The Stage

Harvey and Nyman offer new work for Liverpool festival

Published Tuesday 7 November 2006 at 13:50 by Liz Thomas

Playwright Jonathan Harvey, composer Michael Nyman and dancer Akram Khan are among the artists booked to appear in the programme to mark Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture status in 2008.

The Liverpool Culture Company has unveiled its plans for the year-long celebrations, which will include showcases and performances from across the performing and visual arts.

In theatre, Harvey is bringing a new show to the Liverpool Playhouse tackling the issue of homosexuality across three generations of a Merseyside family, while the Everyman will premiere a new musical by Pete Wylie. Entitled Eric’s, it is based on the true story of the celebrated Mathew Street underground club. Liverpool Theatres are also in talks with Pete Postlethwaite about a working on potential production of King Lear.

Merseyside Dance Initiative will host a new showcase for diverse and new performance under the banner British Dance: Edition 2008, which will feature major companies from across the UK. Khan will also premiere his new piece at the MDI’s contemporary dance festival - also scheduled for that year. In addition, the programme features The Liverpool Sound - a pop concert that performed on a floating stage on the waterfront - that will be broadcast across the world.

Simon Rattle will bring the Berlin Philharmonic to the city and will lead the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic in the concert hall where he began his career. The orchestra will also perform new pieces from top composers including John Tavener, Brett Dean, Kenneth Hesketh and BBC Young Musician of the Year, Mark Simpson. Nyman’s new work explores European football culture and Liverpool’s contribution to it, as well as a memorial to the Hillsborough tragedy.

Gemma Bodinetz, artistic director at the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, said: “We are engaged in producing an extraordinary year of theatrical excellence for 2008. This will be drawn from the astonishing array of local writing and acting talent as well as partnerships with national and international theatre stars. It will see us build on our remarkable reputation for home produced work with an increase in “made in Liverpool” productions as well as building on the quality and range of touring companies from all around the world.”

The European Capital of Culture 2008 programme also sees highlights of new work on screen with the launch of the Film, Video and New Media Festival and in visual arts. Tate Liverpool celebrates its 20th birthday at the same time and will host a major exhibition of the works of Gustav Klimt.