PurpleDoor Liverpool

01/09/2024

As You Like It
27-29

01/09/2024

As You Like It - 2024
Heswall Hall 27-29 August

Production photos. Part 1.

31/08/2024

We've seen our fair share of last nights but these blues really kick. Why? Because this wasn't about a show but was always about building a family, finding a better way of lifting each other up and making it work together.

We didn't start this show with a plan, or a concept, or power, but with a vision to create together and to own together. Through that we created a show we are all incredibly proud of, which has delivered a profit to over 20 people, and which worked because it was about the ensemble and not the individual.

Choose who you spend your time with, what you create and who with. Can't wait to see this family again.

26/08/2024

We've been re-imagining Shakespeare for nearly 15 years, supporting the best undiscovered talent to create exceptional performances and bring these amazing stories to life. We can't wait to add a few more to the list next week.

Romeo and Juliet, 2012: Anna Armstrong as Juliet
Titus Andronicus 2011-2013: Rhiannon Wolff as Lavinia, Jason Carragher as Marcus
Hamlet, 2015: Katie King as Hamlet
Henry IV Parts I and II: Natasha Ryan as Lady Percy and Karl Falconer as Hotspur
Twelfth Night, 2014-2015: Jack Spencer as Sebastian and Rhea Little as Olivia
King John, 2022: Louise Wilson as Bastard, Meg Fielden as Lewis.
A Midsummer Night's Dream, 2010: Calum Green as Bottom
The Two Gentlemen of Verona, 2022: Luke Sookdeo as
King Lear, 2016: Paul Carmichael as Lear
The Merchant of Venice, 2016: Ensemble.

07/08/2024

As You Like It Heswall Hall 27-29 Aug 2024.

With bar and live music from 6.30pm and show at 7.30pm, this is Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before. Forget sitting in the dark and having to be quiet, this show is for everyone – and that means rewriting the rules and making it fun.

The production will be completely accessible, words will be projected in modern English so you can understand what’s going on and you won’t have to sit in silence.

“We think all theatre should be like this,” said a spokesman for the theatre company. “And just in case you were wondering, it’s ok to bring everyone – including your gran!”

PurpleDoor has previously toured the UK and Ireland and is supported by figures including Stephen Fry and Sir Ian McKellen.

One not to miss – the perfect way to shake off the cobwebs and bring Shakespeare to life.

Doors and bar 6.30pm

Main show 7.30pm- approx finish time 10pm

Concessions are under 16’s, senior citizens (over 65) and carers

09/07/2024

As You Like It is now on sale 🥳
Shakespeare's romantic comedy comes to the Wirral this August as part of our radical co-created production highlighting some of the regions' best talent. It's our 42nd production and our 13th Shakespeare, so we reckon we know a thing or two by now!
27-29 August. Tickets in bio or at www.heswallhall.co.uk or by ringing 0151 342 2614.

08/05/2024

📣 GIVEAWAY!
To celebrate one year since our book was published we're giving away two free copies (RRP £29.99)!

This book brings together everything you will ever need to run a theatre company which lasts, including a whole chapter on festivals for those of you gearing up for

To be in with a chance simply like and share this post. Winner will be announced on 1st June. Good luck!

29/04/2024

Show number 43 here we go.
Yep, we're old.

23/04/2024

Happy Birthday Shakespeare! 🎂
To celebrate, here's our next show. Coming this August. We're finally going to Arden after all this time.

22/03/2024

Come and spend your summer making with us as we embark on an ambitious journey to explore how we can make theatre work for everyone 🎭

23/01/2024

Great to finally get our hands on this with contributions from PurpleDoor, thinking about how we use Shakespeare in education. Lots of chat about our work and young actors company and super exciting to be amongst such esteemed company. Available from Arden Shakespeare now!

23/01/2024

Fancy directing Shakeapeare with us this year? No experience necessary, just a commitment to doing things differently and making exciting work for our audiences. DM us to get involved!

24/04/2023

20/04/2023

My book is now available for pre-order! 🥳
LINK BELOW
Use the discount code: SMA33 for 20% off until 31st May.

When I started out in 2008 I had no idea how to run a theatre company. The 'business' and 'finance' side of things intimidated me and there was no central, easy to understand resource which broke it down, told me the pitfalls to avoid, how to do things properly and how to make a success of starting and growing a company.

This book aims to fill that gap. It's the culmination of fifteen years of silly mistakes and hard won successes. Its your how-to-guide designed to be there from the first day until the day you eventually decide to move on. It's designed to make you realise you can do it, and to consider the reasons why you should. It's also designed to bring you a dose of reality and force innovative thinking in a world which does not need any more theatre.

I built PurpleCoat, then PurpleDoor, without going to drama school and with £10 in the bank. We started in the wake of the financial crisis with no connections or experience. It has never been more difficult to create theatre, and those who are surviving are privileged, connected, white and middle-class. This book aims to change that.

It is also an excellent door stop, burns well for fire and would do a good job of knocking me out if you hurled it at me in the street. Whatever your choice, make sure you get it with 20% off.

29/03/2023

Come and see!

27/03/2023

A new writing double-bill from Bus Stop Productions.

27/03/2023

What's coming up this month at PurpleDoor? - https://mailchi.mp/7899ba77d382/whats-coming-up-this-month-at-purpledoor-16756232

20/03/2023

Prepare to be shocked.
Joe Orton's dark masterpiece opens at 11th April and 23rd April.

13/03/2023

Strap yourself in for Joe Orton’s dark masterpiece, Loot, a farce so outrageous it was heavily censored for over fifty years. But not any more! Uproarious slapstick meets shocking morals as two young friends stash the proceeds of a bank robbery in an occupied coffin, attempting to hide their spoils from the attentions of a psychopathic policeman, a gold-digging nurse and a grieving widower.

The ensuing black comedy shocked and delighted audiences in equal measure when the play premiered five decades ago, winning the Evening Standard Best Play award.

Joe Orton's black farce 'Loot' comes to 11-13 April before a final performance at the 23rd April.

Tickets are already shifting so get yours before they're gone!

03/02/2023

Just over a week until we welcome our first guest show, Think Me In Circles. Its a gorgeous
Preview we cant wait to see.
Who's coming? 🔥

27/01/2023

Every time we've staged work by Harold Pinter it has been a resounding success. He's undoubtedly our favourite playwright, his work is unmatched, and we can't wait to be back with just a little bit more this weekend. We'd love you to come and join our little nightmare.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-of-harold-pinter-tickets-502627681927

25/01/2023

We are SO EXCITED to be performing again this Sunday - get your pay-what-you-can tickets now!
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/502627681927

20/01/2023

What's coming up this month at PurpleDoor? - https://mailchi.mp/13f7eeb4079d/whats-coming-up-this-month-at-purpledoor

16/01/2023

We loved launching our new acting ensemble last night - it's not too late to join us on the Wirral.
https://www.thedoorisopen.co.uk/get-involved/

12/01/2023

VISITING SHOW ALERT
We are beyond delighted to reveal our first supported artist at PurpleDoor. On 12th February ARSIC will present their new work 'Think Me In Circles,' a touching personal story about a mother coming to terms with the su***de of her adult daughter.

Think Me In Circles explores inter-dimensional qualities merging dream-like symbolic visuals, physical theatre, puppetry and live music.

This is a Vault Festival preview and ARSIC are keen for audience feedback on helping develop the work further.

All tickets PWYC - on sale now.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/think-me-in-circles-tickets-513841252017

11/01/2023

'It was funny, up to a point. And it's because of that point that I wrote it.' Harold Pinter

For one night only we present an eclectic collection of Harold Pinter's sketches, monologues and one-act work. Discover the darkness and the insanity of his genius. Link for tickets in our bio. Pay-what-you-can.

09/01/2023

Theatre makers! Bring your work to our space.

We don't do hire fees but we DO:

-Dramaturgical support
-Audience feedback
-Show filming

Develop your work in a risk free space and work with us to grow your voice. Visit our website or DM for more.

04/01/2023

Kicking off our takeover of The West Kirby Arts Centre, join us on Sunday 29th January for an evening of Harold Pinter's sketches and one act work. An amazing ensemble of local talent perform Pinter's darkest, funniest and most political work for one night only!

Pay-what-you-can - ticket link in bio!