Showing posts with label Epstein Theatre. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Epstein Theatre. Show all posts

Saturday 6 October 2018

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Pantomime at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool - December 2018

Heigh-ho, Heigh-Ho, it's off to the Epstein Theatre we go as the cast of LHK Productions' Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs came together this week to launch the show, which is on at the Hanover Street venue from Friday 7th December 2018 to Wednesday 2nd January 2019.

Cast members braved the cold to pose for pictures along The Strand - capturing Liverpool's beautiful and famous cityscape, before heading to The Epstein Theatre where press and VIP's got a sneak peek at what they can expect this Christmas.

Radio City 2's Claire Simmo, who stars at the Fairy, hosted the event - and was on hand to introduce her fellow cast members.

Photo credit: David Munn Photography
Leading the all-star cast is The Queen of Clean, How Clean is Your House? star Kim Woodburn as the Wicked Queen.

Television presenter and expert cleaner, Kim Woodburn is best known for presenting Channel 4 show How Clean in Your House? from 2003-2009, which also led to a Canadian version called Kim's Rude Awakenings from 2007-2009.

The television personality has also remained a household name with appearances on the ninth series of I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! finishing runner up in 2009, and entered the Celebrity Big Brother house as a housemate on the nineteenth series in 2017 where she made it to the final and finished in third place.

Britain's best loved and most entertaining medium, Derek Acorah, will be using his psychic ability to declare who is the fairest of them all as he appears as the Magic Mirror via the power of video projection.

The Liverpool born star is most notable for his work on British paranormal reality television series Most Haunted from 2002-2005. He has since starred in numerous tv shows including Derek Acorah's Quest for Guy Fawkes and Derek Acorah's Ghost Towns. He also competed in the twentieth series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2017 finishing in fourth place.

Britain's Got Talent star Lewis Pryor storms back on the Epstein stage after taking audiences on a highflying adventure to Neverland last Christmas as Peter Pan, who returns as Muddles. The young star finished 3rd place during the live finals of the 2016 series of the ITV show with dance troupe Boogie Storm.

Michael Chapman never fails to have audiences rolling in the aisles laughing and he is certain to keep everyone on their toes with his hilarious comedy antics as he makes a welcome return as Liverpool's favourite Dame.

New cast additions include Mia Molloy who returns to play Snow White after dazzling as Jill in Easter's Jack and the Beanstalk, and Liverpool actor Alex Patmore, who is currently playing Bobby in the UK tour of Cilla the Musical, will play Prince Charming.

During the afternoon guests were treated to a special performance from Mia Molloy and Lewis Pryor who sang their solos - wowing audiences with their vocals!

Producer Lee Kelly then made a very exciting announcement, revealing that he will be holding open auditions to find the hottest new talent for the senior dancer roles in the production. Further details about the auditions will be released in the coming weeks.

Lee said: "What a great way to officially start the countdown to Christmas! It has been a fantastic day bringing the cast together and it has got us all in the festive spirit and excited to bring the show to Liverpool audiences. Be sure to book your tickets and join us at the Epstein Theatre this Christmas - just 9 weeks and counting until we open!"

A timeless tale and one of the nation's favourite pantomimes, follow the story of the beautiful princess Snow White, as she tries to escape the clutches of her evil step mother, who's one aim is to become 'the fairest of them all'.

After fleeing the Kingdom to escape the Wicked Queen's evil plans, Snow White seeks refuge with seven dwarfs living in the forest.

Complete with wonderful songs and choreography as well as poisoned apples, magic mirrors and of course that much loved panto magic, Snow White will have audiences on the edge of their seat.

Heigh-ho, Heigh-ho, it's off to the Epstein we go this Christmas!

Please note: Kim Woodburn will not be appearing in any of the 10am performances. Derek Acorah will appear by the power of video projection and does not appear in person.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography
Listing Details

Show - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Dates - Friday 7th December 2018 to Wednesday 2nd January 2019
Times - Performance times vary so please visit The Epstein Theatre website for further details.
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ

Tickets -
Opening Night Ticket Offer: Friday 7th December - All tickets £13
Special Offer: Wednesday 26th December 5pm & Monday 31st December 5:30pm - All tickets £15.50

Sat and Sun performances and Monday 31st December 1pm, Tuesday 1st January & Wednesday 2nd January: Adult £19.50 / Concession £17.50 / Family £65

All other performances: Adult £18.50 / Concession £16.50 / Family £63

There are also a limited number of £11 tickets available on all performances from Friday 7th December to Monday 10th December.

*Tickets are subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

To book tickets you can ring the box office on the number below or visit the website.

Box Office - 0844 888 4411
Website - www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

Tickets can also be booked in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Mon-Thu & 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat)

Alternatively you can book tickets via TicketQuarter by calling 0844 8000 410 or visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk.

Disclosure: This is a press release from the Epstein Theatre. Details provided are believed to be correct at time of publishing, but are subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venue's own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Saturday 22 September 2018

Dates for your Diary - Bing Live! Coming to the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool in March 2019!

Calling all "Bingsters"! Bing and his friends are going on tour in the first ever Bing stage show! Bing Live! will visit Liverpool's Epstein Theatre on Tuesday 19th March to Wednesday 20th March as part of a major UK tour through to April 2019, and tickets are on-sale now!

Join Bing, Sula, Coco and Pando as they learn how to tell stories by pretending, dressing-up and singing songs. Flop and Amma are there to help, but in this magical world of make-believe things don't always go according to plan...

The CBeebies favourites are brought to life in a brand-new stage production full of fun, laughter, music and magical puppetry. Bing Live! is the perfect first theatre trip for pre-schoolers and their families.

Going to the theatre....it's a Bing thing!


Bing Live! is produced by Minor Entertainment (In the Night Garden Live) and directed by Will Tuckett, guest principal character artist of the Royal Ballet, whose production of Wind in the Willows won an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment in 2014.

The show will also bring together a first-class creative team. Bing Live! is adapted for the stage by Helen Eastman with costumes and puppet design by Tahra Zafar. As Head of Costume, Hair and Make-Up for the Olympic and Paralympic Opening and Closing Ceremonies staged in London 2012, Tahra managed the production of 23,000 costumes for all four Ceremonies. Her film projects include: Star Wars VII The Force Awakens, X Men First-Class, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and The Fifth Element and for television: In the Night Garden, Zingzillas and The Adventures of Abney and Teal.

The show will have music by Alex Silverman, sound by Rich Walsh and set design by Samuel Wyer. The cast of Bing Live are Mia Jerome, Michael Magennis, Hayley Murray, Will Palmer, Alice De Warrenne and Nia Walsh.

Since its launch on CBeebies, Bing has been a huge ratings hit and is the number one pre-school show on BBC iPlayer.

Celebrating the joyful, messy, reality of preschool life, Bing finds the big stories in the smallest moments that little ones and the grown-ups in their lives will recognise...whether it's dropping your ice-cream or losing your favourite toy.

The series has won an International Emmy Award in the Kids' Pre-School category in 2016, a Writer's Guild Award and a BAFTA nomination for Best Pre-School Series. The animated series, which saw Mark Rylance make his children's television debut voicing Flop, is produced by Acamar Films.

Andrew Collier, Creative Director of Minor Entertainment, said "We're thrilled to be bringing Bing to the stage - we know families throughout the UK love Bing as much as we do, and we can't wait to see children's faces light up when they meet him at the theatre for the first time."

Mikael Shields, CEO of Acamar Films and producer of Bing said: "Seeing Bing take a leap from the screen to the stage is hugely exciting for all of us at Acamar. We are thrilled to be working with Minor Entertainment to bring the 'Bing Live' shows to our young audience. Introducing Bing fans to possibly their first experience of theatre is a tremendous creative challenge and Minor has shown imaginative flair, exceptional attention to detail, and their passion for bringing preschool characters to life has been evident throughout our collaboration with them. We can't wait to watch the reaction from Bingsters to seeing Bing and Flop on stage next year."

Listing Details

Show - Bing Live!
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ
Date - Tuesday 19th to Wednesday 20th March 2019
Times - Tuesday 19th 1pm & 4pm / Wednesday 10am & 1pm
Tickets - Adults £18.50 / Children £16.50

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk* or in person at The Esptein Theatre Box Office from 12pm - 6pm Monday to Saturday.

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.


Disclaimer: Details provided are believed to be correct at time of writing, but are subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venue's own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Thursday 13 September 2018

Dates for your Diary - Guess How Much I Love You at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool - 16-17th October

The much-loved classic children's book, Guess How Much I Love You, will play across the UK this Autumn and visits Liverpool's Epstein Theatre on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th of October.

Following a West End run at the Arts Theatre and spring tour earlier this year, Selladoor Family and ABA International Touring UK announce the Autumn tour of the stage adaptation of this world-famous book, published by Walker Books - written by Sam McBratney and illustrated by Anita Jeram.

Join Little and Big Nutbrown Hare, from the best-selling Guess How Much I Love You and I Love You All Year Round collection, as they leap off the page and onto the stage in this magical journey through the seasons.

Watch and join in as Little and Big Nutbrown Hare settle down after a bedtime story and re-awaken to discover the delights and colours of each season as they compete to measure their love for each other in this timeless loveable story.

Cast includes Gemma Higgins as Little Nutbrown Hare, Daniel Harkin as Big Nutbrown Hare and Jessica Dives as Mother Nature.

Photo Credit: Barry Rivvett
Guess How Much I Love You is directed by Anna Fox, with music composed by Harry Sever and movement by Lucie Pankhurst. Sound design is by Yvonne Gilbert and lighting design by Charlie Morgan Jones. Explore this playful story of love and nature as it unfolds on stage through puppets, live music and interactive play for children aged 3 and up.

The family favourite is brought to life by Selladoor Family, the producers behind James and the Giant Peach, Seussical and The Owl And The Pussycat and ABA International Touring (UK) Ltd whose current tours include What the Ladybird HeardHairy Maclary and Friends, and Shark in the Park.

David Hutchinson Executive Creative Producer for Selladoor says "Following our short UAE tour in 2017 and a successful season in the West End and UK, we are delighted to bring Sam McBratney's beautiful story of friendship and discovery this Autumn, with Anita Jeram's beloved illustrations hopping from page to stage. Adapted faithfully from the household favourite book, Guess How Much I Love You is an affectionate, gentle and interactive story that both parents and children can enjoy together as the perfect introduction into live theatre."

You can find out more information on the following social media pages:

Facebook - www.facebook.com/guessuktour
Twitter - @GuessUKTour

Listing Details

Show - Guess How Much I Love You
Dates - Tuesday 16th October & Wednesday 17th October
Times - Tuesday 1:30pm & 4:30pm / Wednesday 11am & 1:30pm
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ
Tickets - Adults: £13.50, Children £12.50, Family Ticket £45

*Tickets are subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

To book tickets you can ring the box office on the number below or visit the website.

Box Office - 0844 888 4411
Website - www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

Tickets can also be booked in person at the theatre box office (12-6pm Monday to Saturday)

Disclaimer - Details provided are believed to be correct at time of writing but are of course subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venue's own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Wednesday 11 July 2018

Dates for your Diary - A Whole Host of Family Fun at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool

With the summer holidays fast approaching, The Epstein Theatre has a fantastic selection of exciting family entertainment with theatrical experiences that are certain to keep the whole family entertained throughout the school holidays and beyond!

On Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th July, the Liverpool based Theatre Company Cuckootales present an enchanting new play Pinocchio: The Boy Within. Set to an original musical underscore, the production is a modern retelling of a classic tale, which is not to be missed.

Join a tiny snail on an enormous adventure from Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th July as Olivier Award nominated Tall Stories presents their magical musical production, The Snail and the Whale.

Take a trip down the rabbit hole on Thursday 2nd and Friday 3rd August for an unforgettable retelling of Lewis Carroll's classic tale Alice in Wonderland. This panto-esque style show guarantees entertainment for the whole family.

Milkshake! Live "The Magic Storybook" takes audiences on a journey through the world's favourite fairytales on Sunday 5th August. Starring Milkshake! favourites; Bob the Builder, Little Princess, Noddy, Fireman Sam, Shimmer & Shine, Pip from Pip Ahoy!, Winnie and Wilbur, Wissper, Milkshake's very own Milkshake! Monkey and two Milkshake! presenters.


The family fun continues into the Autumn when critically acclaimed Scamp Theatre present Stick Man on Saturday 6th October. The award-winning production is packed full of puppetry, songs and live music.

How to Hide a Lion provides a magical adaptation of Helen Stephen's popular children's book on Sunday 14th October. See the story come to life with playful humour, dazzling puppets and jazz.

The timeless tale Guess How Much I Love You comes to the Epstein stage on Tuesday 16th and Wednesday 17th October. This family favourite is brought to life by Selladoor Family and guarantees feel good family theatre.

Heigh ho, heigh ho it's off to the Epstein we go this Christmas. It is never too early to grab your panto tickets, (oh no it isn't), and this year's festive offering from renowned LHK Productions is the fairest panto in all the land, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. With a star-studded cast to be announced very soon, it comes to the Epstein Theatre from Friday 7th December 2018 to Tuesday 1st January 2019.


Book your tickets in advance for this amazing array of family friendly theatre which is sure to sell out fast.

Listing Information

Pinocchio: The Boy Within
Date: Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th July.
Times: 23rd - 2pm & 6pm, 24th - 11am, 3pm & 7pm
Tickets: Standard £10, Concession £9, Family £35

The Snail and the Whale
Date: Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th July
Time: 25th at 4pm, 26th & 27th at 11am & 2pm
Tickets: Standard £14, Concession £12, Family £48

Alice in Wonderland
Date: Thursday 2nd & Friday 3rd August
Times: 2nd at 2:30pm, 3rd at 1pm & 5:30pm
Tickets: Standard £15, Concessions £13, Family £52

Milkshake! Live "The Magic Storybook"
Date: Sunday 5th August
Time: 12pm and 3:30pm
Tickets: Standard £15.50, Children £14, Family Ticket £56

Stick Man
Date: Saturday 6th October
Times: 1pm & 3:30pm
Tickets: Adult £14.50, Children £12.50, Family Ticket (2 adults & 2 children) £50

How to Hide a Lion
Date: Sunday 14th October
Time: 1pm
Tickets: Standard £14.50, Children £12.50, Family Ticket £50

Guess How Much I Love You
Date: Tuesday 16th & Wednesday 17th October
Time: 16th at 1:30pm & 4:30pm, 17th at 11am & 1:30pm
Tickets: Adults £13.50, Children £12.50, Family Ticket £45

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Date: Friday 7th December 2018 to Tuesday 1st January 2019
Times: Various
Tickets: From £11

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk* or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 12pm - 6pm Monday to Saturday.

* Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join their mailing list. Alternatively you can follow them on Facebook or Twitter using the following channels:

Facebook - www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre
Twitter - @EpsteinTheatre

Disclaimer: Details provided are correct at time of writing, however listings can be subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venue's own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Tuesday 3 April 2018

Jack and the Beanstalk at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool - A Review

We arrived at the Epstein Theatre yesterday afternoon after experiencing a very wet bank holiday journey to the venue. My daughter and I were very pleased to get inside the dry warmth of the theatre and took our seats in the stalls, just in time for the start of the show. The audience was full of excitement from both children and adults alike and we all sat in anticipation as the pantomime began.

LHK Productions Giant Easter panto of Jack & the Beanstalk features a wonderful cast that includes Ray Quinn as Jack, Claire Simmo as Fairy Moonbeam, Lewis Pryor as Silly Billy, Mia Molloy as Princess Jill, Lindzi Germain as Fleshcreep and the hilarious Michael Chapman as Dame Trott. Together they provide a highly entertaining show, which offers some excellent vocals, well choreographed dance routines and perfectly timed comedy throughout.

Ray Quinn stars in the leading role of Jack and several jokes were made throughout the panto that referred to his multi-talented skills. Ray is not only an incredible singer, but also an actor, dancer and ice skater. Apart from the ice skating, the audience were treated to excellent examples of his talents and it soon became apparent that he had been perfectly cast for the role of Jack. Ray Quinn exhibits such a friendly and likeable persona that his presence on stage was well received by audience members. All of his appearances during the show were performed with such confidence, that I think it would be quite impossible to not enjoy his wonderful portrayal of the character Jack.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Claire Simmo as Fairy Moonbeam provides Jack with a helping hand, ensuring that he has everything he needs to save the day! She excelled in this role and brought an element of magic and charm to the production. Although a familiar voice from Radio City's breakfast show, this was the first time I had actually seen her in theatre and was pleasantly surprised by her wonderful singing ability. Regularly accompanied by sparkles and pyrotechnics, her scripted rhyming lines, helped to build the perfect pantomime!

Mia Molloy stars as the beautiful Princess Jill who provided a beautiful rendition of the song 'This Is Me' which was just marvellous. Her voice was also well suited for duets with Jack (Ray Quinn) and both had an excellent stage presence when performing together.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

A special mention has to go to the hilarious Michael Chapman as Dame Trott, who had me in absolute stitches for the majority of the night. I had done a bit of research prior to the show and had seen some great reviews from some of his past performances, so I was excited to see if he could live up to my expectations.  The truth is, he far exceeded them, as even when not speaking on stage his facial expressions, dancing and costumes were just hysterical. So much so, that I struggled to take my eyes off him for the most part, with his dancing by Daisy the Cow being a particular highlight for both my daughter and I.

Dame Trott threw in plenty of innuendo for the adults in the audience and my daughter did ask on several occasions what I was laughing at. This is what makes the ideal pantomime though, something that can be enjoyed by all ages, with cleverly placed jokes that would simply go above a child's head, ensuring that us parents can have an excellent evening of entertainment too. Well done!

Michael Chapman not only stars in Jack & the Beanstalk but also wrote and directed the show too. He is clearly an extremely talented individual and I look forward to seeing him again in future productions.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Plenty of laughs were also provided by Silly Billy, who was played by Lewis Pryor. He became an instant hit with the children due to his high energy and enthusiasm. There was one part of the show where he was chased into the audience by Dame Trott and he climbed into our row of seats much to my daughters delight. His charm and wit made him instantly lovable and a fast paced, tricky musical number involving rap, helped to highlight his fantastic performance skills.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Of course no pantomime would be complete without a baddie and Jack and the Beanstalk is certainly no exception. Lindzi Germain plays the role of Fleshcreep, who is the evil accomplice to The Giant. Her powerful and assertive voice made her the perfect villain and she certainly encouraged many boos from the audience. Lindzi's musical performance of 'Evil' was brilliant and the well choreographed routine with the senior dancers, certainly helped set the scene for the wicked Giant's castle.

Both the senior and juvenile dancers all contributed enthusiastically to the show and it was lovely to see so many children enjoying their time on stage. I was also very impressed with both the sound and lighting as I could see and hear every cast member perfectly, which made the musical numbers very enjoyable to watch.

Overall we found Jack & the Beanstalk to be a fun, family-friendly pantomime that I would happily go and see again. The much loved fairy tale has been amended somewhat, in order to suit a pantomime version, however the basics of the traditional story are there and it works very well on stage. The show offers all of the much loved elements of a panto, with the closing applause demonstrating it's popularity amongst the audience. The show is taking place every day until Sunday 8th April and for further information or to book tickets, please see the listing details below.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Listing Details

Important Note: Ray Quinn will not be appearing in performances on the 6th, 7th and 8th of April.

Show - Jack and the Beanstalk
Dates - Daily until Sunday 8th April 2018
Times - Performance times vary so please visit The Epstein Theatre website for further details.
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ

Tickets - Adults £16.50 / Concessions £15.50 / Family £54
Groups - £14 each and 1 in 15 free.
There are also a limited amount of £11 tickets available on select performances.
*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

Box Office - 0844 888 4411
Website - www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

Tickets can also be booked in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Mon-Thu & 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat)

Alternatively you can book tickets via TicketQuarter by calling 0844 8000 410 or visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk.

*Disclaimer: We were provided with tickets for the press night, for the purpose of providing an honest review of the show. All opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. Photographs taken by David Munn Photography.


Saturday 10 March 2018

BAFTA-Winning CBeebies Duo Sarah & Duck - Live On Stage at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool

The enchanting world of CBeebies' hit animated series Sarah & Duck will be brought to life on The Epstein Theatre stage this May in a brand new theatrical adventure.

Featuring a host of wonderful characters from the BAFTA award-winning TV show, Sarah & Duck's Big Top Birthday will play at the Hanover Street venue on Tuesday 8th May.

Presented by MEI Theatrical, in association with Polka Theatre, join Sarah and Duck, along with all their favourite friends including The Ribbon Sisters, The Shallots, Flamingo and Umbrella, as they plan a circus-themed birthday party for the Scarf Lady in their garden. But when the weather turns windy and the big top is blown away, will Sarah and Duck be able to save the day?

Photo Credit: Pamela Raith
Told through a fantastic blend of inventive puppetry, charming storytelling and toe-tapping music, and featuring all the familiar voices from the CBeebies series including Roger Allam as the narrator and Lesley Nichol as Scarf Lady, Sarah and Duck's Big Top Birthday will take families on a magical theatrical adventure.

Following the gentle adventures of a wide-eyed, 7-year-old girl and her feathered best friend, Sarah & Duck has been a huge hit since its debut in 2013, winning a BAFTA for 'Best Pre-School Animation' in 2014 and regularly appearing in CBeebies' Top Ten programmes for viewers aged 4-15. Now in its third series, it is shown in over 100 countries around the world.

Sarah and Duck's Big Top Birthday is written by Peter Glanville, artistic director of Polka Theatre, and Sarah Gomes Harris, co-creator of Sarah & Duck. It is directed by Roman Stefanski with set and puppet design by Laura McEwen. Sarah & Duck is a Karrot Entertainment production for CBeebies UK and BBC Worldwide.

The show is recommend for children aged 3-6.

Listing Details

Show - Sarah & Duck's Big Top Birthday
Dates - Tuesday 8th May
Times - 1pm & 3pm
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ

Tickets - Standard £14.50 / Child £12.50 / Family £50

To book tickets please call the Box Office on 0844 888 4411* or visit the website at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk* Alternatively tickets can also be booked in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Mon-Thu & 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat).

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

Photo Credit: Pamela Raith

Friday 2 March 2018

Dates for your Diary - LHK Youth Theatre present A Night of Musicals at The Epstein Theatre on 11th-12th March

LHK Youth Theatre are back at The Epstein Theatre next week with A Night of Musicals on Sunday 11th and Monday the 12th of March.

The talented young stars from Liverpool's renowned youth theatre company are bringing to life all the hits from some of the biggest musicals around including Shrek and Mamma Mia, in a show that promises to be a fantastic production for the whole family. Become a Dancing Queen for the night and sing, dance and laugh along to what will be an incredible performance by this highly talented cast.

Be sure to catch some of the best young talent around as these stars in the making perform a selection of the greatest and most loved musical numbers.

LHK Youth Theatre is run by LHK Productions - one of the most acclaimed and unique theatre and pantomime production companies in the UK.

Formed in 2005, LHK Productions has quickly put its stamp on the UK's theatre scene hosting countless shows in some of the biggest and most prestigious venues in the country.

LHK Productions Managing Director, Lee Kelly said: "All of the cast have been working incredibly hard on this production. I am extremely proud of each and every one of them, and they should be proud of themselves for everything they have accomplished. They are all superstars and when the show opens next week I am sure audiences of Liverpool will agree!"

A Night of Musicals comes to The Epstein Theatre on Sunday 11th and Monday 12th March and tickets are on sale now.

Listing Details

Show - A Night of Musicals
Dates - Sunday 11th March & Monday 12th March
Times - 7:30pm
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ

Tickets - Standard £16 / Concessions £15

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

Box Office - 0844 888 4411
Website - www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

Tickets can also be booked in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Mon-Thu & 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat)


Tuesday 16 January 2018

Dates for your Diary - Jack & the Beanstalk at The Epstein Theatre starring Ray Quinn

Fe-fi-fo-fum - get ready for some panto fun! This GIANT panto will be coming to the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool this Easter and LHK productions have now announced that Liverpool's very own Ray Quinn, will be leading the all-star cast.

This egg-cellent production will be scaling new heights at The Epstein Theatre from Thursday 29th March to Sunday 8th April and tickets are on-sale now. With a beanstalk reaching the heavens, golden geese and hungry giants, this show really is too big to miss.

Ray is a multi-talented singer, dancer and actor, who first came to attention in 2000 playing Anthony Murray on Channel 4's Brookside, and won the hearts of the nation in 2006 on ITV's The X Factor where he went all the way to the final, finishing runner-up. Following the success of The X-Factor, Ray's debut album Doing It My Way entered the charts at number 1, selling over 300,000 copies without even releasing a single.

He then skated to victory not once, but twice on the ITV show Dancing on Ice as Series 4 champion in 2009, and then again on the All Stars series in 2014. Ray is also no stranger to the theatre stage, having appeared in some of the biggest hit shows, including Grease, Dirty Dancing and Legally Blonde. Most recently he starred as Glen, in the UK tour of the smash hit musical The Wedding Singer.

On joining the cast, Ray Quinn said: "I am absolutely thrilled to be coming home to Liverpool and appearing on The Epstein stage. There is no better feeling than playing to an audience in your home town! Panto is great fun, I always have a great time and I can't wait to be back. I'll see you at Easter Liverpool!"

LHK Productions Managing Director Lee Kelly added: We are delighted to have cast Ray as Jack for our Easter panto. He is a local lad, audiences from Liverpool know and love him! He is a true professional, and has appeared in some of the UK's biggest stage shows, so I know he will be a great addition to the show!"

The full cast who will be joining Ray to tell this epic tale will be announced in the coming months, so watch this space!

Important Note: Ray Quinn will not be appearing in the show on the 6th,7th & 8th of April.

Listing Details

Show - Jack and the Beanstalk
Dates - Thursday 29th March to Sunday 8th April
Times - Performance times vary so please visit The Epstein Theatre website for further details.
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ

Tickets - Adults £16.50 / Concessions £15.50 / Family £54
Groups - £14 each and 1 in 15 free.
There are also a limited amount of £11 tickets available on select performances.
*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

Box Office - 0844 888 4411
Website - www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

Tickets can also be booked in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Mon-Thu & 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat)

Alternatively you can book tickets via TicketQuarter by calling 0844 8000 410 or visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk.

Wednesday 10 January 2018

Dates for your Diary - Crafty's Creepy Castle at The Epstein Theatre & Competition

There is always plenty going on in Liverpool to keep families entertained during the school holidays and this upcoming February Half Term will be no exception. On Saturday 10th February, Crafty's Creepy Castle will be heading to the stage of the Epstein Theatre with a fun, spooky and musical adventure!

Brought to audiences by Honalee Media, help Crafty the Crow and Sally the Scarecrow solve the mystery of the castle's ghostly goings on, hunt for the hidden treasure and find out why Pirate Harry is making things go bump in the night!

There will also be an opportunity after the show for a Meet & Greet with the cast, and every child will receive a special present from puppet star Crafty the Crow.


The team from Honalee Media have a proven track record in top quality children's entertainment. Marty MacDonald's Farm has been a huge hit for almost five years of national tours and features the voice of Cbeebies' Justin Fletcher AKA Mr Tumble as one of the farm's puppet characters Pongo the Pig. There has also been Easter Bunny's Eggs-ellent Adventure, and their sell out Santa Shows!

Writer Martin Parsons explains: "Crafty's Creepy Castle is an interactive musical mystery for all the family, especially 2-7 years old, with the emphasis on spooky fun rather than proper scares - our castle may be creepy but it's more funny than scary and it's great to be writing the further adventures of the characters from Marty MacDonald's Farm. This time they're joined by Pirate Harry, so children who love a swashbuckling pirate story won't be disappointed!"

Producer Kate Ashmead is also looking forward to seeing some of the audience dressed up: "Children love fancy dress, so if they (and the grown-ups!) want to come in their most frightening costumes we would love to see them - in fact, they can help scare away Pirate Harry in the story too!"

The music for the production is written by acclaimed children's composer Barrie Bignold (Justin's House, Gigglebiz, The Sooty Show) and includes children's favourites such as Ghostbusters; Dingle, Dangle Scarecrow; The Hokey Cokey; Hickory Dickory Dock; Row, Row, Row Your Boat; I Hear Thunder; and many more.

Audiences are in store for some (not very!) frightening fun - in this happy, action packed adventure.


Listing Details

Show - Crafty's Creepy Castle
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ
Date - Saturday 10th February
Time - 2pm
Ticket Prices - £13*
Box Office - 0844 888 4411
Website - www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

We also have a fantastic competition for our readers, to give you the chance to win a family ticket to see Crafty's Creepy Castle at The Epstein Theatre on Saturday 10th February. If you would like to enter, then please read the terms and conditions & submit your entry using the gleam form below. Good Luck!

Win a Family Ticket to see Crafty's Creepy Castle at The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool

Terms & Conditions
  • There is 1 (one) prize of a family ticket to the 2pm performance on Saturday 10th February 2018 at The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ
  • A family ticket is for 2 adults and 2 children, or alternatively 1 adult and 3 children.
  • The winner shall be required to collect their family ticket from the box office, prior to the show.
  • Tickets are non-transferable and there is no cash alternative.
  • There will be no contribution made towards travel.
  • Tickets are valid for the date/time/venue specified only and cannot be used on an alternative date or time, or at a different venue.
  • Entry is open to UK residents aged 18 years or older.
  • Competition closes on Saturday 3rd February at 12 noon. The winner shall be drawn at random and contacted by email within two working days.
  • Due to the time restrictive nature of the prize, the winner shall have 48 hours to reply to the email to confirm their acceptance of the prize, before another entrant from the remaining eligible entrants is drawn.
  • No bulk or third party entries.
  • The winners details shall be shared with the promoter, for the purpose of prize fulfilment.

Tuesday 17 October 2017

Dates for your Diary - Peter Pan at the Epstein Theatre

The swashbuckling adventure of LHK Productions' panto Peter Pan, comes to the Epstein Theatre this Christmas from Friday 8th December to Monday 1st January 2018.

Children and adults alike will be whisked away on a sensational journey to Neverland this Christmas. With a sprinkle of fairy dust from Tinkerbell, join Peter, Wendy and The Lost Boys on an adventure full of Pirates, Mermaids, Indians and a devious tick-tocking croc, in this enchanting story of the boy who never grew up.

Headlining Peter Pan is Another Level's Dane Bowers, who will have audiences hooked this festive season as Captain Hook. Dane began his career as a member of Another Level, one of the most successful boy bands of the 90's - achieving several platinum selling albums and singles. He has also made appearances on Celebrity Big Brother, Celebrity Come Dine with Me and ITV's The Big Reunion, which saw him form a supergroup boy band with the likes of Gareth Gates.

Photo credit: David Munn Photography

Set to take audiences by storm is Liverpool's own Lewis Pryor who will be playing the lead role of Peter Pan. Lewis appeared in the 2016 series of Britain's Got Talent, finishing 3rd place in the Live Finals as a member of dance troupe Boogie Storm. Supporting Peter Pan will be Radio City 2's Claire Simmo, starring as the lovable Tinkerbell.

No LHK Production would be complete without everyone's favourite dame, Michael Chapman, who returns for 2017 as the Darling Family Cook and is guaranteed to bring his usual hysterical capers and comedy antics. New cast additions also include the incredibly talented Joanne Harper as Wendy Darling and local performer Georgia Austin as Tiger Lily.

As ever, audiences can expect a huge production from LHK Productions with dazzling sets, sparkling costumes, laugh-a-minute scripts, brilliant songs and exquisite trade-mark choreography that everyone has come to know and love from Liverpool's acclaimed panto production company!

Listing Details

Dates - Friday 8th December 2017 to Monday 1st January 2018
Venue - The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ
Times - Times vary, please visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk for more information.

Tickets
Opening night ticket offer: Friday 8th December all tickets £13
Special Offer: Tuesday 26th December 5pm & Sunday 31st December 5:30pm all tickets £15
Sat & Sun performances and Monday 1st January (excluding 31/12 5:30pm performance): Adult £19/ Concession £17/ Family £63
All other performances: Adult £18/ Concession £16/ Family £59
Limited number of £11 tickets available on all performances (except Fri 8th Dec 7pm, Tue 26th Dec 5pm and Sun 31st Dec 5:30pm).

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

How to Book

Call 0844 888 4411, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or book in person at the theatre box office (open 2pm-6pm Mon-Thu & 12pm-6pm Fri-Sat).

Alternatively you can book via ticketquarter on 0844 8000 410 or visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk

Disclaimer: Information correct at time of writing, but can be subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venues own website to obtain the most up to date information.

Friday 19 May 2017

Milkshake! Live Open the Pages of 'The Magic Storybook' at the Epstein Theatre


There's just over two weeks to go until Milkshake! Live, The Magic Storybook comes to Liverpool's Epstein Theatre just in time to entertain our little Epsteinies over the school half term holidays.

Milkshake! Live, The Magic Storybook is the fourth nationwide live tour from Channel 5's Milkshake! It comes to Liverpool on Friday 2nd June with two fun filled, family friendly performances at 12pm and 4pm.

The show stars Milkshake! favourites Bob the Builder, Little Princess, Noddy, Toyland Detective, Fireman Sam, Shimmer and Shine, Pip Ahoy!, Winnie and Wilbur, Wissper, as well as Milkshake!'s very own Milkshake! Monkey, and two Milkshake! presenters at every show. It will take audiences on a journey through their favourite fairy tales including much-loved stories that will be familiar for everyone - young and old - with lots of music, singing and dancing.

Milkshake! presenter and director Derek Moran said: "We cannot wait to be back touring the country with our brand-new show, The Magic Storybook. It's a magical show full of audience participation. The Milkshake audience will love the classic fairytale storylines, the songs and seeing lots of their favourite Milkshake! characters live on stage."

"It's incredibly important that we are able to take Milkshake! to our audiences around the UK so that everyone can have the opportunity to experience the brand in an immersive way," added Sarah Muller, Head of Children's, Channel 5.

"Through our live tours, we can give families a Milkshake event that they won't find anywhere else, one where they can meet their favourite characters and presenters whilst enjoying a brilliant family day out."

Theatre manager, Rebekah Pichilingi, said: "We are looking forward to welcoming the Milkshake" Team for a day of guaranteed family fun."

UK families can find out more about Milkshake! Live 'The Magic Storybook' by visiting facebook.com/milkshakelive or by following the tour on twitter @milkshaketour or Instagram @Milkshakelive.

Show Listings are as follows:

Milkshake! The Magic Storybook
Date: Friday 2nd June
Time: 12pm and 4pm
Tickets: Adults £15, Concessions £13.50, Family ticket (2 Adults, 2 Concessions £54).

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk * or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 2pm-6pm Monday to Thursday and 12pm-6pm Friday to Saturday.

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket restoration levy.

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join their mailing list. You can also follow on facebook www.facebook.com/epsteintheatre and twitter @EpsteinTheatre.




Sunday 12 March 2017

The Tiger Who Came to Tea - Epstein Theatre Preview & Competition

My children are huge fans of books, and they all have their own treasured stories that they enjoy to read again and again. Some stories however span several generations, and books that were once my favourite as a child, are now also popular with my own children, which is really lovely to see.

A prime example of this is the wonderful tale of The Tiger Who Came to Tea, which has been a firm family favourite in our household, and I was very pleased to hear, that this lovely story has been adapted into a musical play that is embarking on a major UK tour.

The truly magical Olivier Award nominated West End production opens on Thursday 30th March at the Epstein Theatre, Liverpool for a three day run. It has been adapted and directed by David Wood OBE, and Judith Kerr's ever popular tale, The Tiger Who Came to Tea, is the ideal introduction to theatre for children aged three plus and the perfect treat for the whole family.

Illustrations copyright © Kerr-Kneale Productions Ltd 1968

When Sophie and her Mummy welcome the hungry Tiger to Tea, he proceeds to eat all the sandwiches, buns, biscuits and more. He even manages to drink all the water in the tap! What will Sophie's Daddy say when he gets home?

The doorbell rings just as Sophie and her Mummy are sitting down to tea. Who could it possibly be?
What they certainly don’t expect to see at the door is a big furry, stripy tiger!

Join the Tiger, Sophie, and her Mummy and Daddy, in this musical slice of teatime mayhem with sing-a-long songs, oodles of magic, and interactive fun.

David Wood is undisputedly the country’s leading writer and director of plays and musicals for children, whose many successes include: The Gingerbread Man, Guess How Much I Love You, eight Roald Dahl adaptations including West End hits The BFG, The Witches and George’s Marvellous Medicine; and the Olivier Award winning Goodnight Mister Tom.

If you would love to take the opportunity to see this wonderful production then the listing details are as follows:

The Tiger Who Came to Tea
Venue: The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ
Dates: Thursday 30th March to Saturday 1st April
Performance Times: Thursday 1:30pm, Friday 10:30am & 1:30pm, Saturday 11am & 2pm.

Ticket prices: £13.50 per ticket, or £11 per ticket for groups of 10+. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

Box Office: 0844 888 4411

The show has a running time of 55 minutes with no interval, and is recommended as being suitable for children age 3+.

A trailer for the show can also be found here: www.TigersTeaLive.com

Competition
To celebrate The Tiger Who Came to Tea production visiting the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool on the 30th March to 1st April, I have one copy of the book to give away to a lucky reader. Please enter using the Gleam form below:

The Tiger Who Came to Tea Book Competition

Terms and Conditions: 1 (One) person shall be selected at random from all entries to win 1 (One) copy of The Tiger Who Came to Tea book. This shall be sent directly to the winner from the promoter. Please allow up to 28 days for delivery. Open to UK entrants only. No bulk/third party entries. Competition closes on Friday 24th March and the winner shall be notified within 3 days of competition closing date. The winner will then have 14 days to reply to the winning notification to confirm acceptance of the prize.

Illustrations copyright © Kerr-Kneale Productions Ltd 1968

Friday 10 February 2017

What's On in Liverpool this February Half Term?

If you are a regular visitor to the blog, you will know that Liverpool is one of my favourite cities, as you can always be sure that there is plenty to do to keep the children occupied during the school holidays and this February half term is no exception.

Here is a round up of some attractions and shows that are available to visit during the February Half Term:

The Narnia Experience


The Narnia Experience has returned to St George's Hall following its sell-out run back in 2013. The critically acclaimed walk-through experience is open from the 10th February to the 25th February and tickets are now on sale for this fabulous event.

Visitors will be invited to step through the enchanted wardrobe where they will discover a wintery forest scene and whisked off to the magical land of Narnia.

The Great Hall will be beautifully transformed as visitors go on a journey through the White Forest, and across the land of Narnia, in this large-scale, immersive and interactive trail. There will also be the opportunity to meet your favourite characters along the way including Mr Tumnus, Mrs Beaver and The White Witch.

St George's Hall General Manager Alan Smith said: “We are delighted to welcome back the team at In Another Place, their previous productions of Narnia and Alice Experience were incredibly well received by the public. The creativity and vision in their set designs and the characters they bring to life are always astounding. I would definitely recommend booking fast as I imagine this to be another sell-out!”

Tickets are available to purchase online through Ticketquarter and are available at various prices which are:

Mondays/Tuesdays - Adults £8 and Children £6
Wednesdays/Thursday - Adults £10 and Children £7
Fridays/Saturdays - Adults £13 and Children £10
Friday 10th February - Adults £8 and Children £6
Tuesday 21st February from 6pm - Adults £8 and Children £6

There will also be 4 Autism friendly performances on Tuesday 21st February between 6:15pm - 7pm which have been specifically designed to welcome visitors who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment. A BSL performance will also be available at 7:30pm on Saturday 19th February.

This event is ideal for families, though is not recommended for under 3's. The experience should last approximately 90 minutes.


Superbooty at The Epstein Theatre


SuperBooty is a fun-filled show for all the family which tells the story of a brand-new superhero we can all relate to - an ordinary girl with an extraordinary gift. It is a brand new musical comedy brought to you by The Epstein Theatre's very own panto dame, Michael Chapman.

Boasting a fantastic cast including Jordan 'Weekender' Davies, Boogie Storm's Lewis Pryor, Liverpool Singing Sensation Hayley Hampson, BBC's 'Young Dancer of the Year' finalist, and the award winning Anamal Dance Company from Hoylake, this is a show that promises to kick some serious booty!

The audience can look forward to watching crazy characters literally flying across the stage, lots of daft jokes and world class dancing provided by Harry Popper and Anamal Dance Company! There is also some very funky music courtesy of Michael and Danny Smith, the musical director.

To book tickets call 0844 888 4411, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk or book in person at the theatre box office (open 2-6pm Mon-Thu, 12-6 Fri-Sat).

The show runs from Friday 17th February - Sunday 19th February, and performance times are as follows:
Friday 17th February 7pm
Saturday 18th February 2pm and 7pm
Sunday 19th February 2pm and 6pm

Tickets cost £17 with concessions at £15.
*All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.



Monstersaurus


Bring your little monsters to the Epstein Theatre for an afternoon of magic and mayhem on Tuesday 21st February when Big Wooden Horse present...Monstersaurus!

This brand new show from the creators of Aliens Love Underpants is monstrously good! Follow the young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of wacky inventions and incredible monsters, but now he has made them all, how is he going to get rid of them?

This energetic show full of thrills and spills, magic and mayhem will delight the whole family - with original music and plenty of audience participation.

The show runs for 50 minutes and is suitable for children aged 3 and over. Ticket details are as follows:

Tuesday 21st February 2017 - £13.50* per ticket or a family ticket is available for £43*.

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411 or go online to www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk. Alternatively you can purchase tickets in person at The Epstein Theatre box office from 2pm-6pm Monday to Thursday, and 12pm-6pm Friday to Saturday.

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

The Sorcerer's Apprentice



This brand-new adaptation of the timeless tale The Sorcerer's Apprentice will be staged at The Epstein Theatre on Wednesday 22nd February.

Brought to life by the brilliant Blunderbus Theatre Company, the show tells the story of Charlie Hubble, a little boy with a very big dream - he wants to be a world class magician. So, he saves up all his pocket money to buy The Big Book of Magic for Trainee Magicians.

He set's off to Mr Zacoor's Toy Shop to buy his spellbook. But Mr Zacoor is no ordinary shopkeeper, he is a real-life sorcerer! And he has a very special job for Charlie....

Little people aged three to seven will love this delightful new show which comes to life with an irresistable blend of music, puppetry and storytelling. There's also an enchanting toy shop setting filled with all sorts of magical surprises.

Ticket details are as follows:

Wednesday 22nd February 2017 with two shows available at 11:30am and 2pm - £11* per ticket or a family ticket (2 adults & 2 children) is available for £40*.

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411 or go online to www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk. Alternatively you can purchase tickets in person at The Epstein Theatre box office from 2pm-6pm Monday to Thursday, and 12pm-6pm Friday to Saturday.

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy.

The World Museum



If you are thinking of attending one of the above shows or attractions, then why not make it a full day out by also visiting the fabulous World Museum located on William Brown street which is only a short walk away from Liverpool's Lime Street station.

This is my favourite place to visit whilst in Liverpool,with an extensive array of exhibits and hands on activities to fascinate the whole family. My children absolutely love visiting The World Museum and always manage to find something new to see and learn about.

Admission is free which makes it a low cost enjoyable day out, which will also provide you with a fantastic learning experience.

It is also extremely baby & child friendly with baby changing facilities on levels 2, 3, 4 and 5, a pram storage area, lifts, an indoor picnic room, a cafe with staff that will be happy to warm bottles, highchairs which are available on request, and a children's menu. The World Museum also encourages and supports breast feeding.

The World Museum is open between the hours of 10am to 5pm Monday to Sunday and at present there is also a fascinating exhibit which explores Ancient Egyptian animal mummies! This exhibit is available until the 26th February.

If you would like to find out more then please visit their website here: World Museum Liverpool



Disclaimer - Dates and ticket prices correct at time of writing.