Post by Citywise Sheriff on Apr 28, 2006 9:04:05 GMT -1
View the trailer here... www.jerryspringertheopera.com/trailer/
Summer may be quiet season for theatres, but there’s still plenty happening on Liverpool’s stages throughout June and July. With the Everyman and Playhouse both closed for the summer, attention switches to The Empire and Unity theatres.
Jerry Springer: The Opera is probably the most notorious stage show currently on tour anywhere in the country and, from June 5th – 10th, makes a stop at The Empire. When the show was transmitted on BBC2 in January this year it was the subject of a record-breaking 63,000 complaints (although 55,000 of these were made before the show had even been broadcast) and The Christian Institute attempted to bring Blasphemy charges against the BBC. So why the fuss? The stage show takes the hysteria and madness of the TV program and adds in a massive dash of the surreal as God and Satan guest on the show to settle their differences. Add a chorus line of tap-dancing Ku Klux Klan members, Jesus as a nappy-wearing fetishist and a pole-dancing transsexual and you’re left with a show that might not appeal to all, but certainly has to be seen to be believed.
Far less controversially (but perhaps in equally bad taste, depending on your opinion of a Ben Elton written musical), The Rod Stewart musical Tonight’s The Night follows from June 19th- 24th, before cult classic The Rocky Horror Show sets up camp from June 26th – July 1st. Although now appearing somewhat tame by Jerry Springer standards, this was the original sex shock stage comedy and still has a massive following, as will no doubt be shown by the legions of fans who turn up in costume. Could this be the fate of Jerry Springer in future years I wonder?
As the summer holidays kick in, The Empire also serves up a couple of real treats for the kids with The Fimbles coming to town from June 21st – 23rd and Horrible Histories: The Terrible Tudors and The Vile Victorians from July 25th – 29th. Adapted by author Terry Deary from his award-winning books, this show will make your kids desperate to get back to history lessons! Well, almost…
Unity has, as usual, a packed programme over the summer, featuring a diverse range of theatre and dance. Taking place on June 21st, the day after the crucial England v Sweden World Cup game, Altru Theatre present their production of Arthur Smith’s comedy play An Evening With Gary Lineker. On the day of the England v West Germany semi-final in 1990, Bill and Monica are on holiday and, while she wants to discuss their failing relationship, all he wants to do is watch the game. If you’re sick to the back teeth of the f-word by then (that’s football, by the way) Padded Cell’s Damaged on the 22nd and 23rd of June takes a look at the murky underworld of sex trafficking as three women tell their stories of being forced into prostitution in Britain. Following hard on the heels of The Everyman’s stunning Unprotected, this looks set to add a new dimension to a vital debate.
The fifth incarnation of the Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival takes place in various venues around the city from the 2nd – 16th July. Highlights include Sabrine, a rite-of-passage story of a fifteen year-old belly dancer in Cairo, and Texterminators, an all-female cast portraying a male insurgent group in the midst of civil war, on the 6th and 11th respectively at Unity. For further details of the festival, head to www.bluecoatartscentre.com.
Matthew Taylor.
