Music, Theatre, Comedy and Family Shows Slated for Epstein Theatre This October

Great music, theatre, comedy and family entertainment all combine to make the Epstein Theatre the only place to be this October.

With half-term on the horizon, there are a pair of fantastic family-friendly shows being staged at the Hanover Street venue to delight youngsters of all ages.

Firstly, it's over to the madcap boffins of TV hit Brainiac Live, who drop in to the Epstein for an afternoon of wild, weird and wonderful experimental fun on Thursday October 26. Strap on your safety goggles for one of the most volatile live shows of the season, featuring exploding dustbins and combusting microwaves.

And then following the science and daredevil stunts, young theatregoers are invited to put on their Ruby Slippers, click their heels and follow the yellow brick road as the hugely popular The Wizard of Oz comes to the theatre for three days from Friday October 27 to Sunday October 29.

The enchanting Regal Entertainments panto production stars Cheryl Fergison (Heather Trott in EastEnders) as the Wicked Witch of the West, and BBC Pitch Battle star and singing sensation Maddie Hope Coelho is Dorothy. X Factor star David Heath plays the Scarecrow, the charismatic Philip McGuiness is the Tinman and hilarious Richard Hazlewood transforms in to the Cowardly Lion.

October is also proving a busy month for music fans, with no fewer than five must-see shows to suit every musical taste.

10CC's Graham Gouldman is at the Epstein on Tuesday October 3 with Heart Full of Songs, which he formed six years ago purely for the pleasure of playing his songs in the simplest form possible - acoustically. The Salford-born songwriter comes to Liverpool as part of a national tour.

Darkside Performing the Pink Floyd Show is a tribute to the iconic British prog rock band. The Any Colour You Like tour has proved incredibly popular at the Epstein and the Saturday October 7 performance has now sold out.

It's followed by a tribute to another musical legend, as Stewart D'Arrietta and six talented professional musicians present My Leonard Cohen, from Friday October 13 to Sunday October 15. The show has garnered glowing reviews at Fringe festivals in both Edinburgh and Adelaide.

There's a chance to spice up your life on Thursday October 19 when the biggest girl band of all time is celebrated in Wannabe - the Spice Girls Story. Relive those heady girl power days with all the group's biggest hits, including 2 Become 1, Say You'll Be There and Who Do You Think You Are?

And audiences won't want to miss The Pies + Mark Roberts on Friday October 20. Liverpool's legendary graffiti band is set to play a rare live set at the Epstein following up on the release of their Best of Pies album. They will be supported by the world's greatest streaker, Mark Roberts, doing a stand-up spot.

Outrageous American 'comedian, magician, psychopath' Jerry Sadowitz pays a visit to the theatre on Thursday October 5 in a show that's for strictly over 18s only.

The entertainment continues with Jamie Somers & Friends who present variety at its best when they join forces for a show on Sunday October 8. The evening features Searchin (Europe's best Searchers tribute), James Franklyn (the soul man), Frankie Allen (takes funny to new heights), George Gallagher (UK's Swing King) and more, including Jamie himself.

And variety is also the name of the game on Sunday October 22 when none other than Royle Family patriarch Ricky Tomlinson presents two performances of Comedy, Country & Conversation at the Epstein.

Ricky will be joined on stage by showbiz talent including Lee Roy James (singer, songwriter of Hillsborough Anthem, Tragedy, Forever in our Hearts), Tony Barton (Coronation Street, Last of The Summer Wine), Baby Faced Beatles, Gary Layton and other guest artists.

Theatre manager, Rebekah Pichilingi, said: "Whatever tickles your fancy, there's a lot to look forward to in October, from panto to The Pies, and Jerry Sadowitz to The Spice Girls. It should make it an interesting month at the Epstein and we're looking forward to sharing what is a packed programme with our audiences."

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10CC's Graham Gouldman & Heart Full of Songs

Date: Tuesday October 3

Time: 8pm

Tickets: £27

Jerry Sadowitz - Comedian, Magician, Psychopath!

Date: Thursday October 5

Time: 8pm

Tickets: £22.50

Darkside Performing the Pink Floyd Show - SOLD OUT

Date: Saturday October 7

Jamie Somers & Friends

Date: Sunday October 8

Time: 2pm

Tickets: £15

My Leonard Cohen

Date: Friday 13 - Sunday October 15

Time: 8pm Fri and Sat/ 6pm Sunday

Tickets: From £16

Wannabe - The Spice Girls Show

Date: Thursday October 19

Time: 8pm

Tickets: Adults £19.50/ Concessions £17.50.

The Pies + Mark Roberts

Date: Friday October 20

Time: 8pm

Tickets: £16

Comedy, Country and Conversation with Ricky Tomlinson

Date: Sunday October 22

Time: 2pm and 7.30pm

Tickets: £12.50 (2pm) and £15 (7.30pm)

Brainiac Live

Date: Thursday October 26

Time: 2pm

Tickets: Adults £15/ Concessions £13

The Wizard of Oz

Date: Friday 27 - Sunday October 29

Time: 6pm (Friday), 10.30am, 1pm and 6pm (Saturday), 12noon and 4pm (Sunday).

Tickets: From £13

To book tickets please call 0844 888 4411* or go online at www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk * or in person at The Epstein Theatre Box Office from 2pm - 6pm Monday - Thursday and 12pm-6pm Friday - Saturday.

*Subject to booking fee. All prices include a £1 per ticket venue restoration levy

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join our mailing list. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre and twitter @EpsteinTheatre.

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The Epstein Theatre (formerly known as The Neptune) was originally opened as Crane's Music Hall in 1911, and was a popular location for recitals and performances. It was renamed Crane Theatre in 1938. In 1967 the theatre was purchased from the Cranes by Liverpool Corporation, who decided that the theatre should be run by local people for local people and was named The Neptune Theatre. The Neptune also became a Comedy Club and after many years of uncertainty about the future of the theatre, it eventually closed in 2005. In July 2011, a £1million refurbishment of the theatre was completed which saw the Hanover Street venue brought up to 21st century standards and renamed 'The Epstein Theatre' in honour of former Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who guided the Fab Four from popular cellar act to global superstardom. The management contract was up for tender and was won by the well-established team behind Liverpool's annual Sound City Music Festival. The Theatre was officially opened on Wed 9th May 2012. Now an independent company Epstein Theatre Ltd, the venue has grown to become of the key venues for arts and live entertainment in the city with a strong programme of comedy, plays, live music and children's productions. The venue can also be hired out for private functions, weddings and conferences.

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