LipService Theatre

27/03/2026

If you missed the Funny Stuff symposium back in February, don't worry we filmed it and you can now watch it here https://youtu.be/XTVYhz6etYY The first half is a panel discussion with members of the Manchster Fringe Forum and the second half is about women in comedy in the 1980's, all interspered with vintage LipService footage. Some of that is from our very first stand up show Coming On Late, (you might spot Kenneth Williams in the audience). Worth watching for the mullets! And it is all signed courtesy of the fabulous Emma Jane Mansfield.

A symposium held at Manchester Central Library on Thursday 19th Feb to celebrate 40 years of LipService Theatre and to discuss the Manchester Fringe Forum, a...

02/03/2026

Some good news! Part of the Funny Stuff exhibition at Manchester Central library will remain for the next few weeks. If you go to the back of Archives+ you can look at the female authors quilt, the Withering Looks NIBHLS trolley, bonnets and dolls, items from Move Over Moriarty, the sheep and a giant badger. What’s not to like?!

25/02/2026

Just in the Central Library. Feeling sad that it’s the last few days of the Funny Stuff exhibition. Comes down Saturday. Boo Hoo! Do come and have a look if you haven’t already.

18/02/2026

Just a reminder it’s the LipService symposium tomorrow 19th in the central library 2-5pm. It’s sold out now but if you have booked a ticket please do remember to come along! And we’ve been making lots of cake!

06/02/2026

We have been busy digitising old VHS tapes dating back to the 80's. Found a marvellous one of our stand up routine, with Kenneth Williams, Charlie Drake and Denise Coffey watching on in the audience! All these films will be going into our digital archive soon. Apologies for blurry image. Maggie and I are in the front row with marvellous 80's hair do's. Our exhibition is still running, I was there in the library yesterday watching people do the rounds. I've topped up the postcard stand for the memory box. It runs until Friday 27th Feb, taking it down on the Saturday.

27/01/2026

SOLD OUT NOW SORRY!
Join us for a FREE event celebrating 40 years of LipService. Thursday 19th Feb 2-5pm, Manchester Central Library. We’re delighted to be taking part in a special symposium hosted by Manchester Libraries, celebrating 40 years of LipService Theatre.

Expect retrospective footage, silly props, thoughtful discussion - and yes, cake!

LipService was part of the Manchester Fringe Forum, a loose collective of 1980s artists whose work reached all four corners of the globe. A panel of original members will come together to explore:

why there was such an explosion of creativity in Manchester at that time
how that spirit shaped LipService and its peers
what we can learn from that moment now

It promises to be a relaxed, reflective and celebratory afternoon!
Book now
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/40-years-of-funny-stuff-a-lipservice-theatre-symposium-tickets-1980011225877?aff=oddtdtcreator

09/01/2026

The exhibition is up! Thanks to the Funny Stuff sewing bee volunteers for making 20 fabulous dolls representing LipService characters. Come and write in our visitors book and fill in a postcard for our memory box. Runs until the end of February

06/01/2026

Just fitting up the Funny Stuff Exhibition at Manchester Central library with the fabulous Kate Drewitt and Leann Young. How many people does it take to put a sign on a sheep? Two apparently. We’re NEARLY ready, just finishing off the signage and we’re good to go. Official launch is 12th and runs until end of Feb.

17/12/2025

The LipService exhibition at Manchester Central Library officially launches on 12th January and runs until the end of February. It's very exciting, we have had a sewing bee turning Ken and Barbie dolls into LipService characters. There will be lots of audio visual stuff as well as silly props and costumes from over the years. You could spend 20 minutes, you could spend a couple of hours, it's up to you. And if you live miles away and can't make it, here is our exhibition film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRVxqk8JRbc
It's also available with captions, audio description or BSL on our website.

25/11/2025

If you missed the Funny Stuff tour - or fancy watching it again - you can join me online this weekend!

You’ll watch the show from home, then take part in a fun interactive quiz afterwards. It’s all Pay What You Feel, so everyone can join.

Interactive Shows
📅 Fri 28 Nov, 7.30pm
🎟 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lipservice-theatre/t-plzxxpj

📅 Sat 29 Nov, 7.30pm
🎟 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lipservice-theatre/t-vxeqdej

Accessible Performances
🕤 Fri 28 Nov, 6.30pm – BSL + Captions
🎟 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lipservice-theatre/t-jxkozka

🕤 Sat 29 Nov, 6.30pm – Audio Described
🎟 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lipservice-theatre/t-dkanvvl

Bring a cuppa, settle in, and enjoy some Funny Stuff from your sofa. Hope to see you there!

17/11/2025

🎉 Big LipService News! 🎉

Our brand-new Digital Archive is now LIVE - plus Funny Stuff is available to watch online soon!

🌐 Explore the LipService Digital Archive

Thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund, we’ve launched a huge new archive celebrating 40 years of LipService.

You can now browse:
📸 Production photos
🎭 Clips & show moments
📜 Script extracts
😂 Touring anecdotes
🗂 Behind-the-scenes stories
💛 YOUR shared memories

There’s loads to explore and we’re adding more every week.

👉 Take a look: www.lipservicetheatre.co.uk

🎥 Funny Stuff Exhibition Film - Watch Online

Get up close to 40 years of props, costumes and creative chaos from the comfort of home!

🎬 Watch here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRVxqk8JRbc

(Accessible versions with Captions, BSL and Audio Description are linked on our website.)

📺 Funny Stuff - Interactive Online Performances

If you missed the tour - or want to relive it - join us for one of our Pay What You Feel online shows.

You’ll watch a recording of the performance AND join a fun quiz afterwards!

Main shows:

⭐ Fri 28 Nov, 7.30pm
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lipservice-theatre/t-plzxxpj

⭐ Sat 29 Nov, 7.30pm
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lipservice-theatre/t-vxeqdej

Accessible shows:

♿ Fri 28 Nov, 6.30pm (BSL & Captions)
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lipservice-theatre/t-jxkozka

♿ Sat 29 Nov, 6.30pm (Audio Described)
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/lipservice-theatre/t-dkanvvl

Thank you for all your support during the Funny Stuff tour - we can’t wait to share these next chapters with you! 💛🎭