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TONY! The Tony Blair Rock Opera
Liverpool PlayhouseIf you’ve ever wondered what would happen if you crossed The Book of Mormon with Spitting Image, and then added a smidge of Harry Hill’s TV Burp insanity, then Tony! The Tony Blair Rock Opera has the answer! Telling the story of former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s rise to power, and his transformation from pop-rock hippy front man of Ugly Rumours to a warmongering multimillionaire, this hilarious musical comedy is written by Harry Hill and Steve Brown.
Mersey Tunnel Tour
Mersey TravelHidden in plain sight is a unique way to experience Liverpool; from the underground! For just £10 per person, Mersey Travel offer a unique tour of the Queensway Tunnel which runs under the River Mersey and connects Liverpool and Birkenhead together. Lasting approximately 2 hours and limited to 20 people at a time, the tour takes in the original control room, giant ventilation fans, the rescue areas underneath the roadway, a section of the Old George Dock, and even out onto a gangway of the tunnel whilst cars are driving through.
I,Daniel Blake
Liverpool PlayhouseIf you have never been in a theatre where the end of the show is met by massive amounts of tears by the audience and a standing ovation for a phenomenal cast, then you probably haven’t been to watch I, Daniel Blake. Based on the Ken Loach directed film, this stage production has been adapted by Dave Johns who starred in the original film as the titular character, and is a co-production between tiny dragon Productions andEnglish Touring Theatre, in association with Northern Stage.
The Crown Jewels
The LowryBased on the true story of 17th Century Irish Rebel Thomas Blood (Aiden McArdle), and his attempt to steal The Crown Jewels from King Charles II (Al Murray), a play written by the person behind Men Behaving Badly and featuring some of Britain’s most critically acclaimed comedy performers should, in theory, result in an outstanding stage show full of satire and humour. In reality, this production is the antithesis of this.
Jesus Christ Superstar
Palace TheatreJesus Christ Superstar is arguable the original rock musical. Telling the story of the final days of Jesus, the sung through musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice hasn’t toured for a number of years, but seems to go through a revival every decade. This revival was directed by Timothy Sheader in his capacity as Artistic Director of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre where this production originated, and where it won an Olivier Award for Best Musical Revival in 2017.
Cuckoo
Liverpool Everyman TheatreBirkenhead born playwright Michael Wynne has a Midas Touch when it comes to creating thought provoking plays that perfectly encapsulate Merseyside family life. His latest offering Cuckoo is absolutely no exception. Created in partnership with the Royal Court Theatre London, BAFTA and Olivier Award winner Wynne has created a dark comedy that showcases multi-generational family dynamics, the different ways of coping in an unpredictable world, and the different responses people have to societal issues.
42nd Street
Liverpool EmpireTapping it’s way into Liverpool for a limited time, the UK and Ireland tour of 42nd Street brought Depression-era Broadway glamour in a way that only this classical musical within a musical can. Based on a 1933 film, which itself is based on an earlier novel, 42nd Street as a stage show originated in the 1980’s and features well-known musical numbers such as We’re In The Money, Keep Young And Beautiful, and the eponymous 42nd Street.
Old Dock Tour
Liverpool Maritime MuseumIf you have ever been shopping at Liverpool One, you may have noticed that in between the Starbucks and John Lewis is a viewpoint down into the old dock that the entire shopping centre is built on. But did you know that you can go on a full tour of the remaining dock with Liverpool Maritime Museum? The tour tells the story of the world’s first commercial enclosed wet dock, and the impact that this had on the development of the city of Liverpool.
Macbeth
Shakespeare North PlayhouseCo-produced by English Touring Theatre, Northern Stage, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, this contemporary production of Shakespeare’s classic Macbeth is not only unafraid to provocatively subvert the genre of the play, but to also rearrange the scenes to create a powerful stage show that mirrors the political landscape of modern Britain. This fresh perspective of is a commendable modernisation, which director Richard Twyman has ensured still honours the Scottish roots of the original play.