Cabaret history of Liverpool's century

Jul 9 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Smoke and Mirrors cabaret cast members Mike Neary, Bekah Sloan, Sonya Moorhead and Liam Tobin _320

A WEEK of cabaret for Liverpool has begun, as part of an unique theatre project taking place.

Collective Encounters, a professional theatre company based in the north of the city, has transformed a disused dock warehouse in Kirkdale into a “magical music hall venue”, for a satirical production that re-tells the story of Liverpool from 1908 to 2008.

Magical, funny and accompanied by live music, dance and projected visuals, Smoke and Mirrors – which runs until Saturday – explores the people of Liverpool’s relationship with their city, tackling themes of citizenship, democracy and civic engagement.

It’s being held in a disused corn mill in a specially constructed theatre space, that before being uncovered by the company had not been set foot in for 30 years.

As well as being entertained by the professional actors and musicians (including members of the jazz-rock band Wizards of Twiddly), audiences will also be treated to vignette performances by local residents, including experts on the spoons and saws.

And what Scouse night out is complete without a bit of a sing-song?

The 90-minute piece concludes with karaoke in the Edwardian Bar, open until midnight for those who want to stay after the show to meet new people and talk about what they have seen that night – organisers say that community connection is the key to this event.

Finding unusual and unexpected performance venues is nothing new for Collective Encounters.

Back in 2005, the company restored an entire Anfield street of boarded up Victorian terraces to their former glory to perform The Harmony Suite, a theatrical event articulating local people’s responses to the wave regeneration and urban renewal happening around them.

The company, which was set up in 2004 by artistic director Sarah Thornton, also runs a long term youth theatre and is embarking on a long term Third Age theatre for over 55s.

Smoke and Mirrors takes place all this week at The Mill, in Fulton Street, off Boundary Street, Kirkdale.

Tickets for the show are available from the Echo Arena box office at www.accliverpool.co.uk, or 0844 8000 400, priced £5.50/£3.50 concessions, with free tickets available to north Liverpool residents if booked over the phone.

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk