Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre has a packed programme of productions and performances to entertain audiences this autumn.
Among the music, concert and comedy attractions are several drama works, starting tomorrow with the previously-announced Joy Division 10th anniversary tour of New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division & Manchester.
Adult panto Tour is back on Thursday with Sinderella. Will Cinders make it to the ball with the help of her Fairy Drag Mother and the loveable Buttons, or will her wicked Step Mother Detox manage to stop her?
Post-war Labour leader Clement Attlee is the subject of the moving comedy-drama Clement Attlee (September 26-27), which coincides with Liverpool’s Labour Party Conference.
Then it’s time to grab your wands, broomsticks and owls and plunge into the world of Harry Potter as you’ve never seen it before courtesy of the hit, improvised wizarding play Spontaneous Potter: The Unofficial Improvised Parody which appears, or perhaps dematerialises, on September 29.
The Bard gets a hilarious makeover in Fringe phenomenon Sh*tfaced Shakespeare on October 1: it’s Macbeth as you have probably never seen it before, performed seriously but with one cast member – chosen in advance at random – on stage after four hours of drinking. The rest of the cast have to work round whoever it is…
There is more classical literature fun on October 2, courtesy of Regency outfit Austentatious. The improvised comedy conjures up a unique “lost” Jane Austen classic based on audience suggestion.
Shakespeare’s “Scottish play” returns from October 4-9, with Daniel Taylor Productions’ cast offering a straight run of the exciting drama, so don’t buy tickets for the wrong run of Macbeth by mistake (see above).
Half-term audiences can follow the Yellow Brick Road as Regal Entertainments presents The Wizard of Oz from October 21-30.
In The Haunting of Blaine Manor (November 4), American parapsychologist Doctor Roy Earle is invited to attend a seance in what is said to be the most haunted building in England. What could possibly go wrong?
Twopence to Cross the Mersey – which opened last week in New Brighton – returns to the Epstein from November 5-12 at the end of its 15-date tour.
Judy Garland and Liza Minelli return to the stage in Emma Dears’ musical production Judy & Liza on November 19, which tells the turbulent tale of the Hollywood stars against the backdrop of their infamous November 1964 London Palladium concert.
Laura Lees’ acclaimed play Masquerade arrives at the Epstein in a new incarnation from November 22-26. Directed by James Baker, the heart-warming tale of love and friendship transports audiences back to the 1980s and the secret Liverpool club of the same name.
On November 28, Ballet Theatre UK presents Beauty and the Beast to a classical score, while December brings the Epstein panto, this year Goldilocks and the Three Bears featuring David Tag (Hollyoaks) as the Ringmaster and Dame Mama G (Britain's Got Talent), from December 9 to January 1. It's a transfer of the highly popular panto that ran last Christmas at the St Helen's Theatre Royal.
More info and tickets here