2024
Hamlet
Join The Lord Chamberlain’s Men in the Garden Theatre at Calderstones Park this summer, for an outdoor production of Hamlet. With a history stretching back to William Shakespeare’s original company, they present this great play as he first saw it – in the open air, with an all-male cast and Elizabethan costumes, music and dance....
A Comedy of Errors
Join The Handlebards for a bicycle-powered production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Comedy of Errors’ like you’ve never seen before. When two sets of estranged twins are brought together on the same island, this classic comedy takes hold, with mistaken identity, music and manic costume changes a plenty. This is an outdoor production, so please bring your...
Discover Nature @ Ness
Researchers from the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences are heading to Ness Gardens next month to talk about all things nature. In these free public talks, they’ll explore a different fascinating topic each week, from creatures of the garden down to the tiny world of insects! Talks are open to everyone aged 12+ and...
Autumn Wreath Workshop
Join us for a fun and hands-on wreath-making workshop led by artist and professional upcycler, Gemma Longworth. Learn how to create a stunning autumnal wreath using seasonal foliage and decorations—a perfect way to celebrate the start of autumn. This workshop is suitable for beginners, as Gemma will guide you through the process step by step....
Heritage Open Days: The Bluecoat’s Cultural Web
In response to this year’s Heritage Open Days theme of ‘Routes, Networks, Connections’, the Bluecoat reveals some of the threads running through our building, past and present through a series of talks, open studios and tours. The Bluecoat’s Director of Cultural Legacies, Bryan Biggs charts the various networks and connections in the early twentieth century...
Heritage Open Days: Connecting Liverpool Institutions and Enslavement
In this talk two University of Liverpool PhD researchers, Michelle Girvan and Lucy Moynihan explore connections between enslavers, merchants and others involved in two Liverpool institutions, the Bluecoat Charity School (founded 1708) and the Athenaeum Library and Newsroom (founded 1797). The two buildings now face each other, but their interconnectivity goes much further. By tracing...
Heritage Open Days: Open Studios at Bluecoat
Meet some of the Bluecoat’s creative community and find out about their practices as part of Heritage Open Days Festival. In response to this year’s Heritage Open Days theme of ‘Routes, Networks, Connections’, the Bluecoat reveals some of the threads running through our building, past and present through a series of talks, open studios and...
Heritage Open Days: Heritage Tours with Bryan Biggs at Bluecoat
Join Bryan Biggs, Bluecoat’s Director of Cultural Legacies, for a tour of our Grade I listed building. Learn about our fascinating journey – from a charity school in the 18th century to the UK’s first arts center. Get special insights into our 300+ year history during Heritage Open Days. Don’t miss out, reserve your free...
Baby Book Club
Baby Book Club returns this September with a course of six weekly sessions designed for parents and carers with babies aged from 3 to 12 months. Baby Book Club is a is a great way to spend quality time with your baby, meet new friends, develop your skills and learn innovative storytelling techniques that will...
Introduction to UV Screen Printing
Learn the basics of UV screen-printing, a popular & versatile printing process that can be used on fabric & paper. During this one day course you will learn the basics of screen printing, including learning about the materials used and processes involved in creating a UV exposed screen. After preparing and exposing your own screen,...