Unity Theatre - Spring 2016

fresh vibrant original theatre unity.

January - May 2016 unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

our highlights.

The Broke ‘N’

Beat Collective THE POSSIBLE IMPOSSIBLE HOUSE

The Hogwallops

Liverpool’s 20 Stories High and Theatre-Rites bring a MARKETING INFORMATION PACK

new show mixing hip-hop and puppetry See page 10

Comic clowning, trapeze and aerial stunts combine in this spectacular family show at The Black-E See page 5

Bardolph’s Box

Forced Entertainment

Meet some of Shakespeare’s characters in this new show for ages 8 - 12 by Unity Theatre and Up The Road Theatre.

See page 6

Going Viral

The legendary theatre company comes to Liverpool with their 1st show for families, The Possible Impossible House See page 7

Liverpool Acoustic Festival

“This is classic Forced Entertainment territory: messy, a little bit mad and strangely enchanting.”

GUARDIAN

Acclaimed theatre maker Dan

Bye’s Fringe First award-winning comic storytelling show about being on the front line of an epidemic See page 20

Back for a third year with some of the world’s top acoustic performers See page 17 1

Forced Entertainment | 8 - 9 Apr

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World Premiere

Fri 4 Dec - Sat 9 Jan | Tickets selling fast!

Once upon a time, in a land far away, There was a tall bed and a girl came to stay.

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

Extra Performances between Christmas & New Year!

Cast (from top left clockwise) Graham Hicks, Keddy Sutton, Duncan Cameron, Josie Cerise

A Unity Theatre production in association with Action Transport Theatre Devised by the company | Director: Nina Hajiyianni | Writer: Kevin Dyer | Music & lyrics: Patrick Dineen | Lighting design by Phil Saunders | Sound design by Julie Kearney | Design by Theatre and Performance Design students from LIPA: Victoria Saville and Molly Lacey Davies

BSL Signed:12 Dec @ 11am, 18 Dec @ 2pm, 2 Jan @ 5.30pm

www.theprincessandthepea.co.uk

Family Circus @ The Black-E

Thu 18 - Sat 20 Feb | 7pm Thu & Sat 2pm Fri & Sat Meet a chaotic family of misfits in this colourful, loud comedy that combines heart-stopping circus skills with slapstick and clowning.



One of the funniest shows this year The Reviews Hub

Join us for spectacular circus skills, physical comedy, theatrical storytelling, stunning aerial and acrobatics.

Perfect for ages 5+ and their families.

This production will be based at The Black-E, just five minutes walk from Unity by the Chinese Arch.

Jacksons Lane presents Lost in Translation Circus Presented in Liverpool by Unity Theatre with The Black-E

£12 adult | £8 child | £25 family* £6 Thu preview includes free Q&A *Family ticket is four tickets with min 1 child ** Discounts available for groups of 10+

W or ld

Pr em ie re

family.

Tue 1 Mar | 6pm Join cheeky chappy Bardolph on his rollercoaster ride through Shakespeare’s stories - perfect for ages 8 to 12 and their families.

Everyone needs a helping hand at times and I’m just the boy for the job!

Who will we meet? Where will we go?

Can you get my pals out of a pickle?

One thing’s for sure, we’ll have a whole lot of fun along the way!

A Unity Theatre and Up The Road production

£6 all tickets

“ We’re all really excited to be

working alongside Up The Road Theatre to help little Bardoph come into the world - or rather into a library, school, arts venue or community hall near you.

Developing Bardolph’s Box is very much part of our ongoing commitment to making great work for under 12s and their families.

”

Matthew Linley | Artistic Director

Where else can you see the show?

Wed 9 Mar

3:30pm

Childwall Library

Fri 11 Mar

10:30am

Liverpool Central Library

Wed 30 Mar

10:30am

Toxteth Library

Wed 30 Mar

1:30pm

Norris Green Library

Fri 1 Apr

10:30am

West Derby Library

Fri 1 Apr

1:30pm

Liverpool Central Library

The show is also touring to Wigan, Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, St Helens and across the South East. For more venues, visit our website.

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Saturday Splatts KITE

Times: 10am - 12pm (5 - 8s)

1pm - 3pm (9 - 13s) £5 a session

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6+

£3 for those in reciept of income support

Tue 15 - Wed 16 Mar | 7pm Tue & Wed 2pm Wed A lonely girl goes to live in her grandma’s flat far away from seagulls and sand dunes. One night a kite comes to life starting a wild adventure with storytelling, puppetry and music.

The Wrong Crowd in association with Soho Theatre.

Pay What You Want

We recommend around £8!

8+

Dates: 23 Jan, 6 Feb, 20 Feb, 5 Mar, 2 Apr,

16 Apr, 30 Apr & 14 May

An adventure as wild as the wind

ag es

Our arts workshops are filled with making, acting, storytelling and play. Relax in our café while your kids enjoy 2 hours of safe fun to learn fresh skills, gain self confidence and meet new friends.

The Possible Impossible House

Error 404 by Dan Bye

Fri 8 - Sat 9 Apr | 6pm Fri 11am & 2pm Sat

There’s a boy. No more than ten years old. You know someone just like him - except that his best friend is a robot.

Doodles in a book spring to life and lead you on an enthralling night-time adventure. A new show by the internationally acclaimed Forced Entertainment. £10 adults | £8 children | £30 family of 4 Book early, tickets will sell out!

*Family ticket is four tickets with min 1 child

Thu 28 & Sat 30 Apr | 6pm Thu 4pm Sat

 The Stage

Funny, engaging and unusual. £6 all tickets

Only 82 tickets available per show!

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Stephen K Amos

£1 4

£1 7

standupcomedy.

The Laughter Master

  Broadway Baby This a faultless hour of comedy from The Chase’s Paul Sinha.

£5

£8

The maestro of feel-good comedy, as seen on Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week, and Live at the Apollo.

Altruism in Birds

Nincompoop

One impressive comic

Tue 12 Apr | 7pm

Disgusting and delightful in equal measure. She is definitely one to watch.

Three Weeks Book Stephanie Laing and Chris Stokes for just £10!

Mark Watson

Jonny & The Baptists

I’m Not Here

£1 0

Book Chris Stokes and Stephanie Laing for just £10!

27 - 28 Apr | 7:30pm

The End is Nigh

The multi-award-winner returns following 2014’s sell out show. As seen on Mock The Week, Live at the Apollo and Have I Got News For You.

Thu 5 May | 8pm

Matt Forde

George Egg

Get The Political Party Started Tue 17 May | 8pm Hilarious satire from the UK’s leading political comedian as seen on Have I Got News For You and Question Time.

£1 2

Free Q&A - see page 22

A new show about family, friendship and environmental disaster - from the five time award nominated BBC Radio 4 comedy stars.

£1 4/

£1 7

Chris Stokes’ (Dave’s One Night Stand) story of love, crisis, recovery and a seagull...

£1 2

Stephanie Laing

Tue 12 Apr | 8:45pm The New Statesman

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Postcards from the Z List Tue 8 Mar | 8pm

Tue 26 Jan | 8pm

Chris Stokes

Paul Sinha

Anarchist Cook Tue 31 May | 8pm

  Edinburgh Guide 1 man. 1 show. 3 courses.

A cocktail of stand-up comedy, tasty food, striking innovation and extreme multi-tasking.

Move Over Moriarty Thu 14 - Sat 16 Jan | 8pm

...glorious, splendidly silly...

The Independent

...can hardly be bettered...

The Guardian

Holmes investigates the garibaldi biscuit affair, a case as impenetrable as a London pea souper.

At The Strand Theatre fear stalks the corridors as turns are murdered by an invisible hand.

LipService Theatre move effortlessly from frock to frock coat in this Victorian thriller. £14 | £12 conc

Second Soprano Fri 29 Jan | 8pm

 britishtheatre.com The untold story of the nurses and entertainers who served in World War One. A stirring mix of physical comedy, music hall tradition and rock ‘n’ roll.

A new production by Shrimpton & Routledge

£14 | £12 conc

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World Premiere

The Broke ‘N’ Beat Collective A mash up of hip-hop, theatre and puppetry Thu 4 - Sat 13 Feb | various times

“ The Broke ‘N’ Beat Collective

Gripping tales, transfixing poetry and hip-hop puppetry like you’ve never seen before - a raw, gritty, funny and moving gig that explores the hardships faced by young people in the UK today.

sees Liverpool’s touring theatre company for young people 20 Stories High, working with the brilliant Theatre-Rites.

Together I’m expecting nothing less than theatrical fireworks. I can’t wait!

”

Bringing together four amazing artists: beat-boxer Hobbit, b-boy Ryan LoGisTic Harston, singer/rapper Elektric and puppeteer Mohsen Nouri to form The Broke ‘N’ Beat Collective.

Matthew Linley | Artistic Director

A 20 Stories High and Theatre-Rites co-production in association with Unity Theatre | Not suitable for under 13s To find out about our Speaker’s Corner, Post Show Jam and other events please visit unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk For UK tour dates visit 20storieshigh.org.uk

Photo by Gabriel Mokake Photography

£14 - £6 £6 under 21s (limited availability)

I Know All The Secrets In My World Wed 10 - Thu 11 Feb | 7pm Wed & 8:30pm Thu

Photo by Ben Hopper | Design by Guy Sanders

a poignant, skilfully rendered piece Financial Times The unexpected death of a mother. A father and a son struggle to find the language to bridge the gap, and to understand what family means without her.

A love story between father and son by the UK’s leading African theatre company tiata fahodzi.

In association with Watford Palace Theatre

£12 | £10 conc

futureplans.

Unity is where people discover new theatre. Our building is very special but we know it could be better. The experience should match the high-quality work on stage, we must be a sustainable 21st century theatre. That’s why we’ve taken your feedback and are working with the Liverpool based K2 Architects to develop ambitious plans to ensure Unity is enjoyed by generations to come.

Matthew Linley | Artistic Director & CEO

Creating a world class audience experience to be enjoyed by all.

We will move the entrance of the building so it’s more central and accessible. This will open up the foyers so they’re less crowded with better access to the bars and toilets.

We will make the building more welcoming, and ensure it still feels irredeemably Unity.

Becoming a greener and more sustainable organisation.

Too hot or too cold? We want to control our heating better to be more energy efficient and make sure Unity is environmentally friendly and a comfortable place to be.

These updates will help Unity invest in great new shows rather than utility bills!

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Supporting artists in imagining, exploring & creating new work.

Our two theatres can’t be used at the same time because of sound issues. We’ll sort this, and update our equipment to make sure we continue to have world class facilities.

For audiences this will mean more thrilling shows and more work made in Liverpool.

How can we get involved?

We are at the start of our journey to raise £750,000 to make our ambitious plans a reality for artists, audiences and the people of Liverpool.

To find out more, share your thoughts and ideas and support our fundraising please visit unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk or e-mail suewilliams@unitytheatre.co.uk.

First architect’s visual © K2 Architects, Liverpool

Chip Shop Chips Mon 22 - Wed 24 Feb | 7pm It’s the reopening of Booth and Son’s Fish & Chip Shop. Eric has returned home, over 40 years after he left, and it’s time for a fresh start. But old flame Christine has other ideas...

Prepare to be transported back to a time of chippy teas and Northern Soul with an immersive love story performed in a chippy!

Performances across Liverpool, Wirral and Sefton.

A Box of Tricks production (Plastic Figurines)

Visit our website for the deep fried prices Show includes fish ‘n’ chip supper!

The Musicians

by Patrick Marber Wed 9 & Fri 11 Mar | 7:30pm Prescot School Orchestra is to perform in Moscow at the European Festival of Youth, playing Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony. But when their instruments are impounded by customs, their dreams look shattered.

Luckily Alex, the Russian boy who cleans the hall is a devout Pinball Wizard fan, and he comes up with an ingenious plan to save the day.

A National Theatre Connections 500 production, produced by MATE Young Actors Company.

£8 | £6 conc

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World Premiere

Who’s Afraid Of The Working Class?

Thu 3 - Sat 5 Mar | 8pm Thu - Sat 4pm Sat

Demonisation is the ideological backbone of an unequal society Owen Jones Lazy scroungers, benefit claimants, dirty scum.

You make your own luck, if you work hard, push, strive, you’ll rise above the rest, leave the dregs behind. The problem? None of it is true.

One man’s life.

80 years a working class hero.

80 years a working class martyr.

Acclaimed Liverpool playwright Luke Barnes’ (Bottleneck) epic, stark and bold play asks, has anything ever changed?

A LIPA production performed by third year acting students in association with Unity Theatre

£10 | £8 concessions £7 matinee

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Hi gh lig ht Se as on

Dirty Pakistani Lingerie Fri 1 Apr | 8pm

‘Breaks down stereotypes of Muslim women’

‘a must-see of this year’s festival’

The Wall Street Journal

Fringe Review

Post 9/11 America. Hear the interwoven stories of six Pakistani-American Muslim women, from a six year old girl to a sixty-five year old woman, at a chaotic cultural juncture.

See sparks fly and preconceptions about Muslim women & politics hilariously and hauntingly shattered.

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£14 | £12 conc

Friday 18th - Saturday 19th mArch

Schools Improvageddon Thu 10 Mar | 7pm Following a 10 week project with Broadgreen International School and Pensby High School, 4 new improvisation teams from across 6 academic years will compete for the chance to become the first ever Schools Improvageddon Champions. Featuring songs, scenes and silliness all inspired by audience suggestions. £10 | £8 conc

Tinned Goods Sat 2 Apr | 8pm Sue and Rachel have not spoken since the miners walked out. Under the strain of politics, pickets and principles, can the women find a voice to save their relationships and their way of life?

A Tea and Tenacity show Written by Fiona Whitelaw

£10 | £8 conc

Liverpool Acoustic Festival returns for a 3rd year – once again taking over all of Unity, and this year breaking out across Hope Street and into Liverpool Philharmonic’s brand new Music Room. This year’s acts include Scott Matthews, Marcus Bonfanti and Ian Prowse with more to be confirmed. Book early to avoid missing out.

Weekend ticket: £40 Fri ticket: £20 | Sat ticket: £30 *tickets are sold via Liverpool Philharmonic and are subject to booking fees | Lineups may be subject to change

find out more at

liverpoolacousticfestival.co.uk

Brakin’ Pad

Resurrection Half Price

Tue 5 - Sat 9 Apr | 8pm

Wed 13 Apr | 8pm

Car trouble is the least of Bert’s worries; gangsters, guns and a new dodgy business partner, sometimes the female of the species has to come to the rescue. A new comedy from the producers of If The Shoe Fits.

What if Jesus and Mary had been born today and went on holiday with a low cost airline? A surreal dark comedy where anything can happen. A new show by Teatro Pomodoro.

£12 | £10 conc

£12 | £10 conc

Moggies The Musical

Double Bill

Thu 14 - Sat 16 Apr | 8pm

Tue 19 Apr | 8pm

Join the fab furry four and laugh along with their tom cat tales. With fine new songs making you feline groovy, don’t paws, get your tickets meow for this purr - fect theatrical experience.

Two dark comedies by Naughty Corner Productions.

The award winning apocalypticThe Bastard Queen plays alongside outrageous crime caper Not The Horse in an evening of laugh-out-loud theatre. £13 | £11 conc In te rn at io na ls ho w

£12 | £10 conc

Dirty Glitter

The Lamellar Project

Wed 20 Apr | 8pm

Fri 22 - Sat 23 Apr | 8pm

Naughty Corners’ neon noir play is a tale of blood, vengeance and, above all else, glitter. A show with gut-busting laughter and unbearable tension.

Two scientists uncover terrifying truths about a future world crisis as their relationship dangerously unravels. An exhilarating new trans-atlantic thriller.

£13 | £11 conc

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£12 | £10 conc

“

I’m facinated by what digital can and will mean for live performance. The Lamellar Project with one performer here in the UK and one simultaneously in the US offers up one possibility. Join us for this special award winning experiment

”

Matthew Linley | Artistic Director

The Lamellar Project | 22 - 23 Apr

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ge in Fr r ne in tW rs Fi

Going Viral

by Dan Bye Fri 29 - Sat 30 Apr | 8pm

 The Guardian  The Independent  The Telegraph An aeroplane flies from India to England. Everyone on board is weeping. Everyone except you.

Dan Bye (The Price Of Everything) presents this epic, hilarious and tragic story from the front line of an epidemic, with his unique blend of storytelling, playful comedy and performance lecture.

An ARC Stockton Production | Directed by Dick Bonham

£14 - £6

“

The real beauty of Dan’s work is the way he weaves interesting, funny and intruiging stories with an intellectual robustness. All realised with a genuine sense of joy. It’s great to have Dan bringing both Going Viral (which I loved in Edinburgh) and his family show Error 404.

Go on, see them both!

”

Matthew Linley | Artistic Director

what do you think?

It’s important for us to get feedback about our work.

You can tell us about your experience on facebook, twitter, our questionnaires, comments book or even trip advisor! All of it is really helpful and appreciated.

If you want to go a step further how about joining our team of reviewers who regularly share their thoughts about what they’ve seen. For more information contact annemariemartin@unitytheatre.co.uk

Scratch Night Tue 26 Apr | 8pm Brand new shows from local and national companies.

See exciting exerpts of new work from the best theatre makers. See the future of theatre, today.

Pay What You Want

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The Joke

by Will Adamsdale with Brian Logan and Lloyd Hutchinson Tue 3 - Wed 4 May | 8pm An Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman got trapped in a joke.

‘How do we get out?’ said the Englishman.

‘Just stop telling it’ said the Irishman.

‘But we’re too far in!’ said the Scotsman.

All three checked their phones for reception.

A new play from Perrier award winner Will Adamsdale and company - exploring jokes and why we tell them, countries and why we need (and despair of) them, and life and why we bother. And tic tacs.

Directing support from Joe Hill-Gibbins.

Produced by Fuel. Commissioned by Unity Theatre.

£14 | £12 conc

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companies in residence Unity is a hotbed of new work. We’re delighted that this season will feature four homegrown world premieres (The Princess and The Pea, The Broke ‘n’ Beat Collective, Bardolph’s Box and Who’s Afraid Of The Working Class).

This season we will also be supporting new work by Hetain Petal, Teatro Pomodoro, Alice Bunker-Whitney, Headstrung, Lizzie Nunnery and Katie Mulgrew. Look out for the homegrown icon or visit our blog for more!

Matthew Linley | Artistic Director & CEO

participate We deliver educational projects in schools, colleges and universities as well as open workshops for the wider community. We offer theatre tours with Q&A sessions with staff, creative workshops, post-show discussions, bespoke creative projects, professional development workshops and much more.

For information visit our website or contact louiseflooks@unitytheatre.co.uk

unity youth theatre Open to all young people from 14 - 18 years, our Youth Theatre works with professional theatre companies and practitioners, enabling members to gain experience in the performing arts and develop a variety of skills to create new work.

For information contact uyt@unitytheatre.co.uk

Fr ee

workshops & events Mark Watson

Hogwallops

Q&A

Circus Skills

Thu 28 Apr | 5:30pm

Feb half term (date tbc)

Acclaimed comedian and author Mark Watson talks about his career and latest show.

Beginners workshop for ages 7 - 14 with the team behind The Hogwallops at The Black-E.

Broke ‘N’ Beat

Elinor Randle

Puppeteering

Physical Theatre

Jan/Feb (date tbc)

March (date tbc)

Learn all about puppets with maker Rowan Watts.

Learn from Elinor Randle, Artistic Director of Tmesis Theatre and Liverpool’s Physical Fest.

In association with 20 Stories High and Theatre-Rites.

For details of all workshops and to book tickets visit unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

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booking & information buying tickets

access

terms & conditions

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

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

We charge 50p per transaction for card payments.

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

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

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

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/t&c

Enquire at the box office for details.

volunteer

keep in touch

thanks

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

t

Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council, Friends of Theatre, L1 Estates, The Frood Family, Jon Keeble DWF LLP & Business in the Arts: North West, unityangels and all our donors.

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

unitytheatre

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

support us.

hire our spaces.

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

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

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

More information:

unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/hireus

Find out more about our exciting plans for the future on page 12 and visit our website to discover how you can help!

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

Errors and omissions excepted.

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boxoffice: 0151 709 4988 unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk

Friday 18th - Saturday 19th mArch

Matt Forde

Get The Political Party Started Tue 17 May | 8pm Hilarious satire from the UK’s leading political comedian as seen on Have I Got News For You and Question Time.

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

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