Liverpool’s celebrated independent arts venue, Unity Theatre, has revealed its Autumn/Winter 2025 programme, a diverse line-up of theatre, music, and performance that champions creativity beyond the mainstream. Staying true to its founding mission, Unity continues to spotlight underrepresented voices and push boundaries on stage.
With origins in the 1930s Unity Theatre Movement, the venue has long been known for radical and socially conscious work. Throughout the mid-20th century, it gained a reputation for daring productions that tackled issues such as workers’ rights, fascism and inequality. Today, Unity remains the only surviving member of that movement and carries forward its legacy by investing in local talent, nurturing emerging voices and staging work that challenges the status quo.
Artistic Director of the Unity, Elinor Randle spoke about a few upcoming highlights of the season:
“I’m absolutely thrilled about the exciting autumn season ahead at Unity! We’re showcasing a fantastic mix of local and national talent, including the nationally acclaimed Graeae Theatre Company and last year’s Fringe sensation from Chalkline…”
This season welcomes the powerful Bad Lads by Graeae Theatre, arriving in November. The production confronts themes of oppression, resilience and justice at a time when accountability feels more urgent than ever. Also joining the programme is Chalkline’s The Chaos That Has Been and Will No Doubt Return, fresh from a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run. With biting wit and lyrical energy, it addresses knife crime and youth intervention in contemporary Britain.
Elinor continues:
“… As always, we’re committed to supporting artists, and it’s wonderful to see two of our Up Next Artists returning this season with developed pieces, Rooted and Stella, both of which began right here at Unity. I’m also proud to welcome bold new work from some of Liverpool’s vibrant and diverse festivals — Milap, Homotopia, Liverpool Irish Festival, and Luma Creations.”
Unity is more than a theatre, it has grown into a cultural hub for Liverpool and beyond, hosting exhibitions, live music, film screenings, creative workshops and a robust talent development programme. Regular Scratch Nights and Work-in-Progress events give new artists a platform, culminating in the annual Up Next Festival. This year’s season features two standout productions first developed at the festival: Stella by Chris Tomlinson & Robert Farquhar, and Rooted by Claire Beerjeraz.
Unity also creates its own in-house productions with strong community involvement. This season, Elinor Randle directs a striking new version of Jean Genet’s The Maids, first staged at Unity in 1992 by Graeme Phillips. The revival explores oppression, isolation and incarceration while engaging refugees, asylum seekers and care-home residents in an innovative participatory programme.
The theatre continues to be a key partner for Liverpool’s vibrant cultural festivals. This autumn, audiences can experience Milap’s INDIKA Festival of Indian Arts and Culture, Luma Creations’ La Feria Festival of Latin American Arts, the Liverpool Irish Festival, and Homotopia, which celebrates queer and trans artists locally and internationally. Together, these events highlight Unity’s role as a stage for the full spectrum of Liverpool’s diverse communities.
The season rounds off with Unity’s much-loved Christmas production. In partnership with Liverpool-based Tmesis Theatre, Sleep Can Wait! promises a family-friendly, neurodiverse production brimming with myth, magic and imagination – the perfect festive finale to an extraordinary season.
To kickstart the wonderful season ahead, Unity is set to host its Autumn / Winter 2025 Season Launch… Elinor said:
“Our new season kicks off September 10th! Come and join us for a fun night of chats, sneak peeks, and short performances, a little taste of what’s coming up, shared with our amazing local community.”
You can book your tickets online here.
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