Unity Theatre Summer brochure 2017 by Unity Theatre

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

JUNE-JULY 2017

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

TECHNICAL BOX

D C

B C

STAGE L

STAGE N

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 unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk Call a member of our friendly Ticket Sales team 0151 709 4988 Visit us in person – our city centre Ticket Office is open Mon – Sat 12pm - 6pm. On performance days the Ticket office is open until the start of the performance. Tickets Sales Office address 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG Box office is now open from 12midday Fees - We charge 50p per transaction for card payments.

*Please note that until 2 June 2017 Unity Theatre Ticket office will be located at LIPA, Mount Street, Liverpool, L1 9HF. Opening times: Mon - Fri 10am – 3pm* 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. The boring bit: Ticket sales are subject to Unity Theatre’s current Terms and Conditions which may be viewed at unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/t&c

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

A little later than we expected we’re back in June with a packed summer season which will be as fresh as the paint on the walls! Three new works – Katie Mulgrew’s Hope prize winning play Omnibus, Liverpool Writer Lizzie Nunnery’s Horny Handed Tons of Soil, and Anders Lustgarten’s adaption of The Dammed United sit alongside programmes for and with no fewer than five of the city’s best and brightest festivals. But before then we’ve extended our Out of Space season, working with the brilliant Tmesis Theatre to bring another exhilarating programme of Physical Theatre to Liverpool. As #BuildUnityBetter completes its final stages Physical Fest will relocate to the Arts Centre at City of Liverpool College with thrilling performance including Kallo Collective’s Only Bones, Chaliwate’s Jetlag and exceptional clown Jamie Wood returns to Liverpool with I am a Tree. Liverpool’s own Duncan Cameron and Katy-Anne Bellis will perform in the ever popular Physical Theatre event Fest Live. Tmesis Training Company performance Daydream Believers is relocated to the Hope Street Theatre (opposite the Everyman). Looking further ahead we’re really excited to announce our Christmas show for 2017 is a new adaptation of The Jungle Book, once again created with our friends at Action Transport Theatre (see p24). Meanwhile our show from last year Little Red and the Big Bad Wolf will be touring to Manchester’s Z Arts and The Brewery in Kendal this Christmas too. We also look forward to welcoming back Saturday Splatterdays on 10 June and Unity Youth Theatre from the 5th of June. Look out too for exceptional performance from Liverpool Arab Arts Festival, Liverpool Pride, Liverpool Fringe Festival as well as our smash hit from Autumn 2016 Nina – a story about me and Nina Simone which has sold out at the Young Vic (London) this July, with more exciting news to come... (see p21). I look forward to seeing you out and about and at Unity Theatre this summer.

ACCESS Unity Theatre has 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 theatre and loops in the box 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

WELCOME

TAKE YOUR SEATS

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

Yours, Matthew Linley Artistic Director & CEO

BUILD UNITY BETTER

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

FUNDRAISING Build Unity Better has been a massive fundraising success for Unity theatre. We received funds from PH Holt Foundation and Garfield Western Foundation who committed £10,000 and £50,000 respectively, with social enterprise First Ark Group also adding to the project funding. The funding followed an initial £435,000 investment from Arts Council England, £120,000 from Liverpool City Council, £30,000 from the Granada Foundation and £2000 from the Ravensdale Foundation as well as over £20,000 in individual donations from Unity Theatre supporters. Unity also contributed from its own funds. That’s not quite the end of our fundraising story… Over the past 18 months the whole Unity Theatre team has worked together to re-image our spaces, making them fit for purpose, for the next stage of our journey. We called this project Build Unity Better. We started with the idea of putting in a front door to the theatre. We also wanted to open out our bar & foyer areas to make them more versatile. We want to do more. More shows. More audiences. More opportunities for artists and theatre companies. With this in mind, we decided to improve the sound-proofing between Unity 1 and Unity 2 so that we can use both spaces at the same time. New opportunities include improved wifi and a space for you to sit and work, or read & socialise. At Unity Theatre you’ll always receive a friendly smile with tea and coffee served during opening hours.

We come into our own when our entire building is busy, come and make Unity Theatre your place to dream. Our new bar space opens up a whole host of possibilities – for events, private functions, meetings, mini performances, workshops and meet ups. If you’ve an idea for how you’d like to use the space then do get in touch – we have very competitive rates! Unity theatre is a place where people discover new theatre. The project team, K2 architects and Vivark have delivered a redevelopment which is perfect for our future ambitions and we hope that you will plan to join us on our future journeys.

We still have £50,000 to raise in order to do everything that we have planned, including fitting digital signage, updating office and stage equipment and putting the finishing touches to our bar and foyer spaces. Please visit our Kickstarter campaign to view some exciting rewards www.kickstarter.com/projects/932922069/ build-unity-better or visit www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/donate to view our donation options. You can help us achieve our fundraising target.

#BuildUnityBetter

Photography: Simon Buckley

PHYSICAL FEST 2017

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

Kallo Collective (Finland)

ONLY BONES

T ES W RE H IE RT E M NO PR

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Fri 26 May, 8pm | £12 (£10 conc)

26th May – 3rd June www.physicalfest.com #PhysicalFest17

VENUE: The Arts Centre – City of Liverpool College, Myrtle St, Liverpool L7 7JA “...extraordinary inventiveness created by a limitless imagination…” Theatreview

Physical Fest is on the move! Due to Build Unity Better, Physical Fest is moving just around the corner for 2017 to The Arts Centre, City of Liverpool College and the Hope Street Theatre. Arrive early, enjoy a bite to eat and enjoy tunes from Physical Fest’s resident DJ.

Only Bones is an award winning clown show using one light, one off the wall character, one performer and no text. This show has to be seen to be believed!

Join us in and around Hope Street where Physical Theatre will animate the city for another exhilarating year!

PHYSICAL FEST VENUES: Main Programme The Arts Centre – City of Liverpool College Myrtle St, Liverpool L7 7JA Tmesis Trainee Company – Daydream Believers The Hope Street Theatre, 22 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BY.

TICKETS Online: unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk Phone: 0151 709 4988 (Mon – Fri, 10am – 3pm) In person: LIPA (Mon – Fri, 10am – 3pm) On the night of the performance, tickets available at the Main Programme venue - The Arts Centre – from 5pm. Daydream Believers – Pre-book or on the night of the performance, pay on the door (subject to availability) See more Physical Theatre in 2017! Book 3 performances for just £30.

ITALI

AN ST

REET will b FOOD e ser authe ving d ntic I elicio t a lian S us every treet night food , outs Centr ide T he Ar e, Cit ts y of L iverp Colle ool ge fro m 6p m Fritto

BOOK OWS 3 SH £30 FOR

PHYSICAL FEST 2017

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk Chaliwate (Belgium)

JETLAG Sat 27 May, 8pm £14 (£12 conc) VENUE: The Arts Centre – City of Liverpool College Myrtle St, Liverpool L7 7JA In between airports, from a crowded transit zone to a confined airplane cabin, a man is trying to keep his loneliness at bay… Jetlag is a physically impressive, poetic and beautiful spectacle from Belgium’s premiere physical theatre company.

Tmesis Theatre Training Company

DAYDREAM BELIEVERS Fri 26, Sat 27, Tue 30 May & Fri 2 - Sat 3 June 6pm and 7pm. Thur 1 June, 6:30pm £3 VENUE: The Hope Street Theatre, 22 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BY Daydream Believers is an immersive psychedelic experience inspired by the 1967 ‘Summer of Love’.

BOOK OWS 3 SH £30 FOR

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

DOUBLE BILL Tue 30 May, 8pm | £12 (£10 conc) VENUE: The Arts Centre – City of Liverpool College Myrtle St, Liverpool L7 7JA

STUFF by Sean Kempton (UK) STUFF is a love story but not one you’ve seen a million times before, this is another kind of love story, maybe everybody’s love story. Playful, funny, sad and familiar, lead clown for Cirque du Soleil, Sean Kempton, mixes comedy, mime, clowning and the odd bit of dance in this absurdist show. ‘Adults, teenagers, children... it is a show that everyone will enjoy!’ The Stage

DYING ON MY FEET (WORK IN PROGRESS) by Jo Tremarco (UK) Dying on My Feet (Work in Progress) - Imagine you have 2 bodies. One you move in every day and one you move in when you dream. Where does the dream body go after death? Jo Tremarco returns to Physical Fest, after being awarded last year’s bursary, to take a closer look at ‘death’, the elephant in the ‘living’ room.

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

PHYSICAL FEST 2017

/unitytheatre /unitytheatre

I AM A TREE By Jamie Wood (UK) Edinburgh Preview Sat 3 June, 8pm £14 (£12 conc) ) VENUE: The Arts Centre – City of Liverpool College Myrtle St, Liverpool L7 7JA When I am still for any length of time, someone finds me and tells me about their life. Slow man tree.

FEST LIVE Thu 1 June, 7.30pm £12 (£10 conc) VENUE: The Arts Centre – City of Liverpool College Myrtle St, Liverpool L7 7JA Fest Live is a selection of extracts of new work from exceptional local, national and international artists. This year’s event includes remarkable performance from Duncan Cameron, Lauren Silver, Katy-Anne Bellis, Izumi Ashizawa and Unity Youth Theatre.

HAPPY HOUR By Tmesis Theatre (UK) | A Unity Theatre Commission Fri 2 June, 8pm £14 (£12 conc) ) VENUE: The Arts Centre – City of Liverpool College Myrtle St, Liverpool L7 7JA The workers on Level 3 are racing against the clock to reach their quota of Smiley Faces, but are they really happy enough? A poignant, fast paced, comedy exploring our 21st century obsession with happiness and success.

My Grandad taught me how to listen, and one other valuable lesson. But I can’t remember what the second lesson was. There’s a blank. So this year I walked back to where he was born to try to find out…

“Like being sucked down a rabbit hole of joy” Exeunt (For O No!)

“Expertly choreographed…. Laugh out loud comedy” The Stage

Physical Fest brings an exciting programme of physical theatre in Liverpool featuring a range of local, national and international artists. With performances, workshops, street theatre and industry day, Physical Fest is the only festival in Europe specialising solely in physical theatre. For more information about workshops, industry events and performances at the Invisible Wind Factory see tmesistheatre.com

BOOK OWS 3 SH £30 FOR

@unity_theatre @unity_theatre

11 11

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

Royal Court Liverpool in association with Unity Theatre presents

OMNIBUS Written by Katie Mulgrew Directed by Robert Farquhar Wed 7- Sat 17 June, 8pm (3pm Sat Matinees) £16 - £10 | Unity 1 It’s a typical Sunday afternoon in a shared house. One in the kitchen getting the roast on, two on the sofa watching the omnibus and one on the floor having a few wines. The biggest decision that needs to be made is when to put the roasties in. Except that the one who is cooking can’t cook. And the one drinking the wine shouldn’t really drink. And the ones watching the telly were definitely not expecting the drama to come to life. Join Mark, Lauren, Nell and sexily stupid Jess in a fast moving comedy about modern life, relationships and prize nutcases with guns. Directed by Robert Farquhar (Big Wow) and starring Gemma Banks (Rose Of June), Eithne Browne (Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels), Alice Bunker-Whitney (Voyages Of Sinbad The Sailor), Danny Burns (Brick Up 2), Eva McKenna (Be My Baby) and Joel Parry (Broken). The World Premiere of the winner of the prestigious Hope Playwriting Prize, this bumper edition will have you laughing all week long.

Liverpool Presents

GOOD MORNING GOOD MORNING Pub Quiz by Coney HQ (8:15am), Lonely Hearts Club (10am) and Sour Cherries (12pm) Fri 9 June 8:15am Ye Cracke Pub, 10am & 12pm Lipa Bar & Cafe. Each event: £3

STANDARD: ELITE

Book for all 3 performances: £7.50

Sat 17 June, £5 Unity 2, 6pm

Attention early risers! We’re jumping out of bed on the morning after the snap general election as part of the City wide Sgt Pepper at 50 celebrations.

There are two types of ticket: Everyone gets a standard ticket. You must earn an elite ticket.

Join us at 8:15am for a Pub Quiz with a difference by Coney HQ, in the traditional surroundings of Ye Cracke. At 10am be the first to experience part of the rehearsed reading of Liverpool writer Luke Barnes’ new play Lonely Hearts Club, directed by Tony Lidington, in association with LIPA. 12pm sees another rehearsed reading: a family run café fights the rising tides of change in Sour Cherries, Stuart Crowther’s adaptation of the Chekhov classic The Cherry Orchard.

Standard:Elite is an anarchic mix of live gaming and interactive storytelling that explores class and social mobility in playful, accessible ways. Winner of the WriteForTheStage Award in 2016

CARTOONOPOLIS Written by Lewis Bray Tue 20 & Wed 21 June, 8pm £12 (£10 conc) | Unity 1 A story of two brothers, 1 family, goodies, baddies and autism. Follow Jack Bray - a young man with severe autism through the imaginary world he creates in his back garden. Based on his TRUE story, come with Jack’s brother, Lewis & fight inner demons, famous cartoon characters & a whole heap of baddies to stop ‘Mayor Sharp’ from taking over Cartoonopolis and killing creativity once and for all… Lewis Bray is an emerging actor and writer. This is his first play performed by himself to outstanding reviews as part of Liverpool Everyman Playhouse Ignition Project and now touring. #cartoonopolis

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

/unitytheatre

Altered Scale Theatre and Petite Ullaloom presents

ANOTHER STORY FROM ANOTHER PLACE Eddie Fortune Productions Presents

Marauders Theatre Company

FOUR PLAY

MERCURY FUR

by Jake Brunger

By Philip Ridley

Thu 22 & Fri 23 June, 8pm £12 (£10 conc) | Unity 1

Sat 24 June, 8pm £10 (£8 conc) | Unity 1

Fourplay is a new comedy drama about sex and commitment in the twenty first century.

In a city ravaged by riots and scattered with hallucinogenic butterflies, brothers Elliott and Darren survive by organising “parties” where their clients’ wildest fantasies are realised. But as they prepare a derelict flat for their next event, it becomes clear that the success of this particular party is crucial to their continued safety.

Rafe and Pete have hit a rut. After seven and a half blissfully happy years, their lack of sexual experience is driving them apart. When they proposition mutual friend Michael to help out with their problems - what seems like a simple solution quickly spirals out of control.

What We Did Next Presents

PIPPIN Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz Based on the book by Roger O’Hirson Wed 28 June – Sat 1 July, 8pm, £14 (£12 conc) Unity 1 The remarkable What We Did Next return to the Unity stage with Stephen Schwartz’s (Wicked) imaginative and darkly humorous comingof-age musical - Pippin. Book by ROGER O. HIRSON Music and lyrics by STEPHEN SCHWARTZ Originally produced on the Broadway stage by Stuart Ostrow Directed on the Broadway stage by Bob Fosse This amateur production is presented by arrangement with JOSEF WEINBERGER LIMITED on behalf of MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL of NEW YORK.

Fri 30 Jun - Sat 1 July Fri 4:30pm | Sat 1pm £5 | Unity 2 Gather around the camp fire And warm up your hands As we tell you tales From far and distant lands… Join our story-collecting explorers as they bring together beautiful and exciting stories from around the world. An interactive storytelling experience for children aged 5 and above and their families, featuring stories, songs and adventure from Bangladesh, Poland, and other cultures. Supported by Unity Theatre

@unity_theatre

Unity Theatre presents

SCRATCH NIGHT Tue 4 July, 8pm Pay what you want | Unity 1 We champion new work at Unity Theatre and our seasonal Scratch Nights give you the chance to see bold new performance at its very ignition. Watch as artists test their theories, develop new methods of working and generally play around with radical new ideas! Want to perform at Scratch? As this summer’s Scratch falls on Independence Day we’re particularly keen to hear from artists exploring what independence means in today’s rapidly changing political landscape. Email info@unitytheatre.co.uk for more information.

An OLC Productions happening

MOMENTOS Written by Francisco Carrasco Thur 6 - Fri 7 July , 8pm £10 (£8 Concessions) | Unity 1 Artists include: Curtis Watt, Max P. Alder, Tristan BradyJacobs, Felix Brassier, Valeria Cazas, Oscar J Carrasco & Francisco Carrasco. Decades after the overthrow of the first elected Socialist President in Chile, MOMENTOS follows the stories of three Chilean refugees exiled by a military regime that ruled with an iron fist for 17 years. This is a powerful representation of a deeply moving story that takes you on a journey of struggle, hope, fear and determination, highlighting critical moments that changed a nation. Written by Francisco Carrasco; this new theatre piece incorporates theatre, storytelling, live music, movement and multi-media as well as songs from the Chilean popular song movement of the time.

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2017

A Unity Theatre and Phrased & Confused Co-Commission.

HORNY HANDED TONS OF SOIL

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2017 in association with Unity Theatre presents a Dervish production

Words by Lizzie Nunnery

THE CROWS PLUCKED YOUR SINEWS

Music by Martin Heslop, Martin Smith and Vidar Norheim Film by Tim Brunsden Design by Laura Lomax Thurs 13 - Sat 15 July £14/£12 (£12/£10 Conc) | Unity 1 The city’s alive. Wandering the streets, The Child, The Poet and Death trace memories and map dreams onto a landscape shifting under the spell of time. Inspired by Adrian Henri, fusing beat poetry with folk song; electronic composition with brass and percussion; documentary film with theatrical storytelling: the writer and composers of Narvik explore the magic and reality of the city. Like this? Book for other Hope Street events The Story Giant (8 – 22 June) at the Everyman & Summer with Monika – Roger McGough and Ensemble 10/10 (27 & 28 June & 16 July) at the Royal Philharmonic Hall.

Written & Directed by Hassan Mahamdallie Tue 11 July, 8pm £12 (£10 conc) | Unity 2 May 2011: A young Somali woman sits in the dark of a Woolwich council house watching the assassination of Osama Bin Laden unfold on TV. Upstairs her ailing grandmother is talking to ghosts. August 1913: The British are at war…in the Horn of Africa. In the interior of British Somaliland the hunt for the ‘Mad Mullah’ is on. A woman dervish warrior searches the body of a British Tommy. In the morning the killing will begin. ‘Say, the dervish are like the advancing thunderbolts of a storm, rumbling and roaring’. Soon these two worlds will collide and change everyones’ lives. “Hassan Mahamdallie has written a fine, important play about the way Britain’s foreign adventures are shaping one young London woman’s identity” British Theatre Guide

Liverpool Arab Arts Festival 2017 in partnership with Shubbak Festival and Unity Theatre present a Developing Artists Production

AND HERE I AM Written by Hassan Abdulrazzak Wed 12 July, 8pm £12 (£10 conc) | Unity 2 A bitter sweet, dark political comedy based on one man’s true story and his odyssey in search for identity. Based on Ahmed Tobasi’s personal coming of age story, AND HERE I AM is an epic voyage of identity and self-discovery. Combining fact and fantasy, tragedy and comedy, spanning both the first Palestinian intifada and the second, we follow the protagonist through his transformation from armed resistance fighter to artist, his journey as a refugee in the West Bank to Norway and then back again. In a series of tragicomic episodes vividly brought to life by award winning writer Hassan Abdulrazzak we journey through this personal and political tale of occupation and resistance, fear and heroism, a life of self-pursuit and loyalty. Transporting us to the heart of the hardships, struggles and contradictions of a young Palestinian man growing up under occupation and his pursuit for the true meaning of freedom.

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Naughty Corner Productions

CHURCH BLITZ

BRITISH IDLES

by Mike Dickinson

by Callum Forbes

Tue 18, Wed 19, Thu 20, Sat 22 Jul, 7:30pm £12 (£10 conc) | Unity 1

Fri 21 July, 7:30pm £12 (£10 conc) | Unity 1

Sat 22 July, 3pm £12 (£10 conc) | Unity 1

Church Blitz in this brand new dark comedy, seven strangers take cover in a nearby church because of strange lights flashing in the sky. A game of trust and deceit ensues as the paranoia grows about what exactly is surrounding the church. Stories begin to change and people don’t seem to be who they’re claiming to be.

Dropping in on the lives of newly graduated working class kids this topical new play light-heartedly and satirically examines social division in our communities. What does a degree get you? A career? Not for this lot it doesn’t. Riddled with debt and burdened with a useless degree our heroes go back to everyday jobs and binge culture while watching their country fall apart around them.

Outrageous crime-comedy Not the Horse returns! Follow Tony, a 20 year old scouser, who finds himself in trouble after losing an illegal horse racing bet with a group of gangsters. Tony and his friends must come up with £250,000 in four days, or else. After a whirlwind of ideas, robbery, horse tranquilizers and a lot of horse semen Not the Horse is sure to leave audiences laughing out loud and questioning their own sanity.

Church Blitz - Naughty Corner’s brand new dark comedy – promises to be their most surreal outing yet.

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre 19 0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Red Ladder and West Yorkshire Playhouse in association with Unity Theatre presents

NOT THE HORSE

“Something from the strangest depths of the imagination, leaving you laughing and seriously questioning your sanity...” Broadway Baby

/19 /

THE DAMNED UNITED By Anders Lustgarten adapted from the novel by David Peace Tues 25 July, 8pm £12 (£10 Conc) | Unity 1 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. Directed by Rod Dixon

See any Nau ghty two Cor ner sho ws f or just £18

‘‘I’m so proud that this version of The Damned United is part of the re-opening season at our beloved Unity’ Andrew Lancel Unity Patron

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Unity Youth Theatre Presents

GYPSY QUEEN

BORNED

By Rob Ward

Performed by Unity Youth Theatre

Part of Liverpool Pride

Written by Unity Youth Theatre & Esther Wilson

Fri 28 & Sat 29 July, 8:30pm £14 (£12 conc) | Unity 1

Directed by Carl Cockram & Laura Campbell

Can two men raised to fight ever learn to love?

Thurs 27 – Sat 29 July, 7pm £10 | £8 concessions (Children £5) Unity 2

The story of ‘Gorgeous ‘George O’Connell, bare-knuckle fighter and traveller, who enters the world of professional boxing which puts him on a collision course with his roots, his identity and his greatest fear.

Struggling to choose the right words can stop a conversation before it starts. UYT look at gender, language and finding common ground.

JOIN OUR YOUTH THEATRE Please contact Louise or Laura: uyt@unitytheatre.co.uk or call 0151 709 6502

In the opposite corner, gay boxer Dane ‘The Pain’ Samson, the young pretender and son of a boxing legend, is fighting his own battles that lead to a tragedy that neither could predict. ‘Gypsy Queen’ is an unconventional love story between two fighters who discover the greatest challenge lies outside the ring.

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

Unity Theatre and Riksteatern in association with Young Vic present…

NINA – A STORY ABOUT ME AND NINA SIMONE London Premiere – Young Vic Theatre, 19 – 29 July All Shows SOLD OUT Call Young Vic for returns 020 7922 2922 Scottish Premiere - Edinburgh 2017 Tickets on sale 7 June See unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk for more information Backed by a brilliant band, Olivier Award-nominated actress Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE (Disney’s The Lion King) mixes story and song as she draws together tales from the life of Nina Simone and her own extraordinary career. Touching upon the 1960’s Civil Rights movement the production draws into parallel the struggles of the civil rights movement today. Concept: Josette Bushell-Mingo | Devised by Josette Bushell-Mingo and Dritëro Kasapi | Directed by Dritëro Kasapi | Dramaturgy Christina Anderson | Design/costume by Rosa Maggiora | Musical Director: Shapor Bastansiar | Lit by Matthew Haskins.

“A searing tribute restarts Simone’s revolution” The Guardian

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

ET INVOLVE

PARTICIPATION Participation is central to everything that we do 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.

Spatterdays is Unity’s community-based 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. Dates this season are:

10 & 24 June, 8 & 22 July

SPLATTERDAYS PLAYTIME 10am to 12:00pm 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!

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. Prices: £5 per child £3 concessions for families on a low income £9 for two children booking together £13 for three children booking together

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

THE EXPRESSIVE BODY - PHYSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOP WITH TMESIS THEATRE Monday 24 July , 6-8pm £10 Suitable for all levels, this workshop will focus on ways you can use the body expressively to create characters, devise physical sequences and work as an ensemble to explore ideas. It will be a playful and energetic workshop with a focus on improvisation and being in the moment.

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

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.

PLACEMENT & MENTORING PROGRAMME We offer placement opportunities at set periods throughout the year. Each placement will run for a maximum of 5 days, in connection with a specifically selected production at Unity Theatre, at flexible times including day time and evening hours. 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 Theatre as a modern theatre venue. • Give you access to all Unity Theatre staff, their experience and expertise. The placement will provide a broad view across all of our departments. The next 16 – 21 placement will take place on Mon 10th – Fri 14th July 2017. The deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 9th June 2017 For further information and application process contact Annemarie 0151 709 6502 or annemariemartin@unitytheatre.co.uk

L PA

CHURCHILL WAY

LONDO

L EC

G ES

M ST

PILGRI

E ST

MAN

HOPE

P L AC

R PA K LA

P WAP

UPP

ER D UK

E ST

T LS

ET AM

.J ST ES

D UN

GRE AT GEORGE ST

HOPE ST

IN G ST

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

E ST

ES PL

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.

M JA

M EN T

This Christmas time our fun festive treat for ages 5+ will be an imaginative, all new re-telling of Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale The Jungle Book. Filled with music, dance and song make sure that you join us for a whole host of jungle fun. Don’t forget to practice your ROAR!

HARD

Y ST

RY S T

OP STANH

Early Bird Schools Offer: All Seats £6 (Book before 31 Aug)

RO SCO

RODNE

RS T

A PARL I

Prices from £9 | Unity 1

TP L

B ER

ST R

AT E SL

PA R

HILL

BROWNLOW

LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE

ACE

AG H

B A SN

ETT

PARADISE ST

PL ING

N EL

E ST

WAY

OL LN

HOP

CAN

EGE

T WS HA

STEERS

COLL

Unity Theatre and Action Transport Theatre present

Fri 1 Dec – Sat 6 Jan (Schools Shows: Mon 4 – Fri 22 Dec)

N RD

ND THOMAS

SCH O

R PA

Unity Theatre 1 Hope Place, Liverpool L1 9BG

THE JUNGLE BOOK

T HN S H JO

D VAR

Museum of Liverpool

RCH

SO U T

RE D

E PA RK SS VA

CHU

ULE

LORD ST

MATHEW ST

ISL

ME JA

ICK

ST. G EOR

NSW BRU

TE WA

CT VI

I OR

L DA

L IM E

AR N

TI FI

ADA

CAN

C UR

TO ES PR

AY QU

COMING CHRISTMAS 2017.....

WHERE TO FIND US

NEW

I UN

@unity_theatre AY

/unitytheatre LL

/R O O K /

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

HUNTER ST

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:

On S a 24 M le ay 10a m

• • • • •

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

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

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!

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

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.

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

THANK YOU FOR THEIR ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT

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 333987.

CAPITAL REDEVELOPMENT FUNDERS

PROJECT TEAM

PROGRAMME FUNDERS THE RAVENSDALE TRUST THE REX MAKIN FAMILY

UNITY THEATRE PATRONS

Prices: £100 +VAT (Morning/Afternoon or Evening sessions. Max 3 hours) £250 +VAT (Day Rate) For technical support charges please see unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Bill Kenwright CBE

Josette Bushell Mingo OBE

David Morrissey

Andrew Lancel

John Bishop

UNITY THEATRE ANGELS 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

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.

/unitytheatre

@unity_theatre

0151 709 4988 | unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

DIARY

MAY - JULY 2017

DATE EVENT

JUNE

7 – 17 9 9 9 10 17 20 – 21 22 – 23 24 24 28 – 1 JULY 30 – 1 JULY

JULY

4 6 – 7 8 11 12 13 – 15 18 – 20 & 22 21 22 22 24 25 27 - 29 28 & 29

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

TIME

VENUE

OMNIBUS PUB QUIZ LONELY HEARTS CLUB SOUR CHERRIES SATURDAY SPLATTERDAYS STANDARD: ELITE CARTOONOPOLIS FOUR PLAY SATURDAY SPLATTERDAYS MERCURY FUR WWDN – PIPPIN ANOTHER STORY FROM ANOTHER PLACE

8PM/3PM SAT MAT 8.15AM 10AM 12.00PM 10AM & 1PM 6PM 8PM 8PM 10AM & 1PM 8PM 8PM 4:30PM/1PM

1 YE CRACK LIPA LIPA 2 2 1 1 2 1 1 2

SCRATCH NIGHT MOMENTOS SATURDAY SPLATTERDAYS LAAF – THE CROWS PLUCKED YOUR SINEWS LAAF - AND HERE I AM HORNY HANDED TONS OF SOIL NOT THE HORSE CHURCH BLITZ SATURDAY SPLATTERDAYS BRITISH IDLES WORKSHOP: THE EXPRESSIVE BODY THE DAMNED UNITED BORNED GYPSY QUEEN

8PM 8PM 10AM & 1PM 8PM 8PM 8PM 7:30PM 7:30PM 10AM & 1PM 3PM 6PM 8PM 7PM 8:30PM

1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 1 2 1

For the Main performance programme at Physical Fest (26 May – 3 June) please see unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk