Up Next Festival 2024

Up Next Festival

Wednesday 24th April — Saturday 4th May

A two-week arts festival celebrating Merseyside artists
Part of the Unity Open Call Programme

Up Next Festival is back for 2024 for our annual celebration of Merseyside artists, and this year it’s bigger than ever.

This April, join us for an extended two-week arts festival featuring brand-new shows from Merseyside’s most exciting artists and companies.

This year’s festival includes newly commissioned works across a range of artforms including world premiere plays, poetry, cabaret, sound installations and music.

As well as the packed theatre programme, this mega line-up also includes the first ever Up Next Comedy Night, a brand-new exhibition, DJs, panel discussions, creative events and more.

The line-up of artists, selected through Unity Open Call 2024, includes:

Andrew McKay / Filla Crack
Daniel Foxsmith & Moncef Mansur
Helen Jeffery
Jess Green
Natalie Denny & Skywrites LTD
Olayemi Z. Ade
Sasha Georgette
Sonic Mutiny
The Barry Brian and Bean Company
Tip Tray Theatre

+ live comedy from Sian Davies, Alex Stringer, Niki Rooney, Sam

All theatre shows are available to book now. Scroll for full event listings…

Booking Tickets:

Single Tickets: Individual tickets for all events are £8 / £6 Creative’Pool. See individual line-up here or scroll below
Festival Pass: After selling out in 2022, our limited-edition Festival Pass Wristbands return for this year’s festival. The Festival Pass is just £25 per week and gives you access to all events in your chosen week (saving you £23). What’s more, you’ll get an exclusive Up Next Festival Wristband to gain entry into all shows and 10% off at the Unity Bar. View the Week 1 and 2 Pass options and book here

Schedule

Wed 24 Apr, 20:00: WoMan by Andrew Mckay / Filla Crack
Fri 26 Apr, 18:15: Space Invaders x Liar by Tip Tray Theatre
Fri 26 Apr, 20:00: BERBER BOY by Daniel Foxsmith & Moncef Mansur
Sat 27 Apr, 18:15: At The End of the Day She’s Still Your Mother by Jess Green
Sat 27 Apr, 20:00: Borrowed by Sasha Georgette

Wed 1 May, 18:15 & 20:30: Earth is Lost by Sonic Mutiny
Wed 1 May, 19:30: Sass: A Chained Melody by Olayemi Z. Ade
Fri 3 May, 18:15: Revival by Natalie Denny
Fri 3 May, 20:00: Buckled by Helen Jeffery
Sat 4 May, 18:15: Losing Brian by The Barry Brian and Bean Company
Sat 4 May, 20:00: Up Next Comedy Night

Up Next Festival has been made possible thanks to our Open Call Crowdfunder 2023 Donors and funding from The Arts Society and The Granada Foundation.

Wo-Man

24th April

Using verbatim interviews of voices from within the drag community, Andrew McKay’s new show explores the highs and lows of having an alter ego of the opposite sex and living in the public eye.

BERBER BOY

26th April

Moncef sits outside an audition room, waiting to audition for a lifetime role: Tunisian President Ben Ali. A coming-of-age culture-fuck, Berber Boy is an Irish discussion about Tunisian identity.

Space Invaders x LIAR

26th April

A one act double bill of new writing that captures the fun, complexity and struggles of being young and disabled.

Borrowed

27th April

Borrowed is a radical story about a pregnant fat girl, a prejudiced healthcare system, and a pineapple

At The End Of The Day She’s Still Your Mother

27th April

An estranged mother and daughter meet in a breast cancer clinic and are forced to confront their own and each other’s mortality.

Earth is Lost

1st May

Sonic Mutiny present Earth is Lost – a captivating sound installation that propels you into space.

Sass: A Chained Melody

1st May

Glitter, lip gloss, weave and a dream: Buki is one-third of Sass – a successful RnB group on the brink of breakup.

Revival

3rd May

Revival showcases Black/minoritorised women; sharing their stories: overcoming challenges, campaigning for change, breathing new life into themselves and their communities.

Buckled