Liverpool Empire Youth Theatre presents the Little Shop of Horrors

THE Liverpool Empire Creative Learning team is proud to present the Youth Theatre's production of Little Shop of Horrors. A cast of talented young people from the local area, working with a professional creative team will star in a devilishly delicious production based on the cult Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash comedy musical.

Senior Creative Learning Manager Natalie Flynn said:- "Little Shop of Horrors is a fun and uplifting story with a few twists and turns along the way. The performers' dedication and hard work is an inspiration to see, they genuinely love being a company and the standard of their performance and professionalism throughout has been wonderful to see. It's the 1st time we've performed this title so we're very excited to put our own spin on it."

The Empire's Youth Theatre company works under the guidance of industry professionals, which enables them to experience a professional environment, preparing them for the world of work within the theatre industry and many of those involved go on to pursue professional careers in performing arts. The company has been meeting regularly and working hard in preparation of the full-scale musical, which plays at the Empire Theatre, from:- 26 August to 27 August 2022.

Youth Theatre member Olivia, aged 16, said:- "This is my 1st year in the youth company. I am really enjoying seeing the show come together at each rehearsal, and seeing each individual performer thrive, and the hard work that goes into the show from the creative team and the company. I'm very excited for the public to see what we have created!"

Natalie Flynn added:- "Being a part of the Youth Theatre is a wonderfully supportive experience. As well as providing a valuable insight into the professional theatre industry, it also has a positive effect on mental health for all involved and it's been wonderful to see the entire company developing those transitional skills that will help them when pursuing a professional career in future, be that in the arts or beyond."

Little Shop of Horrors has devoured the hearts of theatregoers for over 40 years. The story follows the meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn, who stumbles across a new breed of plant he names:- 'Audrey II' after his co-worker crush. This foul mouthed, R&B singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn, as long as he keeps feeding it blood! Over time, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!

This amateur production is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International. Book and Lyrics by Howard Ashman. Music by Alan Menken. Based on the film by Roger Corman, Screenplay by Charles Griffith.

Originally produced by the WPA Theatre (Kyle Renick, Producing Director). Originally produced at the Orpheum Theatre, New York City by the WPA Theatre, David Geffen, Cameron Mackintosh and the Shubert Organization.

Original Vocal Arrangements by Robert Billig. New Arrangements by Michael Kosarin. Orchestrations by Danny Troob. Puppets designed by Martin P. Robinson. Copyright ©1982 by Martin P Robinson. All Rights Reserved.

All authorised performance materials are supplied by MTI:- MTIShows.Co.UK.

Researchers launch innovative exhibition to celebrate Natural England's 70th Anniversary

AN interactive new art exhibition created by researchers from Edge Hill University is travelling to nature reserves across the North West to mark Natural England's 70th birthday. The 'From the Land to the Sky' exhibition forms part of Natural England's 70th Anniversary celebrations to help visitors understand what disadvantaged communities have to say about the natural environment.  Professor of Culture, Communication and Screen Studies, Claire Parkinson has brought together artists and disadvantaged groups to produce artworks examining what animals can teach us about our landscapes. Together they explored farms, nature reserves, and allotments to consider the different ways in which people and other species make sense of the world.

Professor Parkinson, who is also Director of the University's Centre for Human Animal Studies (CfHAS), said:- "1 of the reasons we have a climate crisis is that we only think about things from our human perspective. This project builds on research undertaken by members of the Edge Hill's CfHAS which explores our interconnections with other species and highlights the problems of adopting a wholly human centred view of the world. This exhibition is about landscape stories from local communities that imagine interactions with other species, consider the wider environment that we are part of, and make connections between humans and the natural world."

Using installations, video, sculpture, photography and paintings, the exhibition conveys different landscapes that imagine connections between humans and other species. They use multispecies storytelling to capture the voices of marginalised communities and disadvantaged groups; those who don't usually have a say in decisions about landscapes and landscape use.

The artworks has been be on display at Hindley Library and Community Centre and will now move to Ainsdale Sand Dunes Natural Nature Reserve, from:- 1 August to 8 August 2022; then to Leighton Moss RSPB Nature Reserve, from:- 9 August to 15 August; 2022, and Art Gene Gallery, Barrow in Furness, from:- 12 September to 12 October 2022.

Mike Downey, Natural England's Senior Adviser for National Nature Reserves said:- "It has been fantastic working with Edge Hill to help showcase this project through some of the reserves in the Region. The exhibitions offer a great opportunity for communities to connect with nature and our reserves in different ways, and it's a pleasure to be able to support this as part of our summer long Festival of National Nature Reserves."

The project was funded by the UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) Landscape Decisions funding programme.

It involved Edge Hill colleagues Professor Brett Mills, Dr Lara Herring and Dr Hannah Parathian, as well as Professor Candice Satchwell from the University of Central Lancashire. They engaged with a wide range of community groups, including:- Royal Cross Primary School, Furness College, Autus, Burscough Community Farm, and Learning Stars. 
 
Edge Hill's Centre for Human Animal Studies was the 1st research centre of its kind in Europe and is an interdisciplinary forum for research and activities that engage with the complex material, ethical and symbolic relationships between humans, other animals, and their environments.
 
CfHAS brings together scholars from the arts and humanities, social sciences and natural sciences to examine how rethinking our relations with animals can create meaningful social, policy, environmental, ethical and cultural change. 
 
To discover more about our courses, please visit:- Ehu.AC.UK/Study.