Culture Unconfined

Culture Unconfined brings together inspiring cultural activity drawn from the creative spaces of film, drama, music, and poetry from across the UK and Ireland.

The University of Liverpool created this online festival as a civic-led response to the Covid-19 crisis.

In these difficult times, access to cultural and creative activities is more important than ever, both for audiences and performers.

Running between 11 and 15 May 2020, Culture Unconfined features film, performance, music, poetry and more, to remind us that life goes on, in all its glory, and the creative spirit will endure.

Professor Dame Janet Beer, Vice Chancellor of the University of Liverpool, welcomes you to Culture Unconfined

Professor Dinah Birch, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Cultural Engagement welcomes you to the festival

Explore all the performances below.

Monday 11 May

A Museum For Me

10am. Imagine a museum made just for you and by you …. Imagine your life story displayed in your national museum … portrayed as theatre, poetry, art … heard by a truth commission… Welcome to ‘A Museum for Me’, where these things happen! Activities and performances for children and adults.

Gerald Barry

11am. An exciting opportunity to get a close up look into the creative process of world-renowned orchestral and operatic composer Gerald Barry from his home as he works on his new opera based on Oscar Wilde’s Salome for Los Angeles .

Roisin Walters: Irish Traditional meets Bach’s Partitas

1pm. Accomplished, renowned and award-winning violinist Roisin Walters gives one of her exciting performances for Culture Unconfined.

Red Fox Theatre: The Making of Catch of the Day

4pm. Red Fox Theatre present a radio documentary on the making of their debut production, 'Catch of the Day', focusing on the political elements of the story, their interviews with those from the Dingle community and culminating in their comic musical retelling of Anglo-Irish history.

Deirdre Ní Chonghaile: Live

1pm. Join musician, broadcaster, and writer Dr Deirdre Ní Chonghaile as she shares the story of sean-nós song among the Irish diaspora as documented in the Rev. Murphy Collection from Sligo to Pennsylvania.

Spanner in the Works Theatre presents 'What If…'

4pm. How many times have we all said what if? Based on the Shankill Road bombing of 1993, follow the heart-breaking story of a mother’s loss and her strength to honour her daughter. This performance is not suitable for children under 14.

Ian Prowse

7pm. From his influential bands Pele and Amsterdam to his more recent hugely popular solo material, Ian has been a giant on the local and national music scene for decades. Don’t miss this performance from the great man himself.

Lunchtime Concert: Jamie Kenny

1pm. Jamie is Associate Principal Double Bass with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic. Join him as he plays a selection of music as part of our Lunchtime Concerts series.

DoubleBand Films present 'Maradona: Kicking the Habit'

4pm. A divisive figure for many this side of the Atlantic, this 60-minute documentary explores why legendary footballer Diego Maradona is revered as such a hero to the Argentinean people.

MakeyUppers presents 'Alternative Bedtime Stories'

7pm. Alternative Bedtime Stories… Once upon a time, two fair maidens dragged fairy tales kicking and screaming into the 21st century in this sharp and original review of all things “happily ever after”. Suitable for ages 14+ due to strong language and themes.

'Absolute Kinship' with Ryan Molloy and Martin Dyar: Live

1pm. 'Absolute kinship': Composer Ryan Molloy and poet Martin Dyar discuss their ground-breaking song cycle Buaine na Goaithe, a suite for soprano, harp and flute, followed by an exclusive screening of a performance of the work by Damselfly Trio.

DoubleBand Films present 'To Be Frank Carson'

4pm. This documentary film follows comedian Dan Gordon as he prepares his very successful one-man show on comedy legend Frank Carson’s life.

Green Tangerines

7pm. Alumni Band and rising stars, Green Tangerines combine the rawness of 70s Jazz Fusion with the Nu Jazz scene of today. Complex compositions hide beneath stellar brass riffs and hummable vocal melodies.

DoubleBand Films present 'The Man Who Shot the Great War'

11am. Made to mark the centenary of World War One, this hour-long film tells the story of the remarkable Belfast man, George Hackney, who took a camera to the front lines. His photos were unseen for many years.

Loris and the Lion

1pm. Loris and the Lion are a duo from Liverpool who weave gentle tales of joy and loss; a patchwork of sonic delights built by (wo)man and machine to soothe the soul and feed the heart. Wonderful, inventive and not to be missed!

Rita Ann Higgins: ‘I must wash down the banister’

4pm. Renowned poet Rita Ann Higgins reads some of her latest works, including those responding to the Covid-19 crisis.

Nuala Honan

7pm. Join award-winning Australian vocalist Nuala Honan as she discusses her musical journey, her latest compositions and performs some of her latest powerful, post-punk songs.