The wait is over as the Serious Nonsense Festival starts in Prescot today (Friday 21 August), bringing two days of music, street theatre, circus, comedy and family-friendly entertainment to the town centre and Shakespeare North Playhouse.
Inspired by Knowsley’s historic connection to nonsense poet Edward Lear, and the town’s Elizabethan heritage, the festival promises a packed programme of free outdoor events and special performances that will transform Prescot into a playground of imagination, creativity and fun.
Plan your visit
Here’s everything you need to know about the entertainment – and a full timetable to help you plan you visit.
Friday 21 August
Entertainment from 11.30am until 4pm around Prescot Town Centre and at Shakespeare North Playhouse
Today there’s fantastic live entertainment from Flat Pack Opera, where historical figures including Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn are brought to life through opera, and internationally renowned street theatre performers Circo Rum Ba Ba present their unique Tudor Tea Party, an acrobatic tea party performed on the back of a bicycle.
Keep an eye out for the magnificent Peacock, who will be strutting through the streets throughout the day, providing plenty of opportunities for photos and surprise encounters.
At Shakespeare North Playhouse, families can take part in creative activities including To Build Or Not To Build workshops, where budding storytellers can use Lego to build their own theatrical adventures, and rhythm workshops with Holly Mallett, known to many as Moxy from CBBC’s Andy & The Band (fully booked).
Saturday 22 August
Entertainment from 11am until 6pm in Prescot Town Centre and at Shakespeare North Playhouse
The fun continues with performances from Motionhouse’s spectacular BLOCK, an awe-inspiring dance-circus production featuring giant moving structures and gravity-defying acrobatics, alongside live music from Pop Vox Choir, Strawberry Fields Ukes, KPOP, Mr Swing’s Dance Orchestra, Baked A La Ska, OneDa and Flat Pack Opera.
Around the town centre, visitors can enjoy a host of walkabout performances, including Queen of Hearts, Knightly Nonsense, Damsels in Distress, Bard Women, The Aristocrats, Treemendous, Hodman Dodmanott and Sally Forth, The Elizabethans, The Animals and the chaotic Shakespeare-inspired comedy Kill Will.
There is also plenty happening at Shakespeare North Playhouse, including family workshops inspired by Edward Lear, The Rogue Shakespeare Experience, and the award-winning improvisational musical comedy Glamazon Prime.
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods, said:
“We’re delighted to welcome the Serious Nonsense Festival back to Prescot for another fantastic weekend of entertainment. The festival has become one of Knowsley’s most popular cultural events, bringing together residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy an incredible programme of performances, activities and creative experiences. We hope everyone comes along and joins in the fun.”
What’s on when?
Use the timetable below to plan your day and make sure you don’t miss any of your favourite acts!
You can also download a copy here.
