ARTS & CULTURE
Photo Credit: FACT
Group Therapy: Mental Distress in a Digital Age
FACT // Thursday 5 March – Sunday 17 May
Technology has advanced more than any of us can imagine – I often am in awe at the youngsters and their penchant for Insta-this, hashtags and YOLO’s, but as we live in a digital age, what effect does such technology bring alongside our mental wellbeing? This exciting exhibition at FACT explores just this, presented as a diverse collection of artworks, research and design Group Therapy connects the often neglected, unnoticed and ignored issues that are prevalent with the technologies that structure our lives, particularly as a social issue that continues to invade all our lives. With work from Katriona Beales, Lauren Moffat and Tony Mallon this exhibition is very in line with contemporary societal problems, plus the artworks are all technology, film based and if you’re a tech geek, be sure to visit! With an amazing programme of events, watch this space for more on this exciting exhibition.
http://www.fact.co.uk/projects/group-therapy-mental-distress-in-a-digital-age.aspx
Leonora Carrington / Cathy Wilkes / György Kepes
Tate // Friday 6 March – Sunday 31 May
The Tate of course needs no introduction, but with three exciting new exhibitions launching this week, you have ample opportunity to sample the delights that the Tate has to offer. Leonora Carrington was a Lancashire born artist, who was one of the key players in the surrealist movement alongside Salvador Dalí and Max Ernst. An experimenter, Carrington was a prolific painter and never restricted by convention, her works will leave you inspired. Nominated for a Turner Prize, Cathy Wilkes installations are large-scale, sculptural and often evoke places of loss or transformation, lose yourself in her poetic and somewhat unnerving works. Finally, György Kepes an educator and innovator was one of the leading experimentalists in working across the disciplines of art, photography and science, his photographs and pioneering in photo-technology influenced a generation, including Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock and Martin Scorsese, not one to be missed!
http://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-liverpool/exhibition/leonora-carrington
Photo Credit: Unity Theatre
Krapp’s Last Tape
Unity Theatre // Tuesday 10 March – Saturday 14 March / 8pm & 2pm
Considered the greatest playwright of the twentieth century, Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape is a must-see classic, a tragically comic masterpiece. As Krapp sits alone on his 69th birthday listening to a recording from his younger self, it reveals an idealistic fool – but will time reveal the kind of fool he has become? Directed by Unity Theatre’s retiring Artistic Director Graeme Phillips who was recently awarded an MBE for services to arts in Liverpool, don’t miss out on a legendary director taking on a genius play.
http://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/krapp-s-last-tape.html
Body Awareness – A LUDS Production
McAusland Lounge, Liverpool Guild of Students // Thursday 12 March – Saturday 14 March
In conjunction with International Women’s Week our very own LUDS are presenting a contemporary play dealing with issues that we all face – surrounding sexuality, relationships and the family. Annie Baker’s Body Awareness developed in the US in 2007 is having its British debut here at the University of Liverpool, as directed by Angela Hehir and Elliott Ramsey. The story of the complex relationships that surround couple Phyllis and Joyce as Frank a photographer famous for his female nude portraits resides with them for the duration of ‘Body Awareness Week’ at the University of Birmingham. Phyllis is furious at his depictions, Joyce is intrigued and even contemplates posing for him, this bickering impacts on their 21-year-old son, Jared, who may or may not have Asperger’s Syndrome with heart breaking and hilarious results. LUDS invites you to sit down in their family home and survey the emotional spectrum of domestic life. As a LUDS performance the quality can assuredly be premium stuff, make sure you don’t miss this great play!
http://www.liverpoolguild.org/groups/liverpool-university-drama-society-luds/events/body-awareness
Photo Credit: Royal Standard Website
External Machines
The Royal Standard // Friday 13 March – Sunday 3 May
External Machines is an ambitious new exhibition that brings together artists from a variety of backgrounds, exploring – through sculpture, print, photography and digital works – the tension between ideas of constriction and relief, relating to our environment. The exhibition is highly personable to the Royal Standard’s own building, environment and gallery space, and explores the spaces we inhabit and the self in relation to the contraptions, machines and objects that we are surrounded by. A research and investigation led exhibition, not based solely on the theme but also in its own gallery practices, keep an eye out for upcoming events around this exciting project. The Royal Standard is an artist led gallery, pioneering in its curatorial practices and is somewhere we should all visit and support whilst in Liverpool!
http://www.the-royal-standard.com/programme/external-machines/
Nursing Lives
Photo Credit: Unity Theatre
Unity Theatre // Tuesday 17 March – Wednesday 18 March
Unity Theatre presents A Vamos Theatre production telling a love story set in the early 1980’s with a twist. Heralding back to the hard-working, heart-breaking and swing dancing world of the UK’s wartime hospitals, this play follows 70 year old Flo, as she regales on her wartime nursing days as the hospital she trained at is under threat of demolition. Vamos Theatre Tours are an innovative production company that use full masks so as to make for an interesting and exciting theatre performance, which is guaranteed to keep you entertained – if not scare you slightly.
http://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/nursing-lives.html
Billy Liar – A LUDS Production
Stanley Theatre, The Guild // Thursday 19 March – Friday 20 March
A production adapted from the original novel by Keith Waterhouse and directed by Mary Cooper and Alice Watkins, Billy Liar tells the story of Billy Fisher, a working-class 19 year old, living with his parents. Bored by his job as a lowly clerk for an undertaker, Billy spends his time indulging in fantasies and dreams of life in the big city as a comedy writer. This bittersweet comedy shows a day in Billy’s life when all his lies come to a head and he is forced to make a big decision- to stay in his dream world, or to brave life in reality. Full of twists and turns, this emotional drama as presented by LUDS will have you at the edge of your seat.
http://www.liverpoolguild.org/groups/liverpool-university-drama-society-luds/events/billy-liar
Food For Real Film Festival
Various Venues // Thursday 19 March – Sunday 23 March
The UK’s only free film festival, brought to you by social-enterprise Squash Nutrition, focussed on food comes to Liverpool this month, exploring the environmental, cultural and political impacts of the foods we grow, eat, waste and share. With over 30 food-focused features, talks, activities – and the best bit – tastings! With taste-tingling themes running throughout the festival: salt and sugar, food and mind, Toxteth, family and food waste there is plenty for you to get your teeth into. Constellations hosts a variety of activities including a 24 hour spring Equinox on Friday with drumming, feasting and discos to see you through! The Observatory and Constellations will also be hosting their first Make and Grow Produce and Producers Market which includes a variety of activities, host of local growers, food makers and Pop-Up Culinary Cinema, what better way to spend your Sunday afternoon!
Natalie McCool, Photo Credit: Unity Theatre
Liverpool Acoustic Festival
Unity Theatre // Friday 21 March – Saturday 22 March
Liverpool’s very first Acoustic Festival is about to hit Unity Theatre as a two-day festival featuring both upcoming artists and established acts, seminars, record fairs, Q&A’s, workshops and special events! Headlining is Liverpool legend and former Icicle Works member Ian McNabb as well as local-born Robert Vincent, with Liverpool Music Awards Female Winner Natalie McCool also making an appearance. This jam-packed weekend will celebrate the mellow sounds of acoustic and roots music that travelled to, through or from Liverpool. An exciting new venture that will have you chilled out and ready to take Monday on, be sure to check out an exciting and intimate festival experience.
http://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/liverpool-acoustic-festival.html
Traditional Han Chinese Culture Show
Unity Theatre // Saturday 28 March 2pm & 8pm
China Pearl Productions brings us an insight into the traditions of the Han Chinese Culture which is both rich and beautiful, spanning thousands of years. The production includes elegant and engaging music, martial arts, tai chi, calligraphy, dance and poetry – so something for everyone to enjoy! The production will also showcase historical clothes from the different dynasties in China and the tea ceremony. A must for anyone interested in Chinese culture and also for those who would like to see an optical showcase of beauty.
http://www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk/whats-on/traditional-han-chinese-culture-show.html
Pravin Godkhindi, Photo Credit: Milapfest
Milapfest Presents… Pravin Godkhindi & Kousic Sen
Capstone Theatre // Saturday 28 March 1pm
Milapfest, the UK’s leading Indian arts and culture organisation presents a rare and exciting performance by Pravin Godkhindi, a highly acclaimed flautist who plays both northern and southern classical Indian music, fused with Western jazz and folk influences. A leading musician in his field Godkhindi has played around the world to huge acclaim with his skill, intricate rhythms and creative style, and will be joined by tabla player Kousic Sen for an exciting and unmissable concert, that is also free!
http://www.milapfest.com/events/pravin-godkhindi-kousic-sen/?sub_brand=all