. Don Revie’s Leeds. Adapted from David Peace’s brilliant and ingenious novel, The Damned United takes you inside the tortured mind of a genius slamming up against his limits, and brings to life the beauty and brutality of football, the working man’s ballet.

THE DAMNED UNITED Tue 22 & Wed 23 May, 8pm £14.50 (£12.50 Conc) | Unity 1

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

GET INVOLVED

Spatterdays is Unity Theatre’s communitybased creative play workshops for children under 13 which take place in our theatre space on various Saturdays during our season. We encourage children who take part in Spatterdays to let their imaginations run wild, make new friends and explore the creative arts.

£5 p er c hild £3 c once fam ssio ilies ns f on a or low inco £9 f or tw me o book c ing t hildren oget £13 her for t book hree ch il ing t oget dren her

Jan 13 & 27, Feb 10 & 24, Mar 10 & 24, Apr 21 and May 5 & 19

Dates this season are:

SPLATTERDAYS PLAYTIME 10am to 12pm Saturday morning at Unity Theatre is for 5 to 8 year olds. The workshops are based around creative play and activities including storytelling, arts and crafts, drama games, quizzes and more!

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SPLATTERDAYS PERFORMING ARTS CLUB 1pm – 3pm Afternoons are performing arts workshops for 9 to 13 year olds. They include drama, art & design, creative writing and storytelling.

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PARTICIPATION

Working alongside professional theatre companies, performers and practitioners, Unity Youth Theatre (UYT) members gain valuable experience in the performing arts, developing a wide variety of skills to create original performances on unity’s stages. It’s open to all young people from the age’s 14-18 years and we are interested in hearing from young people interested in a wide range of theatre arts. We have a waiting list for places but as a member on the list you receive ticket discounts and selected invitations to exclusive events. For general enquiries please contact Louise or Laura: uyt@unitytheatre.co.uk or call 0151 709 6502

Participation is central to everything that we to at Unity Theatre. We create new work with local artists, emerging performers and companies, provide a home for research and development, offer work experience opportunities, host workshops and seminars and provide gallery space for visual artists.

EDUCATION We host over 100 different productions each year and offer a range of activities. We design high quality, bespoke workshop packages in various art forms. Unity provides: • Theatre tours with Q&A sessions with actors and theatre staff • Creative workshops on and off-site • After show discussions • Bespoke creative projects for a range of budgets • Professional development opportunities Unity Theatre is an Arts Award Welcome venue and we work with schools to support their enquiry into Artsmark.

PLACEMENTS Placement opportunities are available at set periods throughout the year. We run specific placements for 16-21 year olds and for those aged 21+. A placement with Unity Theatre will: • Give you the broadest experience possible, adding detail and depth to your CV • Show you the workings of the Unity as a modern theatre venue • Give you access to all Unity Theatre staff, their experience and expertise. For application forms and more information, pop in to see us or visit www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

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Unity Theatre 1 Hope Place, Liverpool L1 9BG

Unity Theatre is part of the vibrant MENT ST LIA PARout more neighbourhood of Hope Street. PFind ER P T U S A ND ENL our neighbours at hopestreet.co.uk about G RE ST

Travelling by Car There is on street pay & display parking around Hope Street. Please note that between 8am & 6pm it is residents only parking on Hope Place.

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Travelling by Train Unity Theatre is a 15 minute walk from either Lime Street or Central station. For train travel information, please visit nationalrail.co.uk.

There are secure car parks on: • • • • •

Renshaw Street (8 min walk) Mount Pleasant (10 min walk) Duke Street (10 min walk) Hanover Street (15 min walk) Lime Street Station (15 min walk)

Travelling by Bus For bus details please visit merseytravel.gov.uk Dial-a-ride Merseylink is Merseytravel's dial-a-ride service for people with impaired mobility. For further information call 0151 709 1929

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THANK YOU CAPITAL REDEVELOPMENT FUNDERS

THE RAVENSDALE TRUST THE REX MAKIN FAMILY

We are a registered charity (1062 463) and gratefully acknowledge the support of our funders, donors and audiences. A private company limited by guarantee - number 3333987.

FOR THEIR ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT

PROJECT TEAM

PROGRAMME FUNDERS

UNITY THEATRE PATRONS

Bill Kenwright CBE

Josette Bushell Mingo OBE

David Morrissey

Andrew Lancel

John Bishop

UNITY THEATRE ANGELS Mr Terence Davis, Mr Joe Farrag, Mrs Frances Flooks, Mrs Carol Frood, Ms Mary Morgans, Mr Nicholas Orr, Mr Martin Powell, Mr and Mrs Stone, Mr Frank Thompson, Ms Vivienne Ruth Tyler, Mr & Mrs Mark White, Ms Sue Williams.

CAPITAL REDEVELOPMENT DONORS Miss Victoria Adlard, Mr Peter Allan, Jennifer Allanson, Mr Robert Anderson, Ms Lily Andrassy, Apollo Colours, Mr Alan Armstrong, Sam Bennett, Steve Bennett, Mr Timothy Bennett, Ms Kate Bickerstaffe, Mr Mark Billing, Ms Christine Billinge, Mr Thomas Billingham, Mrs Stephanie Brada, Miss Susan Branch, Prof John Brennan, Mr Nick Broadhead, Mr Jim Brown, Mr Carl Buckley, Mrs Barbara Burton, Mr Oliver Bush, Mrs Helen Capstick, Mrs Frances Carleton, Mr Chris Carney, Miss Lisa Chae, Rhys Chamberlain, Miss Leila Chebbi, Miss Grace Cherry, Ms Lisa Cooper, Mrs Virginia Corker, Mr Pete Coulson, Mr James Culshaw, Josephine Dalton, Dr John Davies, Miss Jennifer De Ornellas, Mr Brain Dhenin, Mr Paul Doran, Mr Malcolm Dorr, Miss Lynne Dwyer, Mr Richard Edwards, Mr Michael Egerton, Mr Matthew Elliott, Mr & Mrs Farrag , Mrs Lorraine Fay, Mr Mark Featherstone-Witty, Mr Edward Feery, Mrs Ann Ferguson, Miss Colette Fitzgerald, Ms Michelle French, Mr & Mrs Frood, Mr Ralf Ganza, Paul Goetzee, Mr Peter Gowan, Ms Val Hall, Ms Catherine Hannah, Mr Victor Hansen, Gina Harris, Mrs Joyce Harwood, Mr Edmund Haygarth, Mr Alan Henry, Mr Daniel Hermon, Mr Ian Hill, Ms Margaret Hirons, Mr John Hogarth, Mr Matthew Horner, Gillian Horton, Mr Michael Howard, Judy Hughes, Sandi Hughes, Mr & Mrs Jackson, Mrs Linda Jones, Mr Joe Kelly, Mr Alex Lambert, Ms Dee Lanski, Mr David Large, Mr Patrick Maguire, Mrs Ginni Manning, Mrs Paula Mason-Barney, Ms Sian McArthur, Mr Peter McCann, Miss Alison Mcconnell, Ms Jane McGuffog, Mr Terence Molloy, Prof Malcolm Molyneux, Miss Tabitha Morton, Mr RJ Murray, Ms Susan Murray, Miss Laura Owen, Ms Sheila Partington, Mrs Margaret Pegg, Mrs Barbara Penney, Mr Jeff Poole, Mrs Stephanie Preston, Mr James Price, Mr Gerry Proctor, Nicola Pugh, Mrs Annette Quirke, Miss Sharren Redmond, Mr Luke Reeve, Mrs Margaret Richards, Mrs Johanna Roberts, Ms Rachel Rogers, Miss Moya Rosemore, Mr Phil Rowley, Dr Katherine Rugen, Mr Michael Ryan, Simeon Scheuber, Mr Lee Shannon, Mr Kevin Sharp, Mr Bill Sharpe, John Smith, Guy Snaith, Ms Claire Stevens, Mrs Valerie Strauss, Ms M Sullivan, Ray Swaith, Miss Evelyn Swinburne, Ms Jolanta Tanianis, Bettina Taylor, Miss Michelle Tilley, Mr Liam Tobin, Ms Siobhan Twomey, Viv Tyler, Mr George Vicars, Patricia Walker, Mr Stephen Walkinshaw, Mr Peter Wallace, Mr Craig Ward, Mrs Janet Ward, Miss Clare Warner, Miss Jennifer Williams, Stephen Williams, Ms Esther Wilson, Mr Sam Wong, Ms Sally Woodward. Thanks also to all anonymous & point of sale donors. A very special thank you to our Unity Theatre volunteers.

DIARY

1: Unity 1 2: Unity 2 B: Both spaces W: Please see website

DATE EVENT

JANUARY 17 18 19 30 31

Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf (Schools) From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads Beyond My Control The Lynching

FEBRUARY

1 Man on the Moon 2-3 Two 7 – 17 Dead and Breathing 14 When Another Dragon Roars 20 Howie Payne – plus support 23 The best of BE Festival 24 The Vagina Monologues 27 Luca Rutherfords’ Political Party 28 Those Two Weeks

MARCH 1-3 3 6 9 - 10 8 – 10 13 17 – 24 28

Those Two Weeks Chit Chat Chalk Show Scratch Night Place and Chips Sign of the Times Cornermen Nina – a story about me and Nina Simone Horny Handed Tons of Soil

APRIL

13 Siren 17 A Brave Face 18 Instructions for Border Crossing 20 – 21 Treasure Island 24 The King Lear 26 – 28 Black Men Walking

MAY

1 3 – 5 9 - 10 11 – 12 18 22 – 23

The Leftovers BestBeat A Leg of Lamb Bin Laden the one man show LightNight The Damned United

TIME

VENUE

4pm & 7pm (BSL) 10am & 1.30pm 8pm 1pm & 8pm 7pm

1 1 1 1 2

8pm 8pm 8pm 11.30am & 2.30pm 7:30pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm

2 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1

8pm 2pm & 4.30pm 8pm 6pm (4pm Thu Mat) 8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm

1 2 1 2 1 2 1 1

8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm (4pm Sat Mat) 8pm 8pm

1 1 1 1 1 1

8pm 8pm 8pm 8pm 6pm 8pm

1 1 2 1 W 1

SPLATTERDAYS IN THE SPRING Jan 13 & 27, Feb 10 & 24, Mar 10 & 24, Apr 21 and May 5 & 19

BOOK NOW: 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk