It’s another busy week coming up at The Atkinson in Southport!
There is a wealth of shows to enjoy, including: That Knave, Raleigh by the award-winning Dyad Productions; Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers celebrate their 30th anniversary with In Time; Grateful Fred’s are back with Americana & Roots Music: Kirsten Adamson & The Tanagers; while China Crisis return to Southport with their Y Stop Now? Tour 2025.
And don’t forget the Sefton Open art exhibition opens on Saturday (5th April 2025).
| The Week Ahead at The Atkinson |
| That Knave, Raleigh Tuesday 01 April 2025, 8pm. The Atkinson – Studio. £16 / Concessions £14 Following their five-star show, I, Elizabeth, the award-winning Dyad Productions (A Christmas Carol, Lady Susan, A Room of One’s Own, Christmas Gothic, Austen’s Women, Female Gothic) return to the Elizabethan era. To the famous and fabulous Elizabethan explorer, sailor, dandy, and warrior, Sir Walter Raleigh. Elizabeth I’s favourite and James I’s knave.This is a journey through the astonishing highs and lows of one of Britain’s most famous men from history. But there’s so much you don’t know…Father, husband, writer, poet, adventurer, philosopher, soldier, tyrant, egotist, lover, traitor, alchemist, visionary, victim.In a life spanning around 65 years, Sir Walter Raleigh achieved more than others might do in a hundred lifetimes. Over a decade in the tower and still he held power. The Huguenots, America, The Armada and execution. Is that the whole story? The final chapter of Raleigh’s life is perhaps the most daring, strange and utterly heart-breaking.See the fall from grace taken directly from historical record, marvel at the magnetism of a man who seized every opportunity to create a legacy which spans the centuries and at every wrenching, exalting and personal moment, you will be witnesses.Written and performed by Andrew Margerison (A Christmas Carol, Frantic Assembly’s Fatherland, Macbeth), and directed by Rebecca Vaughan (A Christmas Carol).Created in collaboration with The Old Town Hall, Hemel Hempstead. |
| Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers: In Time Wednesday 02 April 2025, 7pm. The Atkinson – Theatre. £26 / £22 for under 18sJ oin the celebration of Mugenkyo’s landmark 30th anniversary, with a very special show of big beats, visual treats & vital energy.Taking the audience on a journey ‘in time’, a thrilling ride through their 30 years, the concert is a full theatrical experience, with dynamic choreography and heart-pounding rhythms contrasting with atmospheric soundscapes.As Europe’s longest-established taiko group, Mugenkyo are widely recognised as the ground-breaking pioneers of this exciting art-form, thrilling audiences at thousands of performances worldwide, now returning with their first new show in 5 years.In the few years leading up to now, Mugenkyo have been busy on projects such as collaborating on the ambitious “World of Gods” with the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, filming for the Hollywood film “Tin Soldier” in Greece with Jamie Foxx and Robert DeNiro, a 2-week run at the World Expo in Dubai, the BBC TV Tokyo Olympics, a 26-date run at the Adelaide Fringe, the “Fire & Light” site-specific project, regular online workshops & performances, along with rebuilding their purpose-built residential centre for Taiko.They now return to the road with an electrifying and uplifting performance of skill, stamina and soul, just ‘in time’ for this special Birthday Bash! Don’t miss it! |
| Grateful Fred’s: Americana & Roots Music: Kirsten Adamson & The TanagersWednesday 02 April 2025, 7:30pm. The Atkinson – Studio. £15Grateful Fred’s have been pioneering Americana and Roots music in Formby, Southport and Liverpool since 2010 and during that time have presented some of the best US, Canadian and World artists.On the first Wednesday of every month, join the Fredhead’s at The Atkinson for a wonderful night of live acoustic music.The Club Night7.30pm – The Silver Freds 8.00pm – April Moon 8.40pm – Interval 9.00pm – Kirsten Adamson & The Tanagers |
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| The Occupation of Alderney and the German Concentration Camp on British SoilThursday 03 April 2025, 7:00pm. The Atkinson – Studio. Free for members / £5 for public.A talk by Piers Secunda (A U.K. Government Enquiry was announced after his 2023 exhibition closed).In the last couple of years the UK media has frequently published revelations and new information about the German occupation of the British Channel Island of Alderney. A large volume of this new information has been found by British artist Piers Secunda. His findings expose some shocking truths about the the nature of the occuation of Alderney and the UK’s failure to prosecute the war crimes carried out there by the SS, against prisoners from 20 different nations across Europe and North Africa. This promises to be an edge of your seat talk, laying bare many of Piers’ findings, some of which pushed the UK Government to open an inquiry into how many people died on Alderney during the war. |
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| Dave Spikey – Life in a Northern TownThursday 03 April 2025, 7:30pm. The Atkinson – Theatre. SOLD OUTThis show is all about Dave’s life in ….. well…. a northern town, so no surprise there.From his working-class childhood in the small, terraced houses round the mills in Bolton through passing his 11 plus and going to grammar school with an ambition to be a doctor which was thwarted just after his “O” levels. Instead, at 16 getting a job in the Pathology department at Bolton General Hospital and working there for 32 years ultimately as Chief Biomedical Scientist in Haematology before throwing caution to the wind and leaving to pursue a career in comedy, as you do! |
| China Crisis – Y Stop Now? Tour 2025Friday 04 April 2025, 8:00pm. The Atkinson – Theatre. £27.50For more than four decades now Gary Daly and Eddie Lundon, collectively better known as China Crisis, have been writing and performing some of the most catchy and sophisticated pop songs out there, from “Wishful Thinking”, “Black Man Ray”, and “King in a Catholic Style” to “Christian”, “Arizona Sky” and “Down Here on Earth”. Their 2024 release China Greatness (featuring elevated, cinematic new arrangements of the songwriters’ own favourite tracks from across their catalogue) peaked in the album charts at record-setting levels for the band, and their recent tours around the globe have served to both build the loyalty of existing fans and entice new legions ardent new followers in the process.Come join Eddie, Gary and their band in 2025 as they get back on the road again performing charttoppers that defined a generation to hidden gems that have lingered in the hearts of devoted listeners.It will be another unforgettable China Crisis night of music, laughter, and perhaps a just bit of nostalgia that will leave you answering the question of “Why stop now?” with “Why stop, ever?!” |
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| Chesney HawkesSaturday 05 April 2025, 7:30pm. The Atkinson – Studio. SOLD OUTWith his era-defining smash hit ‘The One and Only’, film star good looks and boy next door charm, Chesney Hawkes was one of the UK’s biggest pop stars of the ‘90s.Three decades on, and now certifiably the kind of bloke you’d love to have a pint with, the national treasure Chesney kick-starts a new stage in his career and introduces himself to brand new audiences with the new single ‘Get A Hold Of Yourself’ – his first all-new music in more than a decade which will be taken from his forthcoming album due in 2025. Premiered on Radio 2, ‘Get A Hold Of Yourself’ finds Chesney applying that famous voice to a classic, high energy pop-rock sound – but with a bright modernist edge that brings him back up to date without losing the essence of what he’s best known for. |
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| Celebrating SpringWith the lengthening days and a whisper of spring in the air, we’re welcoming a season of renewal. Embrace the blossoming beauty with our curated collection of floral-inspired treasures and sun-kissed delights, perfect for gifting or indulging yourself. |
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