Beckett: Lieben 2026

Expressionist-style painting of a seated figure wearing a light green dress, a dark oversized coat, and a pale green headscarf. Colorful patterned trim and a belt accent the clothing. The figure is positioned against a dark, textured background with visible brushstrokes in deep greens, blues, and browns. The central artwork is framed by softly blurred extensions of the painting along the left and right sides, creating a vignette effect.

Actor and director Adrian Dunbar and musician Nick Roth bring Beckett: Lieben 2026, an international festival celebrating the works of Dublin-born writer Samuel Beckett, to Liverpool from 17-20 September.

Delivered in collaboration with the University of Liverpool’s Institute of Irish Studies, festival highlights include an installation from world-renowned artist Sean Scully and a double bill of Beckett’s Play and Come and Go directed by Adrian Dunbar.
Following on from the success of Beckett: Confined in 2022 and Beckett: Unbound in 2024, the third outing of this unique biennial festival explores Beckett’s fascination with German abstract expressionism.

The full programme of theatre, music, visual art, photography, film, dance and discussion reflects the impact of German painters, writers and theatre makers on Beckett’s life and oeuvre.

Professor Mark Nixon, the director of the Beckett International Foundation and the editor of Beckett’s German diaries, published August 26th 2026, will deliver the festival keynote address at the opening event at 5pm on Thursday 17 September.
Continuing this year’s programme theme, artist Sean Scully’s steel Tree for Godot sculpture will be presented as an installation where the tree is both listener and speaker. A number of texts will respond to the rooting of the tree at the Liverpool School of Architecture, including a reading of Catherine Morris‘ Intimate Power: Autobiography of a City (2025) by students from the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA).

Other works include a double bill of Beckett’s Play and Come and Go directed by Adrian Dunbar at the Liverpool Playhouse, including a post-show discussion at the end of each show, and a free performance at the University of Liverpool’s Tung Auditorium which will see renowned musicians respond to six of Beckett’s favourite paintings.

Event Date: Thursday 17th September 2026 - Sunday 20th September 2026

Location: Various locations in Liverpool City Centre and the Knowledge Quarter

Categories: 2026 | Arts & Culture | Festivals & Events | Film & Digital | Galleries & Exhibitions | In Conversations & Talks | Music & Dance

Contact Details: Institute of Irish Studies, University of Liverpool and Unreal Cities

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