Take Over Festival 2022

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Take Over 2022
David Hoyle. Image courtesy of Lee Baxter.

Take Over 2022 at The Citadel, 28 October — 13 November 2022 Entrance is free — Visit now

Exploring themes of hospitality, ritual and gatherings, Take Over is an arts festival for everyone. Taking place over three weekends this autumn, you’ll find events, exhibitions, films, participatory performances and much more popping up in unexpected spaces and venues across St Helens and Knowsley.

Curated and hosted by Manchester-based live artist Lowri Evans, the theme for the 2022 edition of Take Over Festival is ‘Be Our Guest’.

Astrology Bingo at Take Over 2022
Astrology Bingo at Take Over 2022. Image courtesy of Figs in Wigs.

Performance highlights of the festival include a game of bingo with a cosmic twist. Figs in Wigs bring their interactive performance Astrology Bingo, a bingo game based on your own horoscope. All your need to know is your birth date, time and location – and have your dabber at the ready.

Manchester-based performance artist Jenny Gaskell brings The Cloakroom, a drop-in pop-up installation where you can express and vent, check in and check out any emotional baggage. While, dancer Jane Mason brings street performance for passersby to enjoy, made in collaboration with people from Knowsley.

Made of Stars at The Black-E
Turntable Theatre’s Made of Stars at Take Over 2022

Turntable Theatre’s striking 20-foot pyramid will also welcome audiences to St Mary’s Market in St Helens; Made of Stars offers visitors a sensory experience that draws on the courageous stories of 14 refugee artists. Meanwhile, Eggs Collective present The Party Show Aftershow Party, a new family-friendly performance developed with year three students from schools in Knowsley and St Helens.

Additionally, the eclectic festival brings family-friendly film screenings, celebratory tastings and food events, free fashion styling sessions, photography exhibitions and spoken word. Be sure to check out the full programme.

Lowri Evans is an artist based in Manchester and São Paulo, Brazil. An associate artist with Eggs Collective, Evans describes herself as a maker of “intimate art projects in unusual places with complete strangers”. In 2015 she won a Manchester Theatre Award for The Shrine of Everyday Things, created with Renato Bolelli Rebouças, Rodolfo Amorim and Contact Young Company. The Lowry, Battersea Arts Centre, Transform Festival, Contact Theatre, Quarantine, Tate Liverpool and the University of Salford are just some of the venues and organisations that she has worked with.

Take Over 2022 at The Citadel, 28 October — 13 November 2022 Entrance is free Visit now

Where to go near Take Over Festival 2022

Alexandra Park, St. Helens

The 1960’s, grade II listed Alexandra Park is the former home of Pilkingtons Glass Head Quarters in St. Helens. 

St. Helens
Dream
at St Helens

Dream is a 20 metre high sculpture located on the former site of Sutton Manor Colliery in St Helens, designed by world-renowned and award-winning artist, Jaume Plensa.

Prescot
Theatre
Shakespeare North Playhouse

Due to open in 2022, Shakespeare North Playhouse is a new theatre, education, outdoor performance garden and exhibition space in Merseyside.

Knowsley
Tourist Attraction
Knowsley Hall

Situated on a private walled estate, Knowsley Hall has been in The Earl of Derby’s family for over 600 years and is usually reserved exclusively for private events and filming.

The Edge exterior
Wigan
Event venue
The Edge, Wigan

Opened in September 2017, The Edge Arena is Wigan’s performance, conference and event venue.

Warrington
Gallery
Warrington Museum & Art Gallery

Opened in 1857, Warrington Museum & Art Gallery is one of the oldest museums in the country and much of the quintessential character of the building has been preserved.

Warrington
Gallery
Pyramid Arts Centre

Culture Warrington hosts a range of exhibitions throughout the year representing local, regional and national artists’ work.

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