Scratch

Scratch is the quarterly platform for creatives to share, experiment, and connect.

Join us for an electric night of fresh ideas and fearless creativity at our upcoming Scratch Night.

In the first half, we showcase bold new writing from emerging talent, then , after the interval, the reins come off for a high-energy improv set, creating characters and stories on the spot.

Two halves, two flavours — one unmissable night celebrating discovery, play, and the joy of live performance.

Lineup:

Treasure Island – A Clockwork Odyssey

“Treasure Island – A Clockwork Odyssey” is a retelling of the beloved Robert Louis Stephenson classic; through the lens of a fantastical, post-industrial society. The script was written by local actor and writer Kristian Lawrence, originally produced to be performed by local actors through, and commissioned by, community arts organisation Imaginarium Theatre. Sadly, as is all too common nowadays, a lack of funding lead to the project being put on an indefinite hiatus – this scratch performance is an opportunity for some of the principle cast to workshop some ideas in front of a live audience.

Amber-Page Moss performed at Shakespeare North Playhouse in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Strange Tale’ with Imaginarium Theatre. She most recently played Juliet in the Hillbark Players production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

Simon Baron stepped on stage for the first time at Shakespeare North Playhouse, playing Bingley in ‘Pride and Prejudice’ with Imaginarium Theatre. He also took on the role of Sebastian in Twelfth Night, and played Romeo in the Hillbark Player’s open-air production of ‘Romeo and Juliet’.

Kristian Lawrence performed at Shakespeare Playhouse in “Strange Tale” with Imaginarium Theatre, and as compère for “A Concord of Sweet Sounds” with Atticus Arts. In both roles he played Willliam Shakespeare.

We Should Break Up

We should break up….the words we’ve inevitably all heard or had to say at some point but what happens after, and what led you to that point? We should breakup is two actors exploring the detail between the words, as they unfold before the audience.

“I genuinely couldn’t believe it was made up, it felt like a scripted piece of theatre magic” – audience member, Unity Theatre Scratch Night, September 2025

Performed by Mike Burton and Jen Hardy, this is the second outing of this piece as we develop a full length show which will premier at The Unity Theatre, Valentines Day 2026

‘Babble’ with Cynthia Drabble

Part chat show, part comedy chaos, and 100% improvised!

Cynthia Drabble (the pint-sized pensioner with big opinions) is diving deep into the things YOU love — the niche, the nerdy, or just gloriously bizarre. In ‘Babble’, Cynthia invites you to join her on stage to chat about your specialist subject – from knitting to quantum physics – she wants to know what makes you tick. Join her on stage for a hilarious, unscripted chat show full of daft questions, quick wit, and genuine warmth.

Think Mrs Merton meets Scouse spontaneity.

Created and performed by Emma Bird (Actor, Director & Founder of Liverpool Comedy Improv)

Sink or Swim

Sink Or Swim is a heartfelt short play about siblings reconnecting in the wake of grief. They navigate memories, regrets and love, confronting the desire to feel whole again.