DaDaFest International 40

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor

Visit now

DaDaFest at the Bluecoat

Bluecoat, City Centre
8-31 March 2025

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

DaDaFest International 40 at Bluecoat
Image courtesy of Cathy Mager/ Spectroscope. Hand Ships Sail at Bristol Light Festival.
Book now

Celebrating 40 years of groundbreaking disability and Deaf arts, we’re thrilled that DaDaFest returns for 2025 with a bold and unapologetic programme.

2025 marks the 40th anniversary of DaDa and the theme for this year’s festival is ‘RAGE: A Quiet Riot’, chosen to reflect the work that still has to be done to achieve full equity in terms of disability and Deaf arts. This milestone festival – DaDaFest International 40 (DDFI40) – will showcase powerful performance, thought-provoking exhibitions and innovative films alongside workshops and talks. Most pleasingly, most of the events taking place are free, with activity taking place across Liverpool and online.

Live performance highlights at this year’s festival include Pimp My Wheelchair (March 9-30), where Faith Bebbington and Janet Price transform mobility aids into striking sculptures at Sefton Park Palm House. Meanwhile, Unity Theatre hosts Shooting From Below (March 21), which sees Midgitte Bardot challenge perceptions of dwarfism, and Not F**ing Sorry* (March 22), a shameless punk crip cabaret, while, Rage Reactor (March 22-23) at Bluecoat explores trauma through poetry and installation. Further highlights include interactive performance from Dora Colquhoun, storytelling with Natalie Denny, Eat Me and Preach drag cabaret (March 28), and a dance workshop with Patrick Bannon (March 29) at the Open Eye Gallery.

With a programme spanning performance, film, visual arts, other significant events include Rage, Riot and Revolution, a new photographic exhibition at the waterfront Open Eye Gallery (8 – 31 March); Hand, Ships, Sail, a stunning poetic British Sign Language film installation screened on the outside of the Cunard Building (8 March), and a special Bluecoat Weekender (22 & 23 March) at DaDa’s city centre home.

We love that DaDaFest always brings a potent mix of activism, creativity, and raw expression, and DDFI40 promises to challenge perceptions and amplify marginalised voices while igniting conversations that resonate far beyond the art world. Bring it on.

What's on at Bluecoat

Image of a performer dressed as a creepy moon, wearing a beige suit jacket, grinning in front of a lamp
EducationCity Centre
British Science Festival

Enjoy comedy shows to art installations, dynamic performances and more at this amazing celebration of all things science.

Free entry

Where to go near DaDaFest International 40

Photo of the shop's front window
City Centre
Shop
Bluecoat Display Centre

The Bluecoat Display Centre in Liverpool is a contemporary craft shop – and it’s been doing its thing for over 50 years – despite funding cuts and recessions.

Probe Records record shop in Liverpool
City Centre
Shop
Probe Records

For more than 40 years, Probe Records has stocked an immense selection of music and provided a hangout for vinyl addicts and musicians alike.

City Centre
Shop
Root House Plants

The ultimate destination for seasoned plant lovers and beginners alike, Root sell a wide selection of gorgeous houseplants.

food and drink
City Centre
Bar or Pub
Brass Monkey

Brass Monkey is a quirky bar with swings serving delicious drinks, tucked away down a quiet street in the centre of Liverpool.

Mamasan Liverpool
City Centre
Mamasan Liverpool

Mamasan is a new three-floor South East Asian inspired restaurant and bar based in Liverpool One. It also has exciting cook-at-home options.

City Centre
Theatre
Epstein Theatre

The Epstein Theatre in Liverpool, formerly known as the Neptune Theatre, was renamed in honour of The Beatles’ Manager Brian Epstein.

What's on: Exhibitions

Commons at SODA
Until
ExhibitionsManchester
Commons at SODA

Commons is a programme of openly accessible, interactive events led by digital artists, showcasing the nuances of our interactions with tech.

Free entry

Culture Guides

Blondshell by Hannah Bon.
Music in the North

From Lyra Pramuk’s sacred synths to the sugar rush of YAANG, our latest music picks bring ritual, rebellion and ridiculous levels of fun.

Two women stand next to an orange car.
Cinema in the North

August brings a huge LGBTQ+ film festival, plus a reggae classic and a spotlight on Japanese animation.

Theatre in Manchester and the North.
Theatre in the North

From outdoor shows to drama in the dark, our theatre guide celebrates genre-pushing work, new writing and contemporary performance.

Author portrait
Literature Events in the North

Our latest round-up features plenty of one-off live literature events to wrap your ears about, so get those diaries ticking over...