Prepare for a weekend of laughter, music, and jaw-dropping performances as the Serious Nonsense Festival reveals its full programme for 2025. Set to take over Prescot on Saturday 23 August, this year’s festival promises a spectacular mix of the sublime, the silly, and the downright unforgettable.
From the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden to the streets of Prescot, the festival is a celebration of all things playful and peculiar. This year’s line-up is packed with talent that will have you cheering, dancing, and maybe even gasping in disbelief.
Music That’s Anything But Serious
Music lovers are in for a treat with a diverse range of acts on our main stage and and new wrestling ring stage on Leyland Street. Get ready to stomp your feet with Baked A La Ska, an 11-piece ska band rampaging on stage with their trademark mix of spaced-out originals and quirky covers.
And bringing a touch of classy yet crunchy cabaret to the festival is Queen Beyard, a live singer, entertainer, and hostess who delights audiences in her own stunningly unique style
For a different kind of beat, Splintered Ukes brings the “unexpected” with four ukuleles, a bass, and a drum kit, playing banging tunes that will have everyone dancing along. Pop Vox Choir, known as the most professional amateur choir in the UK, will delight audiences with a catalogue of crowd-pleasing hits, new and old. And for those who love the classics with a twist, Flat Pack Music will introduce new audiences to classical music and opera in a truly accessible way.
Don’t miss the foot-stomping energy of Silk Street Jazz, a dynamic band bringing toe-tapping Dixieland classics and New Orleans rhythms. For a more soulful sound, amateur players from Strawberry Fields Uke will share their love of music and life.
Unbelievable Acts and Physical Feats
The festival isn’t just for your ears—it’s for your eyes, too! Get ready for the hard-hitting action of Futureshock Wrestling, Manchester’s home-grown independent wrestling company that has been wowing fans for three decades. For a different kind of physical prowess, Powered by Hip Hop will showcase an energetic breakdance battle featuring B-Boys and B-Girls from across the region.
Prepare to be amazed by internationally renowned Motion House’s hit dance-circus production, WILD, which explores humanity’s disconnect with the natural world through gravity-defying physicality. You can also catch the acrobatic performance of High Tea (With A Twist), a dazzling display of dance and circus above a beautifully set tea table.
And for those who like a little danger, the “twisted fire starter” Danielle De La Wonk will perform a high-energy show with poi, fans, and hula hoops—so hold on to your eyebrows!
The festival also brings Tea Club, a strolling dance theatre piece celebrating Britain’s love of tea with two eccentric tea ladies.
Family Fun and Laughter at Shakespeare North Playhouse
As well as the outdoor programme, Shakespeare North playhouse are playing host to a series of ticketed events throughout the day.
Tmesis Theatre presents Up & Away in the Sir Ken Dodd Performance Garden. An interactive show for all ages that celebrates hope and dreaming the impossible.
Fancy Pants will be on hand for “clown interaction” and games with visitors throughout the Playhouse building.
And get ready for a storytelling adventure where you help create the story! Join Story Play with Lucy for a fast, funny, and totally unpredictable show full of games, laughter, and surprises.
Later in the evening, head to the Cockpit Theatre for a special night of stand-up comedy with Serious Nonsense with Dan Nightingale & Friends, featuring headliner Dan Nightingale and support from Kay Nicholson.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “This year’s Serious Nonsense Festival is shaping up to be our most exciting yet. We are incredibly proud to bring such a vibrant and diverse line-up of performers to Prescot, showcasing everything from high-energy ska and professional wrestling to world-class dance and comedy.
“The festival is a fantastic opportunity for our community and visitors alike to come together, have fun, and experience something truly unique. We can’t wait to see the joy and laughter that these incredible acts will bring to our streets and venues.”
Tickets for all of these events can be booked online at: Serious Nonsense Festival 2025 | Shakespeare North Playhouse
With a line-up as diverse as this, the 2025 Serious Nonsense Festival promises a weekend full of unforgettable moments. So, what are you waiting for? Get ready to embrace the nonsense!
See the full line up at: The Serious Nonsense Festival 2025 – Culture Knowsley
