Lovingly conceived by Unity’s Artistic Director Eli Randle when she first took the post in March 2024, ‘A Radical Reimagining’ is coming to life this May & June as an official National Lottery Heritage Fund project. Exploring over 200 boxes of archives dating back to the 1930s, audiences can look forward to a series of events – spanning theatre, art, live music, performances and workshops – culminating in Unity’s very own production STAGE LEFT, which tells the story of the theatre’s bold and rebellious past.
Celebrating nearly 100 years of political and grassroots theatre, Unity Theatre has firmly established itself as the beating heart of Liverpool’s thriving radical theatre community. Unity’s Heritage Project truly represents how the arts is a vital force for social change, offering a rare opportunity to explore the building’s rich and storied history.
“I was thinking about what Unity stood for, why it exists and how none of its rich history isn’t present in our building or archived, and so decided to create this project which looks at that past and also to the future through new work with young people. The heritage is a testament to the role of the arts in fostering social awareness and political dialogue and it is a privilege to be able to explore this through the project” Eli Randle, Artistic Director of Unity Theatre.
Unity Theatre was established in the 1930s – originally as Merseyside Left Theatre – when workers’ movements and political unrest was prevalent across the UK. In 1944, the theatre group then joined forces with The Unity Theatre movement – a national theatrical initiative that produced politically left-wing works by and for working class audiences.
Today, Unity Theatre is the only surviving member of that movement, and the organisation continue its mission with the same sentiment dating back to the 1930s – investing in local work, emerging artists and theatre companies – and producing high-quality radical and ground-breaking theatre.
At a time when the world faces increasing uncertainty and inequality through a number of conflicts, humanitarian and ecological crises, Unity Theatre’s history as a platform for resistance and social change has never felt more relevant. The project reflects a deep commitment to honouring the building’s legacy in the city whilst creating innovative and groundbreaking theatre that champions diverse voices and engages local communities – all in aid of creating a more inclusive and forward-thinking society.
“I’m delighted to announce A Radical Reimagining, Unity’s major heritage project, bringing together exhibitions, events and performances that celebrate our radical past while championing the next generation of theatre-makers shaping our future. Exploring archives that date back to the 1930s has been truly inspiring, and it’s equally exciting to be creating new work that continues this legacy.”
Eli Randle, Unity Theatre’s Artistic Director
STAGE LEFT
– Thursday 4th June – Saturday 6th June –
Created in-house at the Unity, this new performance dives into the theatre’s bold and rebellious past. From its roots as Merseyside Left Theatre in the 1930s to the vibrant creative home we inhabit today, A Radical Reimagining brings decades of radical storytelling roaring back to life. Through dynamic performance, powerful voices, and striking moments from the past, we celebrate a legacy of theatre made for the people. Expect a journey through protest, passion, and creativity, a reminder that this stage has always belonged to those with something to say.
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