Liverpool Theatre Festival returns in July and organisers have revealed details of nine family shows aimed at children during the school summer holidays. Tony McDonough reports

 

Organisers of Liverpool Theatre Festival have released details of nine family shows that will be staged as part of this year’s 11-day extravaganza.

Liverpool Theatre Festival was created by Liverpool theatre producer Bill Elms, who has worked in the theatre industry for more than 30 years. It was started after indoor venues were forced to close down during the pandemic.

However, the event proved such a hit that it has now become a permanent fixture in the city’s cultural calendar. This year it takes place at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church and LBN published details of the main event back in April. This year it will offer 24 performances.

The event usually takes place in September, but this year it’s been brought forward. Spanning 11 days, it will play its part in entertaining children of all ages during the school summer holidays.

Little LTF will run from Tuesday, October 3, to Sunday, October 8. Performances will be staged within the more intimate marquee at St Luke’s.

The nine-strong line-up of family shows include specially commissioned new shows The Oogy Boogy Man and Fred The Musical, as well as The Magic Bookmark With Mama G, Magic Gareth: Level Up!, Rubbish Romeo And Juliet, The Monkey With No Bum, Shout! The Mod Musical, Dame Fanny & Her Fabulous Friends, and The Tempest.

This year’s festival partners are Edge Hill University, Morecrofts Solicitors, Bill Elms Associates and Ticket Quarter.

This project is part-funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund with the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority as the lead authority. Along with Liverpool City Council and Culture Liverpool.

Producer and artistic director Bill Elms said: “Introducing youngsters to live theatre and making them feel welcome has been instrumental since we launched Liverpool Theatre Festival. 

 

 

“They are the performers, writers, and creatives of the future – so they play a vital role when planning an event like this.

“This year’s festival takes place at the start of the school summer holidays. This new date provides the perfect opportunity for families to experience the event and for youngsters to catch-up with their friends during the break.

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“This is the perfect introduction to experience live performance – it’s outdoors in one of Liverpool’s iconic venues, most shows are one hour, and lots of fun is guaranteed. We’ve also tried to make the shows affordable.”

Visit www.liverpooltheatrefestival.com for the latest news updates. There are still opportunities for businesses to support the event as a partner or sponsor. To find out more contact Bill Elms by emailing bill@billelms.com

Full family programme is:

THE OOGY BOOGY MAN 

Date: Friday 21 July

Time: 2.30pm

Tickets: £15 / Children £13

Genre / Audience: Family | 6+

 

FRED THE MUSICAL 

Date: Sunday 23 July

Times: 11.30am / 1.30pm

Tickets: £14 / Children £12

Genre / Audience: Theatre | 3+

 

THE MAGIC BOOKMARK WITH MAMA G 

Date: Monday 24 July

Time: 1.30pm

Tickets: £14 / Children £10

Genre / Audience: Family | 4+

 

MAGIC GARETH: LEVEL UP! 

Date: Wednesday 26 July

Time: 1.30pm

Tickets: £12 / Children £10

Genre / Audience: Family | 5+

 

RUBBISH ROMEO AND JULIET 

Date: Thursday 27 July

Time: 1.30pm

Tickets: £14 / Children £12

Genre / Audience: Family | 5+

 

THE MONKEY WITH NO BUM 

Date: Friday 28 July

Time: 11.30am / 1.30pm

Tickets: £14 / Children £12

Genre / Audience: Family | 3+

 

SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL 

Date: Saturday 29 July

Time: 2.30pm

Tickets: £18

Genre / Audience: Family | 10+

 

DAME FANNY & HER FABULOUS FRIENDS 

Date: Sunday 30 July

Time: 12pm

Tickets: £12 / Children £10

Genre / Audience: Family | 6+

 

THE TEMPEST BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE 

Date: Sunday 30 July

Time: 3pm

Tickets: £14 / Children £12

Genre / Audience: Family | 9+