Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021 is now officially over. And it was another roaring success in line with the 2020 event and this year’s Festival Of New Works. Furthermore, every show would have something different to offer, allowing the event to cater to all audience tastes. So, let’s take a closer look at the Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021!
Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021
The Shows
So, the event would open with 2Gorgeous4U, a hilarious and emotional retrospective on a local pop duo getting back together. Then, Perfectly Frank – Swinging The Hits Of Sinatra would pay homage to Ol’ Blue Eyes with many of his most famous hits. Meanwhile, The Last Five Years would contrast the mindsets of a couple whose marriage would falter, but with each perspective coming from alternate perspectives. And When Another Dragon Roars would not only entertain kids but enlighten audiences about the importance of keeping calm.
Everybody’s Talking About Musicals would bring a superb cast to the stage to perform songs synonymous with West End musicals. Elsewhere, Boing … Meow! would allow for great audience interaction amongst the youngest attendees in a fun manner. Furthermore, Electric Dreams would rock the Bombed Out Church with a mix of Shakespeare and 80s music in an unforgettable fashion. And An Evening Without Kate Bush would spotlight one of music’s more enigmatic figures in a unique production.
Other Shows
Twice Nightly would see a show from the Festival Of New Works make it to the main Festival. Swan Song would see Andrew Lancel return with his one-man show that demonstrates a fresh take on changes within society. Then there was Opera Beneath The Stars, with Roy Locke and company delivering one tremendous operatic tune after another. And who could forget Broken Biscuits, a show that would not so much tug as drag back the heartstrings?
Then there was Twelfth Night, another focus on Shakespeare but with children being the target audience. Then there’s Laughterhouse Comedy, a riotous mix of stand-up acts that would deliver a ton of laughs. Not forgetting Goldilocks And The Fab 4, an unusual blend of a fairytale character and Liverpool’s greatest band. And last but not least, we would have Something About George – The George Harrison Story to close out proceedings.
The Venue
I always make mention of this when covering these festivals, but it bears repeating. Namely, the Bombed Out Church/St. Luke’s Church is a terrific venue. Indeed, the open-air setting adds to the specialness of the occasion. And the history of the venue enhances the credibility of what we’re witnessing. But more than that, the use of lighting on the church walls is simply stunning. Oftentimes, the effects are basic, but in this setting, they become artistic and dazzling. This is an area where the festival succeeds over most theatres because it’s hard to create that feeling indoors. Needless to say that the Bombed Out Church is the perfect location for the Liverpool Theatre Festival.
The Production
There was one big difference for this particular festival: we could have a full house! Yes, the seating would allow a maximum of around 250 people to watch each show when reaching the venue’s limit. And this would benefit some shows more than others due to the larger attendances garnering stronger reactions for the performances. Here’s hoping that this once again becomes the norm as we hopefully move away from the worst of the pandemic. Nevertheless, there would still be some safety measures in place, such as hand sanitisers and the option to wear masks.
The Format
One element that I love about the festival is the sheer variety. I would begin this article by saying that there’s something for everyone, and it was true. For instance, four of the shows would target families. Other shows would aim towards adults, but with the content being family-friendly. And other shows would carry an 18+ rating for a reason! But it’s also the feelings that each show would generate., So, several shows would have the crowd laughing out loud. Other shows, meanwhile, would be extremely emotional. Furthermore, a couple of shows would be educational. And then there would be the shows that exist purely for people to have fun.
And every type of show was also here. Musical? Check. Opera? Check. Play? Check. Pantomime? Check. Tribute show? Check. A stand-up comedy show? Check. The only thing that may enhance the run of shows would be an actual music set for a local band. But then that would likely come under a Liverpool Music Festival spin-off from the theatre event. An idea for 2022, perhaps, especially in this same venue? But either way, the festival would guarantee at least one show to meet everybody’s varying needs.
Summary
Once again, if not more than ever, the Liverpool Theatre Festival was a huge hit. Indeed, all of the shows were worth watching, with some likely to stay in my memory for a long time. And rather than a distraction from the pandemic, this now feels like a real staple of the annual theatre calendar. So, I cannot wait to see what shows we will get when next year’s festival comes around. Roll on 2022!
Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021 Further Link
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Did you see any of the shows during Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
