Liverpool’s Capstone Theatre has launched another exciting season with audiences treated to a whole host of performances and events throughout the coming autumn months. Featuring the finest music, dance and theatre from across the world, The Capstone’s impressive and eclectic programme proves why it is still one of the best international arts venues around.
The season begins on Saturday 20th September with a performance from guitar legend Steve Howe. Best known for his days with progressive rock band, YES, Steve Howe plays some of his more familiar pieces alongside new tunes and some he’s picked up along the way. Continuing The Capstone’s music programme this September is Perri and Neil Quartet – The Blue Project on Friday 26th September. The quartet will perform, in full, Joni Mitchell’s classic 1971 album Blue. Rounding up September is Milapfest presents Partha Bose on Saturday 27 September. This free afternoon event includes a performance from the highly acclaimed Sitar player Partha Bose, who has enthralled audiences for over two decades with his contemporary Hindustani classical music and emotional expression.
October will see a unique blend of music, theatre and dance encapsulating The Capstone, bringing diverse and ambitious entertainment to Liverpool. Drummer Dylan Howe’s Subterraneans – New Design On Bowie’s Berlin featuring Andy Sheppard brings together beautiful ‘re-imaginings’ of compositions from David Bowie’s late 70s Berlin albums on Friday 3rd October. Following that is the Bill Laurance Project, presented by The Capstone Theatre and ParrJazz on Saturday 4th October. One of the most eagerly anticipated Jazz albums of the year; it brings together classical and jazz styles in an exciting new context performed with a full orchestra. Returning to The Capstone is Mario Pirovano performing Francis the Holy Jester by Dario Fo on Monday 6th October. This is a show without props, scenery and with minimal costume, showcasing the sheer talent of solo performer Pirovano as he recreates the event where St Francis addressed over 5000 people in Bologna’s main square resulting in warring factions embracing lasting peace for the first time in many years.
On Monday 13th October, the U.K. Touring Theatre in association with Redbridge Drama Centre presents A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen. Later that week, the highly respected Delta Saxophone Quartet will perform on Friday 17th October. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, the quartet mark this milestone with a new work by Mark-Anthony Turnage and Gwilym Simcock. Another musician comes to The Capstone on Saturday 18th October, John Etheridge and special guest Kit Holmes present an uplifting evening of blues, folk, jazz and African grooves. For guitar players of all abilities, old and young, why not gain some expert tips and advice at the pre-show guitar workshop which will help workshop participants with technique, musicianship and performance skills before heading to the stage themselves!
Towards the end of October programme is the Turning Worlds Dance Company with their production, Quantum on Monday 20th October. This complex choreographic system plays with the boundaries of science, art, the self and the environment, dance and music creating a truly mesmerising performance. For lovers of darkly humorous tales, Immersion Theatre’s The Taming of the Shrew comes to The Capstone Theatre for one night only on Wednesday 22nd October. Their adaptation of one of William Shakespeare’s most controversial comedies draws together three criminal dynasties in a riotous, testosterone-fuelled struggle for power, money and love.
Milapfest presents another afternoon of Indian music on Saturday 25th October with Tarang: A New Beginning. This unique ensemble of young British musicians are redefining Indian music whilst effortlessly capturing the essence of India. Sonic Interactions presents a variety of electroacoustic works from the contemporary repertoire on Monday 27th October. Featuring a range of U.K. based composers and student works from Liverpool Hope, the concert will immerse the audience in new sonic environments. Finally in October, Travelled Companions present Where Caterpillars Go on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30th October. This playful adventure is set in a wild and magical paper garden aimed at children under 5 and their families.
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic short story about the cursed House of Usher, Sound Affairs presents The Fall of the House of Usher on Monday 3 November. The film is accompanied by a live chamber orchestra performing a new score by Charlie Barber. Enjoy an evening with legendary former Byrd’s frontman, Roger McGuinn on Saturday 8th November. This show draws upon McGuinn’s extensive back catalogue including some of The Byrds defining hits and his Grammy nominated project, Treasures from the Folk Den. On Sunday 9th November, enjoy the world music of Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt and Pt. Rajkumar Misra with Music for Peace and Love.
The autumn programme continues on Friday 14th November as Milapfest and The Capstone Theatre present, Sonia Sabri Company: Jugni, this is an explosion of dance and music with soaring live vocals and percussion alongside powerful contemporary choreography driven by the passion in folkloric dance styles. Meanwhile, ARC (Ian Boddy and Mark Shreeve) veterans of the U.K. electronic music scene come to The Capstone Theatre for only their sixth ever concert in the U.K. on Saturday 15th November. This rare performance is the perfect chance for electronic music lovers to hear ARC’s new material and tracks from their recently released CD Umbra.
Bennie Maupin Quartet harks back to the tradition of great saxophone-bass-drum trios and plays at The Capstone Theatre on Sunday 16th November. Join them for an evening of profound and atmospheric jazz sounds. The Sand Dog Cometh, written, directed and performed by Mary Pearson, comes to on Tuesday 18th November. A multi-disciplinary solo production, The Sand Dog Cometh pays homage to the avant-garde and experimental, to kitsch, shtick and academia, to snobbery, trash T.V. and easy laughs.
Neil Campbell, Capstone Theatre Venue Manager said “Alongside the usual innovative music concerts in which the venue continues to champion jazz, experimental, contemporary classical and world music, there is to be an excellent range of theatre and contemporary dance performances including Indian dance with live music from famed choreographer Sonia Sabri (Jugni) and children’s theatre performances (Where Caterpillars Go) during half term. The musical highlights include solo concerts by Yes guitarist Steve Howe and from Byrds’ front man Roger McGuinn, and groove laden jazz courtesy of Snarky Puppy’s Bill Laurance and from jazz/funk legend Bennie Maupin (Miles Davis/Herbie Hancock). Plenty to put in the diary and look forward to.”
The Cornerstone Arts Festival 2014 runs from Friday 21st November to Saturday 29th November and this year marks its fourteenth anniversary at Liverpool Hope University. Hosted as usual at the Creative Campus, this year’s festival brings together music, drama, dance and art lovers to enjoy a week-long series of events featuring world-class artists as well as rising talents in a unique setting at the very heart of a city like no other.
Starting the Cornerstone Arts Festival with a flourish is Venice’s Janus Face on Friday 21st November. This glamorous musical show captures the ambivalent history and cultural heritage of Venice long before composer Vivaldi’s Four Seasons concertos and long after they were trying to get to grips with Venice’s slow but inevitable decadence. Beauty of the Beast is inspired by observations and theories of identities and live at The Capstone Theatre on Saturday 22nd November. It explores how men’s commitment to groups is so strong that it becomes part of their identity. It aims to get under the skin of group members to unpack the physicality and intimacy of peer pressure and tribalism to draw more universal conclusions about male-male relationships.
The Uprooted Theatre Company presents Around the World in 80 Days on Tuesday 25th November. This new adaptation of the 1873 novel is an entertaining and refreshing take on the Jules Verne’s classic tale of adventure and self-discovery. On Friday 28th November enjoy an evening of classical music as the Liverpool Hope University Orchestra and Choir perform Joseph Haydn’s The Creation at this Choral Concert. Finally rounding off this incredible festival and season of entertainment at the Capstone is Flight to Arras on Saturday 29th November. Written and performed by Simon Piasecki, Flight to Arras is a poetic and moving retelling of the penultimate flights and autobiographic thoughts of Antoine de Saint-Exupery.
To book tickets call TicketQuarter Box Office: 0844 8000 410* or online at www.ticketquarter.co.uk* or in person: TicketQuarter, Queen Square, Liverpool, L1 1RG.
*Subject to booking fee.
Tickets for Cornerstone Festival events can be purchased online from http://store.hope.ac.uk or alternatively at the Cornerstone Arts Festival Box Office, 45 minutes before the start of each event, Liverpool Hope University Creative Campus, 17 Shaw Street, L6 1HP.
Please note Cornerstone Festival tickets are not available from TicketQuarter.