31 AUG - 11 SEP 2022 St Luke’s Bombed-Out Church, Leece Street, Liverpool, L1 liverpooltheatrefestival.com2TR BrochureFestival Sponsored by Partners
Sponsored by Partners FULL PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED! St Luke’s Bombed-Out Church liverpooltheatrefestival.com Sat 11 Sep • 3pm Looking For Me Friend Sun 11 Sep • 7pm Wed 31 Aug • 6pm | 8pm by Bertolt Brecht Translated by John Willett Produced by Theatre Right Now Directed by Anthony Proctor. Fear and Misery of the Third Reich Thu 1 Sep • 7.30pm Chris Cairns Mick DuncanMillerOakleyTom Wrigglesworth Fri 2 Sep • 6pm | 8.30pm by Megan Hindley & Beth Amos Not Drunk But Disorderly Sat 3 Sep • 5pm Sat 3 Sep • 7.30pm Thu 8 Sep • 7.30pm Fri 9 Sep • 6pm | 8.30pm Sat 10 Sep • 12pm DRAGFRIENDLYFAMILYSHOW Sat 10 Sep • 4pm Sat 10 Sep • 8pm Sun 4 Sep • 12pm Ma Joyce’s Tales From The Parlour Sun 4 Sep • 3pm Mon 5 Sep • 6pm | 8.30pm Tue 6 Sep • 7.30pm Wed 7 Sep • 8pm IT’S BACK 31 AUG11 SEP 2022
Artistic
WELCOME… To the third annual Liverpool Theatre Festival. With shows daily performed outdoors within the walls of the beautiful and historic St Luke’s Bombed Out Church in Liverpool city centre. The festival boasts its biggest programme yet featuring variety and cabaret, comedy, opera, drama, musicals, family shows, and drag acts. We are proud to welcome four shows which have already wowed audiences at the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival – all are coming to Liverpool Theatre Festival for the very first time. We are also welcome back two shows that had stand out performances at our sister new works festival Little LTF and we introduce and new Cabaret night which I plan to become a regular spot at LTF. From the very beginning, it was our mission to create a diverse festival to showcase new and developing works on an exciting platform for the talent which thrives so strong in our city and region. We are very proud of this year’s programme – and feel that the variety and cabaret elements will really strengthen our offer and appeal. So join us for 12 days of fun, laughter, drama, and uplifting live entertainment.” We would like to thank our sponsors and partners for their support for our growing festival, without them we wouldn’t be here. We look forward to welcoming you to Liverpool Theatre Festival and enjoy the show! Bill Elms Festival/Artistic Director Elms & DirectorFestival
Bill
Direct from its second season at the Edinburgh Fringe, and boasting a West End Wilma Award, three further award nominations and over 30 five-star reviews. This sparkling musical revue reveals everything that you could possibly want to know about being a musical theatre performer... if only there were any who would dare to admit it. Featuring an illustrious cast of West End regulars, this unique show comedically covers the journey from wide-eyed drama school graduate right through to brattish diva, or past-it chorus member, or bitter has-been (or “neverwas”), lifting the lid on awful auditions, debilitating dance routines, mid-performance mishaps, and backstage backstabbing – plus those magical moments that make it all seem worthwhile. WEDNESDAY 31 AUGUST 6PM & TICKETS8PM £18 MusicalComposer/Lyricist,Director/Pianist,&Co-Arranger Alexander BermangeS. Co-Arranger Jerome Van Den Berghe Director Choreographer& Joanna Goodwin Associate Director & Choreographer Holly Prentice Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
Holly’s theatre credits include: What’s On Stage Awards (Prince of Wales Theatre); Joseph & the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Kilworth House Theatre); West End Musical Brunch (Café de Paris); Jack & the Beanstalk (Mayflower, Southampton); Mountbatten Festival Of Music (Royal Albert Hall); Cinderella (London Palladium) and A Chorus Line (Bird College). Other credits include: Captain Marvel 2 (Marvel, Stunt artist) and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway (ITV). Luke Harley Alice Ellen Wright Harry Winchester Holly Prentice
Alice trained at the BRIT School and then went on to complete her musical theatre training at Laine Theatre Arts. She made her West End debut in Les Misérables at the Queen’s Theatre. Other credits include the Hello Again (Union Theatre); Sleeping Beauty (Castle Theatre, Wellingborough); Aladdin (Capitol, Horsham). Alice has also sung around the world as a lead vocalist on Celebrity Cruise Lines and on BBC Radio 2 with the BBC Concert Orchestra for Friday Night is Music Night
Luke trained at the Arts Educational Schools, London. Luke’s credits including Titanic (UK & international tour); The Producers (international tour); Oklahoma! (Royal Albert Hall); Buttons in Cinderella (Theatre Royal, Wakefield); Thoroughly Modern Millie (Kilworth House); Sweet Charity (Cadogan Hall); Big Fish (European premiere); Jack & the Beanstalk (Theatre Royal, Windsor).
Luke would like to thank his wonderful family and the amazing team at Apollo Artist Management for their unwavering support.
Harry trained at the Arts Educational School, London. Harry’s credits include: Peter Pan (Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre); The Pirate Queen (London Coliseum); A Letter to Harvey Milk (Waterloo East Theatre); Stiles and Drewe’s Three Little Pigs (Underbelly Festival); Lohengrin (Royal Opera House); Aladdin (Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury); Happy Ever After (Lighthouse, Poole); We’ll Have To Do It Again Then, Won’t We? (Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury); My Mental Breakdown - A Musical (Turbine Theatre); Ferris & Milnes’ Christmas Cracker (Ambassadors Theatre).
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
Brecht’s series of twenty-four interconnected playlets describe events which took place in ordinary German households in the 1930s. They dramatise with clinical precision the suspicion and anxiety experienced by ordinary people, particularly Jewish citizens, as the power of Hitler grew. Fear and Misery of the Third Reich will be presented at St Luke’s the Bombed Out Church, a building which acts as a reminder of the power and fury of Hitler, and as the power of the resistance of the allied forces. Juxtaposed against the modern atrocities happening in Ukraine now, this play is a siren call, a warning that if we allow hate to grow, we can, so easily allow history to repeat itself. The performance is dedicated in solidarity to the people of Ukraine. THURSDAY 01 SEPTEMBER7:30PMTICKETS £20 Written by Bertolt Brecht Translated by John Willett Produced by Theatre Right Now Directed by Anthony Proctor Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
Training: RADA Reg returns to the bombed-out church having been part of Liverpool Theatre Festival’s ‘Little LTF’ in May, appearing as Denny in ‘Keeping Mum’.
TV credits include ANNE (ITV).
Training: Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). Megan Thorne is a working-class actress, proudly born and raised in Bedfordshire. Her passions lie in female- led comedy, creating theatre which will encourage change and gritty dramas. Megan has just graduated from her 3 years of training at LIPA and is ready to make her mark in the industry!
Liam Powell-Berry Reginald Edwards Megan Thorne Samantha Alton
After finishing his training in 2019 Liam Powell-Berry has starred in multiple stage shows across the North West including Naughty Corner Productions ‘Raves R Us’ (Glastonbury Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Underbelly) and at venues such as the Everyman Theatre and Royal Court. TV includes Jimmy McGovern’s MOVING ON (BBC).
Training: Liverpool Hope University. Samantha is best known locally for her portrayal of Kitty Wilkinson in the one-woman show ‘Kitty, Queen of the Washhouse’, produced by Arts Groupie CIC (St Georges Hall, Shakespeare North Playhouse); Samantha’s latest credits include, ‘Gwen’ in Naughty Corner Productions ‘Raves R Us’ (Glastonbury Festival, Edinburgh Fringe Underbelly), and ‘Claire’ in ‘The Comeback Special’ by Ian LastSalmon.yearshe recorded her first audio play at The National Theatre and she can be spotted in the British Legion Poppy Lottery advert which is somehow still doing the rounds!
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FRIDAY 02 SEPTEMBER6:30PM&8:30PMTICKETS £22 With comedians Mick Miller, Tom Wrigglesworth, Duncan Oakley and your host Chris Cairns to entertain you. Laughterhouse are Liverpool’s longest running comedy club. They have been bringing the very best in live comedy to audiences across the UK for 14 years. They know exactly what makes a perfect evening of stand-up. Laughterhouse built their business as comedy fans, knowing that live stand-up is the most powerful and exciting evening to be part of. They are delighted to be back for a third consecutive year at Liverpool Theatre Festival at The Bombed-Out Church. Laughterhouse brings you an evening of hilarity featuring your Scouse favourites and the very best acts on the international comedy-circuit! Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
Radio City Breakfast Presenter Ideal, The Royal Variety Performance Electric Dreams, BBC English Comedian of the Year 2015 Chris Cairns Mick Miller Tom Wrigglesworth Duncan Oakley “Liverpool’sBigYin” Liverpool Echo “Annightidealout!” Chortle “Magical hystericalstorytelling...andaccomplished” Time Out “Leaping brilliance”stupiditybetweenandpure Yorkshire Post CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
SATURDAY 03 SEPTEMBER5:30PMTICKETS £18 Created by Megan Hindley Created by Beth Amos “The polish and timing from the co-creators is staggering…expectsimplytosee it reappear and, if you do, snap up tickets immediately!” ***** Good News Liverpool Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
Howard and Geoffrey are local police officers who don’t know how to office. Nine residents, one murder. Two actors, nine characters. Trouble is easy to find, but a murderer isn’t. When called to the scene, Howard and Geoffrey not only have to find the perpetrator but also find the dead body that they somehow managed to lose. Not Drunk but Disorderly is a physical comedy that entertains, humours, and mocks each other and the society we live in. Murder mystery meets Dumb & Dumber. But they’re both Dumber. Whodunit? Dunno. But they’ll find out. The long waySelectedround. after wowing audiences at Little LTF. This performance is back by popular demand.
Hindley & Amos met in 2017 whilst both studying a BA in Drama at Liverpool Hope University. Together, they then studied an MA in Acting at LIPA. Since graduating Hindley & Amos have already performed their debut to a sold-out audience at the Little Liverpool Theatre Festival for New Works and are thrilled to perform as part of the Liverpool Theatre Festival with Not Drunk but Disorderly. Megan Hindley Beth Amos
Beth is from the North East and moved to Liverpool in 2017 to study Drama and has remained in Merseyside since. Although Beth trained in the Classics, it was through her studies she developed passion and flare for physical theatre and comedy.
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Megan is from Merseyside and has studied both Drama and Acting in Liverpool. Alongside performing, Megan teaches Drama and Improv at Anamal Dance Company in Hoylake. Megan also trained at Anamal and has been a part of the school since 2010.
Life is a cabaret old chum, so come to the cabaret… as Liverpool Theatre Festivals launches a sensational Saturday night of the finest and quirkiest cabaret acts from across the region, including comedy, burlesque, music and circus. Hosted by the super talented Nana Funk and starring Liverpool’s own glamour queen, Millie Dollar, and all presented in the stunning surroundings of the Bombed Out Church. Holy Moly Cabaret will become a regular show at Liverpool Theatre Festival so be sure to be at the launch event. This is just a taster of the acts performing so watch this space for more announcements coming soon. SATURDAY 03 SEPTEMBER7:30PMTICKETS £20 Hosted by Nana Funk Produced by Bill ProductionsElms Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
Jollyboat are the UK’s best comedypirate geek-rock bard duo. Brothers Tommy and Ed write catchy songs and lyrics packed with fast-paced one-liners. They always have fun, and it’s highly infectious. Jollyboat have performed at Glastonbury festival, Edinburgh Fringe, won the UK Musical Comedy Awards, and toured Europe and Australia. With comedy, music, live video and graphics, this is a show unlike anything you’ve seen before Nana Funk Millie Dollar Black Liver Jollyboat
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
Born out of the boredom of Lockdown 2020, Keith Carter and Ruth Cockburn started making YouTube music videos as rock n roll comedy band, Black Liver. They became an online hit. Fast forward two years and Black Liver are now on a nationwide tour with two of their shows, Miss Nobodies (the book of which is now in the British Library) and Support Your Local Library! A Gothic Pub Rock Opera; which made its debut at last year’s Liverpool Theatre Festival and was nominated for Best Theatre Production at this year’s Buxton Fringe Festival.
Angie Waller has been entertaining the world for over 25 years. As well as recently producing her own shows An Evening With Nana Funk (touring), Nana Funk’s Christmas Cracker (Unity Theatre, Liverpool) and Ask Nana (online). Nana is also a regular on the cabaret scene nationwide including Shambala Festival, Secret Circus Cabaret, Liverpool Horror Club and The Bird Cage Stage. Angie’s first Arts Council funded play Tough Old Bird will be premiering at Unity Theatre later this month before embarking on a short North West tour.
Millie Dollar is the Scouse Mouse who became a powerhouse. With her 16 years of travelling and performing internationally, she has first hand experience of life as a headline performer. She has tread the boards in America, Europe, the UK and being the first burlesque performer to dance in Nepal, Millie has run her successful show The Martini Lounge, bringing the best of burlesque to Liverpool since 2007. Millie also runs own burlesque school, The Dollar Bills Workshop, and has just launched the worlds first burlesque and cabaret history podcast - Cabaret Darlings
“So - thisis - a - River!” A summer afternoon in Wild Wood, while the animals sat, ate picnics and played with their friends, a mischievous ‘poop poop’ echoed in the trees. Join Mole, Ratty and Badger in a floor stomping, hilarious recount of this woodland adventure as they save Toad and his shiny new motorcar from deep trouble. Described as “Remarkable” this new adaptation, assisted with some great folk-rock tunes, is perfect for the modern-day audience. An acclaimed, not to be missed, story comes dramatically alive. SUNDAY 04 SEPTEMBER12PMADULTS £14 CHILDREN £10 Produced by Calf 2 Cow Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
Matthew attained an MA in Creative Producing at Bath Spa University. It was during this time he created Calf 2 Cow productions. Matthew’s directing has seen him win awards including Connections Best Director Award for his first film DAYDREAM created when he was only 17. His most recent film, Othello Noir, won Kenneth Branagh’s Best Inspired Film by Shakespeare (2018). Matthew uses Calf 2 Cow to make theatre and film accessible to all ages and all people something he is incredibly passionate about.
Samuel is an actor and musician who trained at Bath Spa School of Music & Performing Arts. He has performed internationally with the likes of Selladoor, Big Wooden Horse, Young Shakespeare, Torch, Splendid, Three Inch Fools, Prime and Omnibus. He has built a strong career in Shakespeare, Commercial and Children’s Theatre.
Alexandra is an actor, writer and drag artist who trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. She has performed across the UK and in Italy as an actor and is a member of the internationally recognised Natural Theatre Company. Her acting credits include Real Life (Flipside Productions), A Midsummer Night’s Dream (YAOW Theatre), The Breach (Apricity Theatre), The Haunted Hotel (Moonstone Murder Mysteries) and In An Endless Garden (Black Dog Productions).
Isobel trained with the National Youth Theatre, UEA and the Atlantic Acting School, New York. Isobel has been lucky enough to work with some cracking companies usually with an instrument or two in hand. Her credits include Romeo & Juliet, Midsummer (YSC), Goldilocks & The Three Bears (Hiccup Theatre), Macbeth , Much Ado (Three Inch Fools) and The Tin Soldier (Folksy Theatre). She is extremely excited to be joining Calf2Cow this summer.
Alexandra Ricou Matthew Emeny Samuel Freeman Isobel Witcomb
As an associate artist of Calf 2 Cow, he has performed and composed music for The Wave and The Wind In The Willows and cannot wait to hit the road again this year!
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
Ma Joyce celebrates the triumph and tragedies of motherhood, grand motherhood and her observation of Liverpool’s social, economic and political life, from her uniquely humorous perspective. Set in Liverpool, the play tells the story of a mixed-race grandmother of Nigerian and Irish heritage, as she celebrates her birthday and re-visits the people and places from her past. Ma Joyce takes us on a rollercoaster journey back to her childhood in the convent in the Welsh countryside; the romantic meeting and relationship with her late Nigerian husband Mani and her journey to Nigeria only to discover that, “In England I am black. In Africa I am white. It’s a funny, bloody world.”
SUNDAY 04 SEPTEMBER3PMTICKETS £18 Written & performed by Victoria Evaristo Directed by AngelaMichaelsEkaette “Warming and fun... she’s an endearing soul, full of wisdom with that Liverpudlian sense of humour.” Timeout Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
Victoria Evaristo trained at the Guildhall School of Music and drama and is an actor, director and freelance drama tutor.
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Victoria Evaristo Angela Ekaette Michaels
Recent acting work includes: The Pay Day (Praxima Films), Mummylogues (Old Red Lion theatre) and WOW Festival (Royal Festival Hall). Recent directing work includes: The Sweet Science of Bruising ( Young Actors Theatre), Just Aretha (Redbridge Drama Centre and LTF), Mummylogues (Old Red Lion Theatre) and In Search of a White Identity (Actors Centre On Demand Season). Angela is passionate about the power of story to ignite the imagination, provoke thought and bring positive change. Her productions are dynamic, visceral and with fully rounded characters, with whom audiences can relate. Angela has recently worked with writer Bisola Alabi on her one-woman show Mami Wata (Roundhouse, London). She was dramaturge and director on a tour of The Tragedian, by Glen Wilson and Associate Director on Conundrum by Paul Anthony Morris (Young Vic). Angela has directed new work for Patricia Cumper, Courttia Newland and Fin Kennedy (national tours), as well as developing cross-art form scratch pieces. She specialises in new writing and also finding novel approaches to established work, such as a promenade production of The Merchant of Venice (Studio 3 Arts). Angela is the co-founder of Tell Tarra Theatre, which showcased new work by writers from backgrounds under-represented in the industry.
All James had ever wanted was to write, he didn’t want any of… this. A drunken bet with an old friend moved him into the world of ‘erotic fiction’. The problem was he found out that he was good at it. Really good at it. He’s the most successful person you’ll ever meet and you’d never know it. He hates his job, hates his life, he’s drinking too much and his wife’s left him. You’re going to like Fromhim.the writer of Girls Don’t Play Guitars, The Comeback Special and Those Two Weeks, Venus Rising is a very modern Love Story about loss, regret, the decisions we make and finding out what we actually need.It’s one man telling you the story of his life and trying to work out whether it’s too late to write a happy ending. (For one night only, Venus Rising appears in its original monologue form.) Kettle
Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
MONDAY 05 SEPTEMBER6PM&8:30PMTICKETS £22 Written by Ian Salmon Directed by Julie
Julia has been involved with the theatre industry since the young age of ten. Originally taking to the stage in musicals with Forth Children’s Theatre, she then turned her hand to directing. With her passion for storytelling, Julia went on to direct Scottish plays with her theatre company Stag Hart Productions. She won the Scottish Arts Club’s ‘Bright Spark’ Award for directing with Laurie Motherwell’s Playback, Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016 After starting her career with the digital team for Hollyoaks, she soon immersed herself in the Liverpool theatre scene. She became a YEP director from 201617, during which time she directed The Effect by Lucy Prebble, Freak by Anna Jordan, and was assistant director for the Everyman Rep company’s Romeo & Juliet. She had the pleasure of directing Ian’s play Venus Rising as an ensemble piece in 2018, and is delighted to be returning to direct this version in its original monologue form. Julia Kettle Nick has been working in the industry for over a decade. He has worked with the National Theatre, National Youth Theatre, performed at the 2012 London Olympics and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival several times. Nick’s credits include: Bestbeat (Francis Duffy Productions), Enigma Stigma (An MT Production), Not the Horse (Naughty Corner), Wolf (Lantern Writers), Church Blitz (Naughty Corner), White City/ Black Country (National Youth Theatre), Prince of Denmark (National Theatre). Ian Salmon is a writer who began writing for theatre on turning fifty. His plays include the highly acclaimed Girls Don’t Play Guitars (Liverpool’s Royal Court), The Comeback Special (Epstein Theatre) and Those Two Weeks (Unity Theatre). A Brief Conversation About The Inevitability Of Love which opened Little LTF in summer 2020 will run in London in 2023 (venue tbc). He is currently in pre-production for two new plays to run in 2023 and 2024.
Venus Rising, initially produced in 2014, was his debut play and is presented now in monologue form for the first time. Nicky Sheedy Ian Salmon
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
You’ve heard of The Peaky Blinders… it’s time to get acquainted with The High Rip, Liverpool’s infamous Gang. Post war, and the city is overrun with poverty and hunger creating a breeding ground for violence and crime among the streets. Two rival gangs, The High Rip gang and The Logwood gang, battle it out to see who will rule the unruly. Even the authorities are too terrified to step in, well, until the arrival of notorious Constable ‘Pins’, known for his unorthodox as contraband has been lifted at the docks on its journey to London, and rumour has it, it has Jewels belonging to the CrownWhoeverinside.gets their hands on them jewels will earn their place as the King or Queen of the city. And people are desperate, they will do anything, even murder. Join DBY Interactive as they tell the story of TUESDAY 06 SEPTEMBER7:30PMTICKETS £18 Produced by DBY EventsInteractive Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment Paula Lee James DormanLorraine Fear Neal Gavyn Becky DominicBrooksQuinnMartin Henshell
WEDNESDAY 07 SEPTEMBER7:30PMTICKETS £18 Produced by Tenderfoot Theatre Directed by Daniel Vernon Production Manager Fran Helen Clover Production Assistant Phoebe Orsmond Media Producer Christina Handley Join us for a night of sex, smash, and saving the planet as we welcome you to Clapham South tube station – home to the last five survivors of the climate crisis. Ava and Cayden are having a baby, but with the oxygen dwindling, can they come together and stabilise their living situation, or will someone pay the ultimate price? With the group still rocked from the tragedies of their past, the fate of the world is left up to a grieving climate scientist, a sly It’s the end of the world as we know it - and it might be just what we need. Tenderfoot Theatre are a young, queer, and female-led eco-theatre company based in Lancashire and Liverpool. Combining climate activism with dynamic storytelling, they use a range of creative practices to ensure their productions Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com
Georgie Cunningham Adam Gannon Tom McGeough Tenderfoot Theatre is a young, queer, and female-led ecotheatre company based in Liverpool/Lancashire. Combining climate activism with dynamic storytelling, they use a range of creative planet conscious practices to ensure their productions tell sustainable stories, using sustainable methods - some of their previous methods include a fully compostable set and costume made from SCOBY - a waste by-product of brewing kombucha tea. With young voices on maximum volume, Stop the World is a story of the love we can find in the crisis, and the power of people with a shared vision for the future of generations to come. All TheatreTinderfootabout CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
THURSDAY 08 SEPTEMBER7:30PMTICKETS £28 “Standing ovations and encores, we cheered and wanted more.” ***** North West End Absolute Opera present a beautiful evening of sublime Operatic and Classical hits in the stunning open-air surroundings of St Luke’s bombed out Church. Starring national and international performers, including Tenor Roy Locke (Opera Australia), Soprano Leigh Rhianon Coggins (Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company) and Mezzo Soprano Augusta Knopov. With live piano accompaniment by Per Nielsen, this enchanting most well-loved and popular songs from Grand Opera, Operetta, Neapolitan Song and Modern Classical and Musical hits, all performed by world class performers in beautiful evening wear. Join us for a breath-taking evening of beautiful music suitable for opera lovers and novices alike. Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com
Roy Locke is an International Tenor of the highest standard. A true cross - over artist, he has performed the role of “The Phantom” hundreds of times in productions of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom Of The Opera all over the world. A graduate of The Sydney Conservatorium Of Music, Roy is Equally at home on the Operatic stage and has sung with Opera Australia, Operassion, Baden Bei Wien, Hamburg Kammeroper and the Australian Three Tenors.
Leigh grew up in Bridgend, South Wales. She graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, with a BMus (Hons) in Voice. Prior to graduating, she had already performed as Sophie in Der Rosenkavalier and Madame Warblewell in Der Schauspieldirektor for the Little Venice Opera and in The Rakes Progress and Candide, both for the Welsh National Youth Opera.
Per is a Danish born and a graduate of the Nordjysk Musikkonservatorium and the Royal Northern College of Music. He has performed widely in Britain, Ireland and Europe at prestigious venues including the Royal Exchange Theatre (Manchester), House of Lords (Dublin) and Radio Denmark’s Concert Hall (Copenhagen).
Augusta is a Mezzo Soprano from Liverpool and is a rising talent in the world of Opera. She graduated from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music & Dance under the tutelage of internation soprano, Joan Rogers. A member of RCS Voices, Augusta performed with the Royal Scottish National Opera in her debut La Belle Hélène (Blackheath Opera).
Rob Locke Leigh Rhianon Coggins Augusta Knopov Per Nielsen
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
Selected to perform at the main festival following its huge success at Little LTF festival of new works earlier this year. ‘97+’ is based on the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster were severe injuries lead to 97 lives lost. Set in 2012, haunted by their memories, Hillsborough Survivors John and Steve, each deal with the trauma they suffered as young boys now as middle-aged men. John bottles up his emotions and only exposes these to his wife Liz, as he regularly suffers from night terrors but avoids seeking treatment from the doctors. Opposed to Steve, who is in and out of hospital suffering from his multiple mental health issues where he is looked after by nurse Nancy, who appears to be the only person he sees as a friend. That is until he meets John, who’s charity pot in his newsagents sparks a conversation between the pair about their shared experiences. Despite countless setbacks, the Hillsborough Survivors continue their fight for justice. Selected after wowing audiences at Little LTF. This performance is back by popular demand.
FRIDAY 09 SEPTEMBER6PM&8:30PMTICKETS £20 Written & Directed by Tom Cain Written collaborationinwith The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance “10/10 Perfect - Possibly the most powerful theatre show I’ve ever seen.” Writebase
Leslie studied Acting at The Liverpool Community College and later graduated from the Independent Centre for Actors Training, Bolton before gaining a BA Hons in Media & Performance from the University of Salford. His credits include: ‘We will always have Bootle’, ‘Imagine If...’, ‘Lovesong’, ‘Under the Concrete, Waiting’, and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’. Leslie is co-starring in a feature film which is due out next year called BOARHOG
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Alice’s credits include: Mary Adams ‘Be My Baby’, Helena ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’, Frenchy ‘Grease’ and Pauline Clench ‘One Man Two Guvnors’. Earlier this year Alice played Lisa ‘No Way Out’, Mimi ‘Guys and Dolls’ and Brittany ‘Mom’s Gift’. Alice will be returning to the Liverpool Fringe Festival in October as Holly in ‘Michael’ after making her directing debut in last year’s festival with ‘It’s Different for Girls’ Colin trained as an actor and director at LIPA. His credits include: Anorak of Fire (One Man Show), Fame (London & Cyprus), Glow (National Tour), Sister Josephine Kicks the Habit (World Premiere) Twelfth Night (The Mercury Repertory Company) and Blaze of Darkness (International Production Company). For Quondam: Plays with Julie trained at Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts and is a Lecturer in the Department of English and Creative Media at Edge Hill University. Her theatre credits include: Through the Leaves of the Green Tree (Glossalalia Theatre Company), How To Ruin The Family Business (Environment Agency Commission/ LIPA), My Door Is Always Open (Eyewitness Theatre Company) Widows (Unity Theatre) and Jacques Brel Is Alive And Well And Living In Paris (Unity Theatre). Leslie Longley Alice McKillop Colin Kilbride Julie McCabe tickets at
Join our fury friends and help save their home in the ‘Forgotten Forest’ Ruined by pollution and litter and now Mean Queen Morticia is trying to build on top of the Forest. The animals will have to look for somewhere else to live or become the Queens servants, and learning some litter isn’t as rubbish as you first think! Join our animals and help tell their story! Celebrating friendship, ofenvironmenttogetherness,andthepowercommunity! SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER12PMADULTS £12 CHILDREN £10 Written by Becky Brookes A special thanks for the props and set that was designed and created by The Hive, Birkenhead and Roxy’z School of Performing Arts. liverpooltheatrefestival@lpoolTFestival/liverpooltheatrefestival
Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
RoxanneLeeMaleEdwinaLee
Adam is a Liverpool based actor with over 7 years in the industry. Adam has starred in critically claimed shows, recently starring in RavesRUs (Naughty Corner Productions) and critically acclaimed Good Grief (Ugly Bucket) at Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Film credits include Pebble And The Boy (Chris Green).
Edwinastudents.isatalented liverpool based actress, singer, writer and producer. She studied at LIPA. She’s the Co-Founder of company Tidal Town Theatre and is currently working on the gothic comedy Horror, Richard March, The Beetle. Becky’s career focuses on creating interactive and site specific shows that empower audiences and communities. Founding DBY Interactive and 3D Interact, clients include The Mersey Ferries, The Everyman&Playhouse, The British Commercial Vehicle Museum to Fred Olsen Olsen Cruise ships. She is passionate about connecting with audiences and encouraging them to help tell the story. 3D interact also delivers workshop programs for various community groups. Adam Nichols Paula Becky Brooks
Roxy is a Wirral based actress, singer and dancer. She also is the founder of Roxy’z School of Performing Arts, and we are delighted to reveal that some of our ‘Rubbish’ for the show has been created by her
Trained at The Arden School of Theatre. She has performed for over 15 years in Liverpool’s theatre and creative community. Paula enjoying playing The Mean Queen because ‘I love playing a baddie as they can have so much fun with the other characters and audience’
Come out, come out, wherever you are, and meet some great drag queens that have not come that far!! The new ‘Fab Four’, will be high heeling it to the Bombed-Out Church this September to bring to the LTF an event for all lovers of drag, and of all ages. Come join your hair-larious hostess and Liverpool lass, Dame Fanny De Faux , the magnificent Mystique, beautiful Brooke Spears and incredible Iva Bouquet for a fabulous 90 mins of dragtastic music, dance, comedy, games and general younger audience member has a special skill they’d love to share, then this will be the perfect opportunity in the Talent Show section of the afternoon. They should feel free to blow their trumpet, twerk it out on the dance floor, lip sync to their heart’s content or do whatever it is they do thebefamilyDuringbest!.thisfun-filledevent,wewillalsochoosingamemberofaudiencetobeautifully SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER4PMADULTS £15 CHILDREN £12.50 Produced by TBC Events Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
This gorgeous trio hail from Leeds and are widely recognised and highly regarded on the drag circuit there, having honed their skills at the wide variety of venues in the city, its surrounds as well as internationally. Individually that have a vast array of experience as make up artists, dancers, comedy queens, event hosts and as DJs. So now they really are a triple threat. Although they have known each other and are the closest of friends - which really shows when they perform together – The Starlets Drag Show was only formed in 2021, and they have not stopped, wowing audiences wherever they go. The Starlets are excited to be performing with Dame Fanny as always and particularly on this family friendly show for the LTF.
The darling diva that is DFDF has been hosting events for as far back as she can remember, but her first venture into producing a family friendly drag show, came in 2018, when she created a Drag Brunch at Liverpool’s iconic Cunard Building as part of that year’s Pride celebrations. This was a huge and surprising success and led to further inclusive family shows in Liverpool. It was at this 2018 event that she first worked with, amongst others, the magnificence that is Mystique. They have since worked together on most of the shows the Dame has produced, including both family friendly and non PG shows!! A more recent show at the incredible Spiegeltent in Bristol, bought Fanny together with The Starlets for a children’s Christmas show. Dame Fanny is delighted to be working with The Starlets again and more so, bringing their unique show to Liverpool Theatre Festival for 2022.
Dame Fanny De Faux The Starlets
SATURDAY 10 SEPTEMBER8PMTICKETS £18 Produced by TBC Events Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com
The only drag show that guarantees, if you don’t have fun, to fully refund your dull life back to you!!
Following pantie wetting hilarity in 2021 and a mini tour for 2022 of Liverpool, Manchester, and Birmingham, the aka Keller Kweens are high heeling it back to the Bombed-Out Church this September and will bringing with them their truly unique dragstravaganza of a night. Hosted once more by the darling divinity Dame Fanny De Faux and joined by the heavenly sensational The Starlets. Come join the magnificent Mystique, beautifully blessed Brooke Spears and the Iva Bouquet for a lashtastic evening of sinfully shameless shenanigans, live performance, games, giveaways, high jinks and gratuitous gorgeousness!! They’ll also be a chance for audience members, when Fanny insists they volunteer to take to the stage to compete in a lip sync challenge. One poor unfortunate will also be chosen to be beautifully transformed, before they take to their throne to be crowned Queen for a Night!! Sinner, sinner…this shows a winner, so get yer wiggle on and get booked in for an altarnative night to remember!!
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
Brooke also began her drag story back in 2011 when she secured a very respectable 2nd place in Drag Idol Leeds. From there she performed around the Leeds LGBTQ scene. As one of the founding members of ‘The Starlets’, she brought a bit of fresh blood onto the scene. She has raise thousands for a number of charities, entertained crowds across the country and performed internationallyincluding Gran Canaria Pride Main Stage & Sparkles Showbar!
Back in 2012 Iva Bouquet was nothing more than a humble boy working in a nightclub. They were looking for a new door host and she put herself forward and they gave her the opportunity. A few months later the sister venue invited her for an audition to be a part of the revolutionary drag team… an offer she couldn’t refuse and so Iva Bouquet was born. She got to perform a residency 4 nights a week and travel the country to different venues and Pride events. Her biggest performance to date is performing with the girls on the main stage at Gran Canaria Pride in front of 30,000 people.
This heavenly beauty started her drag journey by entertaining thousands at Leeds Pride, 2011 and from there she became a finalist in the prestigious national competition, Drag Idol. After perfecting her craft, she has taken multiple residencies across Yorkshire throughout her years. She helped found a revolutionary drag team which infused ‘glamorous, old school drag’ with modern adrenaline. With this team she became a formidable queen; raising thousands for charities, entertained crowds all over the country and performed internationally, including several Gran Canaria Pride performances.
Dame Fanny has been performing since the time of the cave man! Although she’s always slightly nervous it incase she loses her balance and topples off her heels! Fanny has now been in the buisiness for over 30 years, although you wouldn’t think it to look at her… unless you get in close!! These include the hilarious Keller Kweens, performed at Bierkellers across the country.She is currently collaborating on a one woman show, loosely based on her fabulous and varied performing life.
Dame Fanny De Faux Brooke Spears Mystique Iva Bouquet
Adored by millions, Dame Julie Andrews is a genuine showbiz icon. This charming yet cheeky cabaret takes a look at fame and fandom through the eyes and voice of award-winning performer SarahLouise Young (Fascinating Aida, An Evening Without Kate Bush). Julie’s songs from musicals including Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music and My Fair Lady are intertwined with stories and anecdotes about Andrews’ life, from her beginnings as a child star to the challenges of losing her famous singing voice. What emerges is a delightfully funny and candid love letter to a true show business survivor. Sarah-Louise is joined on piano by Aida,Roulstoncollaborator,long-termMichael(FascinatingTheNowShow). SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER3PMTICKETS £20 By Sarah-Louise Young “Dame Julie, you suspect, would approve. This is an evening that ends in triumph, not in tears” The Times “My cheeks hurt with smiling.” ***** Daily Telegraph
Michael is an award winning performer and songwriter. His live work includes: Fascinating Aïda (Southbank & Touring); Jess Robinson: No Filter (Edfringe & Touring); Dillie Keane (UK Touring, OffBroadway, Australia, Sri Lanka); Dusty Limits (Edfringe, Festivals, Australia & Touring); Julie, Madly, Deeply (West End, Australia, Canada, Off-Broadway, UK Touring); Christine Bovill’s Piaf (Edfringe & Touring); A Touch Of Mrs Robinson (Edfringe & Touring); The Black Cat Cabaret (Crazy Coqs, Cafe De Paris & Touring); Sophie Tucker’s One Night Stand (The King’s Head).
Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com
Sarah-Louise
Recorded work includes: Songs for BBC R4’s The Now Show; Jess Robinson: Are You Ready? album; Stars In Your Ears Podcast; Roulston & Young: Songs For Cynics / Two Faced / La Poule Plombée albums; Dillie Keane: Hello Dillie album and DVD; Dusty Limits: Grin / Life & I Otheralbums.writing includes: Maxa The Most Assassinated Woman In The World (workshopped at Wilton’s Music Hall); Who Is Sinclair Nye? (Rosemary Branch); Cabaret Whore (Edfringe & Touring). Young Michael Roulston
Sarah-Louise is an actor, writer, director and acclaimed cabaret performer. She’s appeared in the West End with Julie Madly Deeply, La Soirée, Fascinating Aida and Olivier Award winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical One half of comedy partnership Roulston & Young, she has performed all over the world including Off Broadway and at the prestigious Adelaide Cabaret Festival. She is currently presenting her 2019 Edinburgh smash hit An Evening Without Kate Bush and new show, The Silent Treatment , at the Edinburgh Fringe.
CAST Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
SUNDAY 11 SEPTEMBER7PMTICKETS £20 By CahootsCompanyTheatre Starring PAULUS “This show is a highlight of my year and I’d love to go again!” LondonTheatre1
Joined on-stage by Musical Director, and old friend, Michael Roulston, together the two prove what many have known for decades: that it takes two men to do the work of one woman –half as PAULUSwell!will remind us of Victoria’s bestloved songs through the decades, including ‘It Would Never Have Worked’, ‘Reincarnation’ and, of course, the classic ‘Ballad of Barry & Freda (Let’s Do It). As well as the songs, he explores the musicality of Victoria’s sketches and catchphrases, the northern accent and the modern ‘Polari’ that has evolved amongst her legions of fans through the quoting of her enormous body of work. Looking For Me Friend is a nostalgic hour of entertainment filled with love, laughter and fabulous memories for Victoria Wood fans.
Cabaret Performer & TV Personality, PAULUS, enters his 30th year in entertainment with a loving tribute to his idol: the late, great Victoria Wood.
Michael is an award winning performer and songwriter. His live work includes: Fascinating Aïda (Southbank & Touring); Jess Robinson: No Filter (Edfringe & Touring); Dillie Keane (UK Touring, OffBroadway, Australia, Sri Lanka); Dusty Limits (Edfringe, Festivals, Australia & Touring); Julie, Madly, Deeply (West End, Australia, Canada, Off-Broadway, UK Touring); Christine Bovill’s Piaf (Edfringe & Touring); A Touch Of Mrs Robinson (Edfringe & Touring); The Black Cat Cabaret (Crazy Coqs, Cafe De Paris & Touring); Sophie Tucker’s One Night Stand (The King’s Head).
Book your tickets online at liverpooltheatrefestival.com
Paulus (aka Paul L Martin) has been working in the world of variety entertainment for 30 years. At the age of just fifteen he curated his very first ‘variety show’ in aid of Leukaemia Research Fund. He moved to London and trained in musical theatre at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. He has performed in musicals, plays and on television but a constant and growing passion for cabaret, vaudeville, revue and music hall has dominated his career, whether it be as a performer, promoter, agent or producer. As an actor, Paulus has played Sylvia St. Croix in the UK premiere of the musical Ruthless for which he won Musical Stage’s ‘Best Actor in A Musical’ Award; was in the original cast of Beautiful and Damned choreographed by Craig RevelHorwood and created the role of Philip Salon for the Boy George musical Taboo in its workshop stages. On television, Paulus has judged look-alikes losing weight on the six episodes of Bigger Than… for Sky Living, mentored retired performers back into the industry for Mary Portas’ C4 programme Mary’s Silver Service (unaired episode) and appears Paulus
CAST
Recorded work includes: Songs for BBC R4’s The Now Show; Jess Robinson: Are You Ready? album; Stars In Your Ears Podcast; Roulston & Young: Songs For Cynics / Two Faced / La Poule Plombée albums; Dillie Keane: Hello Dillie album and DVD; Dusty Limits: Grin / Life & I Otheralbums.writing includes: Maxa The Most Assassinated Woman In The World (workshopped at Wilton’s Music Hall); Who Is Sinclair Nye? (Rosemary Branch); Cabaret Whore (Edfringe & Touring). Michael Roulston
Festival,TheatreLiverpool2022September11—August31airopentheinEntertainment
Liverpool Theatre Festival 2022 is dedicated to the memory of Baby Michael James who would have been celebrating his 21st Birthday this September.
Michael James was our daughter Leanne’s first child and our first Grandchild. You can imagine the family’s joy and expectations at the arrival of Michael. Sadly Michael was born with a terminal condition and we knew very quickly that he would not be with us for long. However Michael’s short life of only nine months brought so much happiness into our lives and made so many memories that he will never be forgotten. This year he would have celebrated his 21st birthday and we can only imagine what an amazing individual he would have become. During his short life he was surrounded by love, care and hope. To this day we think of Michael and smile! We as a family are delighted to help sponsor the LTF because we know that Michael would have loved going to and even being part of live theatre. We hope that people who attend the LTF will have an amazing time making memories that will last forever. This is especially so for the children who will attend. I know that Michael is looking down with his usual smile and watching the enjoyment and excitement that The Theatre Festival will bring.
Liverpool-based children’s charity KIND is this year’s official charity partner, which includes bucket collections at show performances.
Stephen Yip KIND Founder
Michael James
OFFICIAL CHARITY PARTNER www.kind.org.uk
HELEN FORRESTER’STOCROSSTHEMERSEY PULSE RECORDS LTD in association with BILL ELMS presents ‘The Theatrical Equivalent Of A Page Turner!’ The Stage ‘A Brilliant Play! Cheshire Today ‘Emotional & Powerful!’ British Theatre Guide ‘A Triumph! Liverpool Echo MORAGHANMARK FRANCISLYNN GLASSPOOLPARRY MURPHYJENNY TAYLORDANIEL FITZGERALDLYNNE HUDSONROB CARRUTHERSROY MCDONALDCHLOE UK PREMIERE TOUR DATES (NW) 06SEPTEMBER-11WIRRAL / Floral Pavilion 27 - 30 ST HELENS / Theatre Royal 01OCTOBER ST HELENS / Theatre Royal 08 - 09 WARRINGTON / Parr Hall 01NOVEMBER-04SOUTHPORT / The Atkinson 05 - 12 LIVERPOOL / Epstein Theatre twopencetocrossthemersey.com SCAN TO BOOK Hotel Partner
Could you be the change in a childrenEverychild’svulnerablelife?dayinLiverpool,anothertwoenterthecaresystem. We need foster carers for Liverpool children in the Liverpool City Region to support this ever growing need. The foster care community plays an active and essential role in changing the lives of vulnerable children. Our carers nurture and support young people, helping them shape a better, brighter future. ‘Fostering has changed my life. Look where I am now, happy’ Aiden Become part of our fostering family Scan the QR code to find out more or visit: www.nfa.co.uk/fostering-liverpool Or call: 0151 733 1217 for a conversation about caring. @NationalFostering @NFG_Fostering nfa_fostering
WHATS ON 13 NOV Jerry Sadowitz: Not for Anyone 14 NOV Rodrigo Marques 16 NOV Justin StretchMoorhouse:andThink 22 - 26 NOV Masquerade 27 NOV Christmas Crooners: Baby It’s Cold Outside 28 NOV Ballet Theatre UK: Beauty and the Beast 9 DEC - 1 JAN Goldilocks and the Three Bears 26 JAN New Purple Celebration: The Music of Prince 27 JAN We Three Kings: of Rock and Roll 23 - 24 FEB Chris McCausland: Speaky Blinder 1 OCT Sh*tfaced Shakespeare 2 OCT Austentatious 4 - 9 OCT Macbeth 10 OCT The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston 14 OCT Sean McLoughlin: So Be It 15 OCT Caravan 16 OCT The Best of Queen 21 - 30 OCT The Wizard of Oz 2 NOV Joe Black: Club Cataclysm 4 NOV The Haunting of Blaine Manor 5 - 12 NOV Twopence to Cross the Mersey 13 SEP Psychic Sally 14 SEP New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division and Manchester 15 SEP Sinderella 16 SEP Mark Watson: This Can’t Be It 22 SEP The Dolly Show 24 SEP Your Song: A Celebration of the Music of Elton John 25 SEP Mack the Knife: The Story of Bobby Darin 26 & 27 SEP Clement Attlee 29 SEP Spontaneous Potter: The Unofficial Improvised Musical 0844 888 991 | EPSTEINTHEATRE.CO.UK 2 NOV 4 - 9 OCT 22 - 26 NOV Joe Black CataclysmClub15SEP 9 DEC - 1 JAN 22 SEP 21 - 30 OCT 5 - 12 NOV 23 - 24 FEB ENTERTAINING LIVERPOOL SINCE 1911
INSIDE WAS THE BEST PLACE TO BE OUT “A TOUCHING, UPLIFTING STORY OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP” LIVERPOOL ECHO WRITTEN BY LAURA LEES DIRECTED BY JAMES BAKER BILL ELMS PRODUCTIONS presents TUE 22 - SAT 26 NOV 2022 0844 888 9991 • epsteintheatre.co.uk 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool L1 3DZ @EpsteinTheatre *Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
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