Following a break in 2023, Unity Theatre’s two-week celebration of Merseyside artists, Up Next Festival, returns for 2024, taking over the whole theatre with world première plays, poetry, cabaret, comedy and wraparound activity.
The festival's return was made possible through Unity’s Open Call Crowdfunder 2023 donors and funding from Arts Council England, Liverpool City Council and The Granada Foundation.
As well as the theatre programme, there will be an Up Next Comedy Night, a 2024 exhibition, DJs, panel discussions, creative events and more.
New work from Merseyside playwrights includes Borrowed by Sasha Georgette, a story about a pregnant fat girl and a prejudiced healthcare system; At The End of the Day She's Still Your Mother by Jess Green, a darkly comic look at the mother-daughter relationship set in a breast cancer clinic; Buckled by Helen Jeffery, exploring sobriety and drinking culture; and Sass: A Chained Melody by Olayemi Z Ade, following R 'n' B girl group member Buki as she explores queerness as a black and North African person.
There will be a Friday night double-bill of coming-of-age tales-with-a-twist in Berber Boy by Habibi Theatre and Space Invaders x Liar by Tip Tray Theatre. Week two then begins with a new sound installation Earth is Lost by Sonic Mutiny.
The following Friday, Merseyside Woman of the Year Natalie Denny and her social enterprise Skywriters Ltd will present Revival, a showcase of writing by black and minoritorised women, created through community workshops and culminating in a performance for Black History Month.
The festival concludes on Saturday with eccentric drag king comedy by The Barry, Brian & Bean Company, followed by the festival’s first comedy night hosted by Sian Davies.
Matthew Brown, Unity Theatre CEO, said, “Up Next is a cornerstone of the Unity calendar, and its return in 2024, following an extended break in 2023, is testament to the popularity and following for this fortnight-long celebration!
"We know how highly anticipated news on the return of the festival has been and Up Next 2024 will offer something for everybody."