Celebrate women in theatre throughout March as The Atkinson brings female talent and stories to the stage

In the month of International Women’s Day, Southport venue The Atkinson is hosting great theatre shows with women at the heart of them

Each year on March 8, International Women’s Day recognises both the achievements and challenges to women’s rights and equality around the world.

For 2022, The Atkinson in Southport is taking the opportunity to turn the occasion into a month-long celebration as it brings a plethora of special live performances to its stage.

Honouring women in theatre, Lord Street venue will be showing three productions during the month that have women at the heart of both the story and production.

From leading ladies to laugh-out-loud comedies and shows written from female perspectives, there’s a range of quality live entertainment lined up with something for everyone.

Château Ghoul comes to The Atkinson on March 19, telling the story of a go-to East Yorkshireboutique hotel offering themed weekends.

The hosts Brian and Brenda Binns, or B&B as they are known, introduce events including their supernatural sensation ‘Psychic Attraction’ (like Fatal Attraction but without the rabbit); their upcycling weekend which is not to be confused with the Tour de Yorkshire Lycra Festival; and the ever popular 1970’s Shanga Langa Waddy Ding Dong experience. There’s guaranteed fun for all the family, the only trouble is – the guests keep dying.

This latest comedy from award-winning LipService, which prides itself on creating original comedy shows from a distinctly female perspective, combines on-stage hilarity with stunning digital projections for a multimedia haunted house thriller.

The creators of Château Ghoul said: “Chateau Ghoul should have been born in early 2020, but then lockdown hit, so we decided to test out the characters and plot lines by making a short interactive virtual show.

“The live online audience made origami windmills which they twirled in their virtual windows as part of the action. When it came to writing the live show we decided to keep this element, so the audience now make little origami ghosts.

“We finally premiered the show at The Lowry last October and have just begun our tour. It is so fantastic to be performing to live audiences once more and we can’t wait for our trip to The Atkinson.”

Curtains will open at 8pm and the show welcomes everyone over the age of 10.

Tickets can be booked The Atkinson website for £15 per person, and £10 for under 16s.

Having already attracted four and five-star reviews I, Elizabeth is not a show to be missed, showing at The Atkinson on Wednesday, March 23.

Brought to The Atkinson by Dyad Productions, it’s written and performed by Rebecca Vaughan and is put together using only Elizabeth’s words. Adapted from letters, speeches and writing, I, Elizabeth illuminates a fascinating moment of decision in the young monarch’s reign.

Rebecca Vaughan, said: “From the very genesis of Dyad Productions in 2009, the female perspective has always been a focus. From my very first show, Austen’s Women to I, Elizabeth – which we’re bringing to The Atkinson on March 23 – I’m really interested in representing a voice that has often been lacking in British theatre.

“Especially with the solo show, where the fourth wall is completely broken, these women really have a chance to speak directly to the audience. Certainly with I, Elizabeth, the young Elizabeth I is able to fully unburden herself of the cares of monarchy and her own womanhood – and all in her own words.”

Defying the establishment by choosing to lead her country alone, Elizabeth forsakes her own dreams and desires in order to steer England towards national and spiritual security. I, Elizabeth explores the struggle to reconcile the desires of womanhood with the duties of sovereignty to expose the royal heart of an iconic historical figure.

Tickets for the 75-minute show (with interval) can be booked on The Atkinson website for £15 per person, and £13 for concessions.

On March 26, The Atkinson will welcome Mary Rose by J.M. Barrie to the stage, directed by Nick Young.
Evangeline Duncan, who plays Mary Rose, said: “Whether a play was written 100 years ago—as was J.M. Barrie’s Mary Rose – or 500 years ago, these stories stand the test of time because they are rooted in the thing we all seek; human connection.”

Mary Rose is set in an old Sussex manor house for sale that is haunted by the ghost of a young woman who once lived there.

Thirty-seven years earlier a young girl, Mary Rose, went missing on an island in the Outer Hebrides. After a month, she mysteriously returned unaware that she had been away.

As a young married woman, she revisits the island with her husband and disappears again. After 23 years she reappears, but by now her parents, husband and son have all aged, whilst Mary Rose has remained the same.

In this hauntingly beautiful and witty play, from the creator of Peter Pan, comes an exploration of time, love, loss and hope.

Speaking about transforming into the lead character, Evangeline added: “Playing a character who is so free, impulsive and wise; but becomes trapped, lost and isolated has been an incredible challenge.

“I think we can all take a leaf out of Mary Rose’s book and allow ourselves to accept our inner child as we see the overwhelming impact of loss and the power of love throughout the play.

“This play, in both story and production, is a reflection of the courage and drive it takes to keep pushing forward, to unite with each other and pursue what matters in life.”

Tickets, priced £15 or £13 for concessions, can be booked online through The Atkinson website.

For more information about the productions at The Atkinson in Southport, and the venue’s full line-up of forthcoming events and entertainment, click here.

Written By Beth Harwood, Commercial Audience Writer

This advertorial was originally published on liverpoolecho.co.uk

Posted on 8 March 2022 under General news, Theatre & Studio