Get ready for laughter, music, street theatre and family fun as the Serious Nonsense Festival returns to Prescot this summer, transforming the town centre into a playground of imagination and creativity with a flurry of Elizabethan foolishness.
Inspired by Knowsley’s connection to nonsense poet Edward Lear, who lived and worked at Knowsley Hall, and Prescot’s Elizabethan heritage, the festival promises a jam-packed programme of free entertainment, alongside a series of special events at Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Where and When
Friday 21 August 11.30am – 4pm
Saturday 22 August 11am – 6pm
Prescot Town Centre and Shakespeare North Playhouse
The festival begins on Friday 21 August with pop up performances and family activities dotted throughout Prescot, alongside special rhythm workshops at Shakespeare North Playhouse led by Holly Mallett, best known as Moxy from CBBC’s Andy and the Band.
The celebrations continue on Saturday 22 August with a full outdoor festival programme and a range of special events at Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Audiences can enjoy performances from Pop Vox Choir, Strawberry Fields Ukes, Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra, Flat Pack Opera, and Manchester rapper and spoken-word artist OneDa.
One of the festival’s headline attractions will be BLOCK by internationally acclaimed dance-circus company Motionhouse, a thrilling large-scale outdoor production featuring giant moving structures, breathtaking acrobatics and gravity-defying choreography.
At Shakespeare North Playhouse, families can step into the world of Edward Lear in Potty Plants with Edward Lear and Foss, His Curious Cat, while aspiring performers can take part in interactive Glamazon Prime workshops exploring improvisation and storytelling.
The evening programme includes The Rogue Shakespeare Experience, where award-winning poet Ryan J-W Smith creates Shakespearean sonnets live on stage from audience suggestions, before the festival rounds off with Glamazon Prime, an award-winning improvised musical comedy where audiences help create a brand-new musical in real time.
With live music, circus, comedy, theatre, workshops and family activities taking over the town centre and Shakespeare North Playhouse, the Serious Nonsense Festival promises another unforgettable celebration of creativity, community and joyful absurdity in the heart of Prescot.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said:
“The Serious Nonsense Festival has become one of Knowsley’s most loved cultural events, bringing together residents and visitors for a celebration of creativity, community and fun. We’re delighted to welcome another fantastic programme of performers to Prescot and look forward to seeing thousands of people enjoying everything the festival has to offer.”
Here’s what’s on…
Friday 21 August 11.30am – 4pm
Don’t miss pop up performances and family activities dotted throughout Prescot, alongside special rhythm workshops at Shakespeare North Playhouse led by Holly Mallett, best known as Moxy from CBBC’s Andy and the Band.
Flat Pack Opera
Henry VIII serenading Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh dueting with Anne of Cleaves. It’s opera as you’ve never seen before. Flat Pack Music is focused on changing the perception of and engagement with classical music, opera and the performing arts. Bringing communities together through music events and facilitating Wellbeing through music.
Bicycle Bistro – Tudor Tea Party
An acrobatic Tudor tea party performed on the back of a bicycle. Performed by internationally renowned street theatre performers, Circo Rum Ba Ba.
Holly Mallett Rhythm Workshops
Shakespeare North Playhouse 2pm and 4pm
“You don’t need a drum kit to be a drummer – you just need to feel the beat!”
Join Holly Mallet (Moxy in CBBC’s Andy & the Band) for a rhythm workshop like no other. Learn how to use your body as an instrument, discover the excitement of making noise in a group, and let out your inner drumming star! The workshop will start by learning basic rhythms, and culminate in an orchestra of sight and sound, using only the bodies in the room and everyday objects you can find around your home.
Saturday 22 August 11am – 6pm
The celebrations continue with a full outdoor festival programme and a range of special events at Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Pop Vox Choir
11am–11.30am Main Stage
12.30pm – 12.55pm Wrestling Ring
The fun and friendly choir returns to perform popular songs.
Strawberry Fields Ukes
11.30am–12.00pm Main Stage
Joyous community ukulele performance featuring Beatles classics.
Flat Pack Opera
12.05pm–12.25pm, 1pm–1.20pm, 2.30pm–2.45pm, 4.05pm–4.20pm
Various locations
Henry VIII serenading Anne Boleyn, Sir Walter Raleigh dueting with Anne of Cleaves. It’s opera as you’ve never seen before. Flat Pack Music is focused on changing the perception of and engagement with classical music, opera and the performing arts. Bringing communities together through music events and facilitating Wellbeing through music.
KPOP
Main Stage 1.15pm – 2.15pm
Baked A La Ska
Main Stage 2.20pm – 3pm and 4.50pm – 5.30pm
A super charged 11-headed ska monster on a rampage through the dance floors of the UK. A band of assembled oddballs and pranksters, Baked A La Ska also feature one of the tightest rhythm sections in Manchester with the “chops to make you drop”. The band have release four acclaimed albums showcasing their trademark mix of spaced out and spooky originals plus quirky covers that have been put through their ska machine.
Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra
3.45pm–4.15pm, 4.50pm–5.30pm Main Stage
A 13-piece swing band playing classic favourites from the 1930s through the Rat Pack years and beyond.
Dan the Fire Man
11.30am – 11.50am, 12.30pm – 1pm, 1.20pm – 1.34pm, 3.05pm – 3.30pm Deanes House
A fiery jester performing with a beautiful maiden and her harp.
Pam Sandwich
Wrestling Ring – throughout the day.
Don’t miss the Drag Idol UK finalist and phenomenal performer bring her powerhouse vocals and unforgettable energy to the stage!
OneDa
11.35am–11.55am, 1.20pm–1.35pm, 2.55pm–3.05pm, 4.30pm–4.40pm Wrestling Ring
Manchester-born producer, rapper and spoken-word artist performs a mixture of Hip-Hop, Drum & Bass and spoken word.
BLOCK by Motionhouse
12.30pm–1.15pm Cenotaph
Ten years on…BLOCK is back. Motionhouse presents a new, super-charged reimagining of this iconic show. With its daring physicality, split-second timing and gravity defying dance-circus, BLOCK will once again leave audiences on the edge of their seats. BLOCK is about life in the city – its contradictions and challenges. Twenty oversized blocks, resembling giant Jenga pieces, form an ever-changing environment as the story of BLOCK unfolds, with split-second timing and thrilling feats. Created and directed by Kevin Finnan. Original concept, design and production by Ali Williams. Originally produced and developed in collaboration with NoFit State.
Queen of Hearts
12pm–12.30pm Birdcage Stage
The Queen of Hearts is a mesmerising spectacle reimagining what happens in Wonderland when Alice is nowhere to be seen. A heartwarming street theatre show for all the family with a blend of acrobatics, aerial theatre and slapstick silliness. Follow the Queen and her subjects on a journey of heartbreak, horseplay, and friendship
Walkabout Entertainment around the Town Centre
Bicycle Bistro – Tudor Tea Party
11.30am–12pm, 2.30pm–3pm, 4.05pm–4.35pm
An acrobatic Tudor tea party performed on the back of a bicycle. Performed by internationally renowned street theatre performers, Circo Rum Ba Ba.
Bard Women
11.20am–11.50am, 1.30pm–2pm, 4.05pm–4.35pm
Engaging and delightful, Lady Mac and Mistress Much skillfully and comically re-enact beloved scenes and sonnets from William Shakespeare in homage to the bard, marking 400 years since his death. Brilliant, bold and ever-so-slightly bawdy.
Comic Shakespeare performance celebrating the Bard. Produced by SWANK, specialists in interactive character comedy.
Damsels in Distress
11am–11.30am, 12.40pm–1pm, 3pm–3.30pm
‘You’ve got your handsome prince – you couldn’t spare him could you?’ From the dark days of yore come ‘Lady Lust-a-Lot’ and ‘Lady Longing-for-Love’. Borne on the backs of ‘Eric and Ernie’ their delightfully drippy dragons, these ‘bootiful’ Westcountry damsels with their black teeth, spots and long gnarly hair are on a constant futile crusade to find their knights in shining armour and other little princes and princesses along the way.
Interactive medieval comedy walkabout. SWANK creates imaginative street entertainment and character comedy.
Knightly Nonsense
1pm–1.30pm, 2.30pm–3pm, 3.30pm–4pm
The King has sent forth two brave and fearless knights on a quest to travel the land and bring laughter and joy to all his subjects. Of course, great deeds will need to be accomplished; dragons tamed, princes rescued, and tea and crumpets saved. Oh, and don’t forget the grand tournament where the two unicycling knights joust it out for glory!
Knight-themed circus walkabout with unicycling and jousting from AWOL Circus Arts.
The Aristocrats
12.20pm–12.50pm, 1.45pm–2.15pm, 2.40pm–3.10pm, 4pm–4.30pm
This aristocratic Lord and Lady Pompous, straight out of the 18th Century, are all dressed up to the nines, with fabulous sculptural hairstyles, powdered faces, and gorgeous gowns. They are totally aghast at their surroundings and lost in their own aristocratic world. Their witty banter, and aloof attitudes entertain and amuse audiences. Curious to learn about the modern world they ask lots of questions and love having their photo taken.
Treemendous
Loveable lumbering Treemendous trees towering over guests, guaranteed to grab attention as well as create perfect photo opportunities. Fully mobile and armed with an arsenal of tree-mendous tree related humour the trees are guaranteed to be a hit.
Hodman Dodmanott and Sally Forth
12pm – 12.30pm, 2pm – 2.30pm
An extraordinary, beautiful and funny walkabout puppet act from the Flying Buttresses that draws in crowds wherever it goes. Hodman Dodmanott and Sally Forth are two tiny adventurers from the country of Oblivia, with a lot on their minds and even more on their backs. Join these elderly amblers as they set out to discover the modern world, meet strange and exciting new people, and search for a decent place to camp!
At Shakespeare North Playhouse
Potty Plants with Edward Lear and Foss, His Curious Cat – 11.30am & 1.15pm
Did you know that some of the world’s most famous nonsense poems were written in Prescot at Knowsley Hall? Step into the absurd world of Edward Lear, the master of nonsense verse and author of The Owl and the Pussycat. His faithful, grumpy, and beloved cat, Foss, needs your help to grow a brand-new, nonsense plant in their garden! In this interactive workshop, we’ll explore our local history and the playful rhythms and hilarious rhymes of Lear’s classic work. Then, it’s your turn, let your imagination run wild as you help us invent a new botanical marvel. Purrrfect for creative minds of all ages.
Glamazon Workshop 12pm
Have you ever heard of improvised theatre? Did you know it’s about using your imagination to make up stories on the spot!?
There’s no such thing as forgetting your lines or messing up the dance moves, as the ladies of Glamazon Prime invite you to join them for an hour of fully improvised fun and games.
Leap into a world of dinosaurs and mermaids, travel through space and time in a submarine, or simply sing a silly song about sausages. Anything is possible in improv. The only limit is your imagination!
Have you ever watched your favourite TV show and thought “I wish this had happened instead”? Maybe you’ve seen a movie and wondered what it might be like if it was set in space!
Well, with improvised theatre and your own imagination, you have the power to control scenes, songs and stories as they go along.
Glamazon Workshop 2pm
Run by the funny fem’s at Glamazon Prime, this hour-long workshop invites you to be co-writers and directors as you learn how to use improv to create new stories on the spot, in front of your eyes!
The Rogue Shakespeare Experience – 3pm & 6pm
Ever wanted to know how to be a poet? This brand new audience-interactive live show, starring OFFIE Award-winning poet-playwright, Ryan J-W Smith (aka ‘Rogue Shakespeare’), consists of various fun theatre games for the audience to demonstrate Smith’s skill at instantly writing perfectly structured rhyming iambic sonnets at lightning speed.
Smith is recognised as the world’s most prolific sonneteer in history, having written over 3,300 sonnets, and counting. His new book, Rogue Shakespeare’s Sonnets – Truth in Verse – Part One, that contains the first 1,000 of his sonnets, has just been published.
This show is highly educational and fun! Even teenagers will get involved as Smith will assign young volunteers from the audience to check that: i) he is not cheating by using AI; ii) his meter is accurate; iii) his rhymes are whole rhymes; iv) his sonnets are ‘cool’. Thus, humour, intelligent conversation, and some on-point political observations ensure something for everyone. The audience will also attempt (and most likely spectacularly fail) to write their own sonnets during the show – some of which may be recited – to much guaranteed hilarity!
Glamazon Prime – 7pm
Your new favourite musical is out for delivery… Have you ever found yourself watching your favourite movie, wishing it had more women and more songs? Well, you’re in luck. This all-fem dream-team are bringing you just what you ordered. Select your favourite film and watch us turn it into a musical. Package may contain: a sparkling new improvised musical comedy, from the cast of the critically acclaimed and award-winning Notflix. Age guidance 14+, occasional strong language.
