Whats On In Liverpool
Epstein Theatre Turns Back The Clock For Premiere Of Liverpool Blitz Musical
Audiences at The Epstein Theatre will think they’ve walked into a time warp when they visit the theatre at the end of November!
The Hanover Street theatre will be taking a step back in time and transforming the venue back into Cranes Theatreas part of a Heritage Lottery Funded project – Celebrating the Epstein.
The Theatre has received £46,300.00 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to launch the project which focuses on the theatre’s history and the central role that it played in forming the city’s artistic heritage.
The Epstein has been entertaining audiences in Liverpool for 100 years. It has had several different names since it first opened as The Crane’s Music Hall in 1913. It soon became a space for local amateur theatre groups and went on to become Cranes Theatre. It then changed its name again to The Neptune Theatre to honour the city’s sea fairing tradition and then once more in 2012 to The Epstein Theatre in honour of Brian Epstein, the man who made The Beatles.
The Epstein Theatre will be turning back the clock to the 1940s just in time for the premiere of a new commemorative war-time musical – Liver Birdsong – The Liverpool Blitz Musical which opens onTuesday, 29th November and runs until Saturday, 3rd December 2016.
For the duration of the show, audiences arriving at the Epstein ,which will be renamed Cranes Theatre for the occasion, will be greeted by ushers in their 1940s uniforms and serenaded by bluegrass artistswhilst enjoying food and drink from the Forties including a glass of London Pride and authentic wartime sweets to munch on while they enjoy the show.
The Theatre has received £46,300.00 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to launch the project and felt that the premiere of the new Blitz Musical would be the perfect opportunity to explore the Theatre’s heritage and areencouraging the audience to participate by dressing in 1940s attire!
Liver Birdsong – The Liverpool Blitz Musical commemorates the 75th anniversary of The Blitz, and is brought to the stage by Birdsong Live Productions CIC.
The show is produced by Birdsong Live Productions CIC, who are father and daughter team Tony Bradley and Rebecca Myers. Liver Birdsong is their first joint venture into professional musical theatre, although each has a background in theatre, music or television.
The story of Liver Birdsong remembers The Blitz, when Liverpool was bombarded by the German Luftwaffe during World War II.
An emotionally charged and heart-warming musical, the production is packed with 18 brand new songs, delivered by a professional musical theatre company and a live band.
A talented cast and creative team have been brought together by Tony and Rebecca following months of auditions and searching for the right crew.
Liver Birdsong is written and produced by Tony Bradley, co-written by Rebecca Myers, directed by Jodie Marshall (A Mind Apart, Sheffield), with Epstein Theatre regular Alan Moore as musical director,and choreographed by Natalie Dignam.
The musical is set on the night of 28/29 November 1940, in the early phase of the Liverpool Blitz. The events of that night were, later described by Winston Churchill as “the worst single (civilian) incident of the war”. It involved a direct hit by a parachute bomb on Durning Road Air Raid Shelter near Edge Lane, which killed 180 people.
Although the production is entirely a work of fiction, it is based on the facts of that night and the first-hand experiences of women – much like the four ‘Liver birds’ in the show – from one of Britain’s largest wartime munitions factories.
Join the ‘Liver birds’ – Maggs Williams, Carla Evans, Daisy Mae Beech and ‘Cockney’ Lil Ford from Kirkby Munitions Factory – as they battle not only the Nazis but also their own threats, fears and jealousies. Will they overcome their troubles and find hope?
The cast features Kate McHenry (Maggs), Sophie Gaudie (Carla), Katie Burke (Daisy Mae) and Rachel Jones (Cockney’ Lil), with Corey Rumble (Hal Brandon), Tom Sentia (Chad Tyler), Michael Bailey (‘Red Ted’ Forsythe), Miles Walker (Lawrence Gale), Chloe Fay (Ira Jones), and Mia Molloy (Mrs Williams). They are joined by Natalie Dignam as the contemporary dancer, and Ben Keith as the narrator.
Theatre manager, Rebekah Pichilingi, said: “We have been busy researching the history of the Epstein which has had several different names since it first opened as The Crane’s Music Hall in 1913.
“At every point in its history the theatre has been an essential part of Liverpool’s creative scene and has left visitors from all over the world with countless happy and life enriching memories.
“Liver Birdsong tells the story of The Liverpool Blitz which gave us the perfect excuse to turn back time and transform the Epstein back into The Crane Theatre.
“We hope the audience will join in the spirit of the 1940s with their tea dresses, peplums, Zoot Suits and Victory Rolls!”
To book tickets call 0844 888 4411, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or book in person at the Epstein Theatre box office (open Monday to Thursday from 2pm to 6pm, or Friday and Saturday from 12pm to 6pm).
Facebook: /Liverbirdsong
Twitter: @LiverBirdsong
LISTING INFORMATION
LIVER BIRDSONG
Tuesday 29 November – 7.30pm
Wednesday 30 November – 2.30pm / 7.30pm
Thursday 1 December – 2.30pm / 7.30pm
Friday 2 December – 7.30pm
Saturday 3 December – 2.30pm / 7.30pm
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets from £15.50 – £24.50*
Opening night all seats £18.00. Midweek Mats all seats £15.00
Group Rates available
Book tickets by calling 0844 888 4411
Book tickets online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk
Book in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Monday-Thursday / 12pm-6pm Friday-Saturday)
*Tickets include a 50p restoration levy per booking
The Epstein Theatre
85 Hanover Street
Liverpool
L1 3DZ
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