Battered and Bruised
BBC producer and director John Maguire has a fairly colourful resume, having worked as a qualified industrial pipe fitter, lived in a French monastery, and spent six years in commercial sales working from cold call commission.
Now he has written Bruise, an explosive piece of writing, exploring the destructive forces that compel two opposing - yet similar characters to stay united in a complex, bitter, loving relationship.
Two Gay Males, early thirties, love and lust, of course, hedonism and passion, as you do.
The play promises to beg the question, what exactly is love, and how far would you go to push it.
*Bruise, Friday 24th & Saturday 25th February, The Lantern Theatre, Blundell Street, from 7.30 pm, tickets £8
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Sailors for me
Some fairly choppy reports about Samantha Womack's performance in this, nevertheless she had to wash EastEnders out of her hair one way or another.
The setting for South Pacific is as far removed from Albert Square as you could wish for. A tropical island during World War II, this is the sweeping romantic story of two couples threatened by the realities of war and by their own prejudices.
Considered one of the finest musicals ever written, the score includes classic musical tunes like Some Enchanted Evening and and There is Nothin’ Like a Dame. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s portrayal of Americans stationed in an alien culture during wartime is as poignant today as when it first thrilled audiences in 1949.
*South Pacific, all weekend, Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street, tickets from £19.50.
Oldest swingers in town
Be honest now. Who of you doesn’t at least hum along when tunes like Ain’t that a Kick in the Head or I Get a Kick Out of You play in the background? Maybe tap a foot?
This weekend the “purveyors of cool” come to town with a sensational show featuring the greatest music of the 20th century. It’s old enough to be considered hip again.
Pretend you are at the Sands with Count Basie as Sinatra, Deano Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr soundalikes belt out Come Fly With Me, Volare, I've Got You Under My Skin and more.
Diss the disco and swing.
*The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular, Floral Pavilion Theatre, Wallasey, Saturday 25th February, from 7.30pm, tickets £20
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About the bird
The 18 feet tall Liver Birds are internationally recognised as the symbol of the City of Liverpool.
This weekend you can make a Liver Bird of your own, and discover the myths behind this magical creature. It beats paper aeroplanes and you can look out at the real thing from the big windows.
*Liver Birds, Museum of Liverpool, Saturday 25th February, from 11am, free event
