Masquerade at the Epstein Theatre
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
A brand new reimagining of Laura Lees’ Masquerade, a beautiful tale of love and tragedy in 1980s Liverpool comes to the Epstein Theatre this November.
An electrifying tale of friendship and freedom among Liverpool’s LGBT+ community.
Directed by James Baker, this powerful production tells a fictional story inspired by the now-demolished Masquerade Club, more affectionately known as The Mazzie. The iconic 1980s gay club becomes the setting for an electrifying tale of friendship and freedom among Liverpool’s LGBT+ community.
Masquerade centres around two best friends, Mike and Tony, who embark on a journey to find acceptance in a world that is hostile to the LGBT+ community. When the friends discover The Masquerade Club, Mike gets a taste of the life he could (and should) be living. Soon he becomes the resident DJ in a club that becomes the centre of his world, a sanctuary where he can be himself. However, outside of the club walls, he must dig deep to tell his parents that he is not the son they want him to be. Will Mike find the strength to stand up for himself especially when tragedy strikes?
Promising an immersive show, the Hanover Street theatre will undergo a sparkling transformation to become the legendary Masquerade Club. We’re told that theatre-goers will feel part of the action on arrival at the venue – with DJs playing in the bar and drag queens welcoming audiences into the auditorium, for many of the show’s performances.
Of course, the show features a heavenly disco soundtrack too, alongside an exceptional cast of Liverpool-based performers. Jamie Peacock returns to the role of Mike, following the success of the original production tagged at the Royal Court Studio in 2019, while Joe Owens plays Tony. The cast is completed by Neil MacDonald, Catherine Rice, Michael Bailey and Leah Gould.
A production full of heart and a night out to remember.
Brought to The Epstein by producer Bill Elms and director James Baker, the same team that lit up Hope Mill with Jerry Springer The Opera, Masquerade promises a production full of heart and a night out to remember.
