Top things to do in Liverpool and beyond: October 2021

EMILY SPEED - FLATLAND | Tate Liverpool | Until 5 June 2022

Emily Speed’s first major, solo exhibition in a UK gallery features a new film installation, inspired by Edwin Abbott’s 1884 novella Flatland, a satire of Victorian society, where all existence is limited to two dimensions and women are restricted to thin, straight lines. Speed was the successful applicant of the inaugural Art North West scheme.

Tate Liverpool, Royal Albert Dock, Liverpool L3 4BB (Tickets free, advance booking recommended via Tate Liverpool)

THE HISTORY WHISPERER | St George’s Hall | 8 October - 6 November

This new immersive experience uses the latest technology to plunge audiences into a world where the past meets the present and history comes alive. Told through the eyes of a child called Livie, the attraction brings to life Liverpool in the 1850s and illustrates how the building represented two very different sides to the city. From the opulence of the Great Hall and Concert Room so loved by Queen Victoria and Charles Dickens to the destitution of people in the building’s prison cells awaiting sentencing in its courtroom.

St George’s Hall, St Johns Lane, Liverpool L1 1JJ (Tickets from £1 at St George’s Hall)

FARMAGEDDON | Farmer Ted’s | 8 - 31 October

It just isn’t Halloween with a visit to the poop-your-pants-terrifying phenomenon that is Farmageddon, ready to scare the living daylights out of anyone brave enough to venture down to scare mazes; The Beast of Terror, Contagion and The Meat Locker. The whole park is themed with roaming zombies and creatures of the night. Just keep telling yourself - it isn’t real, it isn’t real… 

Farmageddon, Flatman’s Lane, Downholland, Ormskirk, L39 7HW (Tickets from £18.50 at Farmageddon.com)

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VICTORIAN WOMEN IN BED | Athenaeum Club | Saturday 16 October

Sarah Bernhardt, Queen Victoria, Charlotte Bronte, Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Mrs Emma Hardy - six bold women invite you into their bedrooms in this intimate performance to be staged at one of Liverpool’s most fascinating hidden gems. The show is written and directed by Janet Goddard (Letter to Brezhnev). Entertaining, educational and fun, it’s a great opportunity for a peek inside the historic Athenaeum Club. 

Athenaeum Club, 12-18 Church Alley, Liverpool L1 3DD (7pm, tickets £15.65 from Skiddle)

WAR OF THE WORLDS | The Everyman | 19 - 23 October

A new stage adaptation of The War of the Worlds, inspired by H G Wells’ sci-fi novel and Orson Welles’ classic radio play, which caused hysteria when it was broadcast to the public. Rhum and Clay Theatre Company cleverly re-imagine the story of the provocative radio play into the 21st century. In a world of Fake News, this production replaces the radio with the internet as an outlet to make sense of the world. 

Everyman Theatre, 5-11 Hope St, Liverpool L1 9BH (Tickets £10 - £25 from Everyman and Playhouse)

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK | St Helens Theatre Royal | 21 - 31 October

It can’t be panto season already? Oh yes it can! Join Jack (Timothy Lucas) on his gigantic journey up the beanstalk as he discovers geese with golden eggs, a magic harp, and not forgetting a close encounter with a very hungry giant. But he needs to tread carefully, as the villainous Mrs Fleshcreep is hot on his heels, determined to stop him.

St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation St, Saint Helens WA10 1LQ (5pm, tickets from £13 at St Helens Theatre Royal)

NADIA SHEIKH | Jimmy’s Liverpool | Thursday 21 October

Sheikh’s ability to combine the powerful, anthemic nature of indie-rock with heartfelt, singer-songwriter style lyricism and the hooks of timeless pop have previously seen her join Stereophonics on an extensive UK/EU tour – performing sold out arena shows in Manchester, Cardiff and across the EU. A great opportunity to catch the British/Spanish genre-chameleon in an intimate live setting.

Jimmy's Liverpool, 130 Bold St, Liverpool L1 4JA (Tickets £8 from Jimmy’s Liverpool)

NATHANIEL HALL - FIRST TIME | Unity Theatre | Thursday 21 October

Diagnosed as HIV+ two weeks before his 17th birthday and after his first ever sexual experience, Nathaniel Hall kept this a secret from his family for nearly 15 years. In 2017 aged 31, he had a breakdown, came out to his family as HIV+, and created this gut-wrenchingly honest and equally hilarious play. Nathaniel was one of the breakout stars of the recent Channel 4 hit drama It's A Sin written by Russell T Davies.

Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Pl, Liverpool L1 9BG (7.30pm, tickets £10.50 - £12 from Unity Theatre)

RIVER OF LIGHT | Various venues | 22 October - 7 November

An outdoor illuminated art gallery is set to take over Liverpool’s world-famous waterfront once again in 2021 with the theme, Rhythm of the Light. For 17 nights, the River of Light trail will showcase the work of leading local, national and international artists across the Liverpool Waterfront with a number of stunning audio and visual installations.

Various venues (free entry, more information at Visit Liverpool)

BACK TO THE FUTURE | Plaza Community Cinema | Wednesday 27 October

Great Scott! Following the first Plaza 80s night which sold out in record time, Nick Gartland returns with the second instalment and a special screening of Back to the Future. Nick used to work at the Plaza and has been a supporter of the cinema since the 80s. Enjoy a classic film on the big screen in this stunning Art Deco cinema - Nick will be warming up the audience before the film with an 80s DJ set.

Plaza Community Cinema, 13 Crosby Road North, Liverpool L22 0LD (7pm, tickets £7 from Plaza Cinema)

EXTREME FIELDS | Electrik Warehouse | Saturday 30 October

TNT Extreme Wrestling made their debut show back in February 2015 and since then have put Liverpool on the map for British wrestling. Get ready for the UK’s biggest rock and wrestling extravaganza, as TNT Extreme Fields goes live with seven hours of live music and the best pro wrestling action. Acts confirmed include Junior, Scare Tactics, Attic Theory and many more, plus some of the hottest independent wrestlers in Britain - Robbie X, The She-Wolves, and Alexxis Falcon with some blockbuster bouts already signed, including Clint Margera vs Tyler Devlin and The Young Guns vs Lykos Gym.

Electrik Warehouse, 16 Wood St, Liverpool L1 4AQ (11.30am - 7.30pm, tickets £30 from WT Live)

ROUTES AND ROOTS | Various venues | 16 - 31 October

A new festival, Routes and Roots, launches on 16 October, with two weeks of free cultural, arts and wellbeing activities and events across the city, created to celebrate Black History Month. From drumming and dancing to lantern making, slavery tours and bike workshops to wellbeing, this is a brilliant chance to connect with the heritage, culture and wellbeing practices of people of the African Diaspora. The festival will conclude with the Katumba Halloween Carnival and launch of BlaST (Black & Brown Social Traders Network) at the Bombed Out Church on 31 October. Expect big, bold, visual shows and performances with drums, fire, lights, dance, theatre and more.

Various venues (free admission, more info at Katumba.co.uk) 

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