The Museum of Liverpool’s much-loved Wondrous Place gallery reopens to the public this November, celebrating Liverpool’s internationally recognised creative expression and influence with exciting new displays and interactives, alongside visitors’ favourites from the original space.
The opening weekend (27 and 28 November) will be an action-packed couple of days with free performances and family activities to mark the return of this popular gallery.
The city’s staggering roll call of entertainers, writers, poets, performers, musicians, visual artists, comedians and sports people are represented through around 650 objects, interactives and immersive experiences.
Highlights include:
- Stage & Screen, a new display, themed around Merseyside actors, writers, productions and identity. Items on display include one of Villanelle’s costumes worn by Liverpool actress, Jodie Comer, in the award-winning TV series, Killing Eve. The display also highlights the important role of TV dramas in exposing significant issues and events such as the 2020 production of Anthony and the 2017 drama series, Little Boy Blue.
- An exciting new element is an insight into the region’s gaming industry, particularly the important role of the Liverpool studio, Psygnosis, and a chance to play games developed in the city, such as Lemmings and Wipeout Omega Collection.
- The region’s incredible sporting legacy section is brought up to date with new key items including running shoes worn by 2019 World Champion Heptathlete, Katarina Johnson-Thompson, on loan from the Liverpool Harriers, Rachael Blackmore’s (the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021) racing silks, and Natasha Jonas’s Miss GB boxing shorts. Natasha was the first woman to box for Team GB.
- New objects have been added to the story of Liverpool music including Spice Girl, Mel C’s stage costume worn on the Spice World – 2019 Tour and Garry Christian’s iconic hat and sunglasses.
- The story of Liverpool music is brought up to date with a fresh look at contemporary sites and scenes, including a particular focus on dance music and festivals and displays co-produced with Sonic Yootha and URBEATZ.
- The significant contribution of Liverpool Black people to the city’s music scene is celebrated through a new display called Black to the Future, co-produced with the Heritage Development Company Liverpool.
- Visitors will be pleased to see the return of the immersive video displays: In the town where I was born, which explores the influence of Liverpool on The Beatles and Kicking and Screaming – the Football Show, which sweeps viewers on an up-to-date emotional journey of ‘the match’ as seen through the eyes of Red and Blue fans.
- From iconic Beatles suits and Merseybeat memorabilia, to a dreamy Lita Roza dress, incredible handbills from Eric’s nightclub and a display on Liverpool’s folk music scene, the gallery explores Liverpool’s enviable reputation for musical creativity.
Kate Johnson, Head of the Museum of Liverpool said:
“We’re incredibly excited to be reinstating the popular Wondrous Place gallery, with so many fabulous updates. Visitors can look forward to a vibrant, fascinating gallery, that take them to the heart of what makes Liverpool such a creative place.
“Wondrous Place will of course be celebrating the world-famous names, from The Beatles to Liverpool and Everton FC, but it will also explore lesser-known cultural creators; the writers, producers and performers of Merseyside that have helped craft the city’s sense of place in the world, how it and its people are seen.
“We are grateful to all those people, communities and organisations who have worked with us to reinstate this much-loved gallery with new and inspiring content.”
Wondrous Place was closed in 2018 to make way for the blockbuster exhibition, Double Fantasy John & Yoko (13 May 2018 to 03 November 2019), seen by almost 700,000 people, followed by Liverpool on Wheels (14 February 2020 to 3 January 2021).
For further information visit www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/wondrousplace
