The stage is set for a fantastic summer at Everyman & Playhouse theatres

THE stage is set for a fantastic Summer at the Everyman & Playhouse theatres with everything from comedy to verse, and drag to suspense, to keep us all on the edge of our seats.

With superb productions and something to sort all tastes, it’s far too good to miss – so here’s our Summer guide to What’s On at two of the city’s favourite theatres to make sure you don’t!

Our Town Needs A Nandos – Everyman: Thursday, June 23 to Saturday, July 2

Graduates of the award-winning Young Everyman Programme (YEP) take centre stage in the world premiere of Our Town Needs A Nandos, written by YEP writer alumni Samantha O’Rourke. A dark comedy which brings a fresh perspective to coming of age, school is a nightmare, boys are infuriating – and Maccies is the only place open after 6pm. Growing up isn’t easy, but it’s even harder if you’re queer or the new girl at school, and from a place where no-one expects anything of you … where there isn’t even a Nandos.

One Man, Two Guvnors – Playhouse: Wednesday, June 29 to Saturday, July 16

In this new touring production Jordan Pearson is getting the laughs as Francis Henshall who, fired from his skiffle band, finds himself juggling not one, but two jobs. What Francis doesn’t know is his first guvnor, small-time crook Roscoe Crabbe, is actually Roscoe’s twin sister Rachel, in disguise as her dead brother, who was killed by her boyfriend, Stanley Stubbers. Francis’ second boss is Stanley Stubbers, on the run and desperate to be reunited with Rachel. All Francis needs to do is keep his two guvnors apart. All clear so far?!

A Lovely Poetry Festival – Everyman: Friday, July 1 to Friday, July 8

There’s everything from poetry slam to cheeky poetry bingo and performance workshops in this celebration of the written word. It starts with A Lovely Poetry Slam when Allan Tyson will welcome a panel of poetry connoisseurs to judge poets from across the Liverpool City Region in a Grand Slam Spoken Word Championship – with a winner-takes-all cash prize!

YEP Directors’ Festival – Everyman: Monday, July 4 to Thursday, July 14

Returning and ready to provide audiences with two weeks of whim, wonder and woe! The Directors’ Festival presents four shows – ‘each sure to blow your socks off’ – spread over two weeks. This year’s line-up is The Arsonist by Max Frisch; Every Brilliant Thing
By Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe; Shook by Samuel Bailey, and Small Hours
By Lucy Kirkwood and Ed Hime with Katie Mitchell.

Filla Crack’s Pride Drag Cabaret 2022 – Downstairs at the Everyman: Friday, July 29

After a two-year break, Liverpool Pride is back, and resident queen, Filla Crack, is bringing together some of the best local queer cabaret stars to get the celebrations started early. So, enjoy the art of gender-bending-performance in a traditional cabaret style venue that Filla likes to call her ‘cove’.

Reel Tours: Mega Movie Quiz in a Theatre – Downstairs at the Everyman on Thursday July 21, and Thursday, August 18

We all love a quiz and, with this, you can test your movie knowledge whether your area of expertise is the Golden Age of Hollywood, foreign films, or the latest blockbusters. Join Reel Tours on the third Thursday of each month for ‘the most exciting film quiz in Liverpool… in a theatre’. There are even prizes – which could be yours.

Murder Mystery – The Crown Duels: Gangs of Hope Street – Downstairs at the Everyman: Saturday, August 6

You’ve heard of The Peaky Blinders… now it’s time to get acquainted with The High Rip, Liverpool’s infamous gang. DBY Interactive presents the ultimate murder mystery themed night. It’s post-war, and the city is overrun with poverty and hunger, creating a breeding ground for violence and crime among the streets. Two rival gangs, The High Rip gang and The Logwood gang, battle it out

For more information and to book tickets, visit the Everyman & Playhouse website.