The Atkinson

16/09/2026

WIN a family ticket to Dear Zoo and a copy of the Dear Zoo book! 📚✨

To celebrate the return of Dear Zoo next week we are giving one lucky family the chance to win tickets and a copy of the beloved book. This charming production is sure to delight as it unfolds with child-engaging puppets, music and lots of audience interaction 🦁

To enter:

Like and share this post and comment below with what animal your child would be for a day and why...

🦁🐒🦒🐍

Terms & Conditions: Open to UK residents aged 18+. Prize consists of a family ticket (up to 4 people) to Dear Zoo for either the Tuesday 22 September 2026, 1:30pm performance or the Wednesday 23 September 2026, 1:30pm performance, plus one copy of the Dear Zoo book. Competition closes at 9am on Thursday 17 September 2026. Winner will be selected at random from all valid entries and contacted directly via The Atkinson page. No cash alternative.

15/09/2026

The zoo is coming to Southport! 🦁🐒🐸🦒

Join the adventure as Dear Zoo Live arrives at The Atkinson. Lift the flaps, meet a cheeky monkey, a jumpy frog and plenty more animal surprises in this colourful, interactive stage show based on the beloved children's book by Rod Campbell.

The animals are on their way... are you? Book your tickets today! 🐾

Tues 22 Sep 2026, 1:30pm / Wed 23 Sep 2026, 10:30am & 1:30pm

14/09/2026

✨ What's On This Week

International drag superstar and RuPaul’s Drag Race icon Baga Chipz brings outrageous stand-up, untold stories, and plenty of unfiltered laughs on Saturday. A true Bagz to riches story.

For the music fans, experience the incredible guitar mastery of Mike Dawes, rock legend Graham Parker performing with his signature soulful grit, and Northern Live: Do I Love You, featuring an 11-piece band and four lead vocalists performing over 30 Northern Soul classics.

Author Carl Gardner presents the launch of Iraq Op Telic 9 – Arnhem in Basra. Hear the stories behind the book, the realities of conflict, and his journey from soldier to author in this month's Evening Talk.

Don't miss an unforgettable week of live music, comedy and inspiring stories!

11/09/2026

🎭 Just Announced

✨The Turn of The Screw
Tuesday 23 February 2027. 7:30pm
Wednesday 24 February 2027. 7:30pm

A masterwork of psychological suspense and the inspiration for Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black, Henry James’ classic novella The Turn of the Screw is brought to life in this brand-new stage adaptation by Olivier Award-winning playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm.
https://theatkinson.co.uk/events/the-turn-of-the-screw/

✨Alfie Moore: Apocalypse Now
Friday 14 May 2027. 7:30pm

The Four Horsemen of Economic Unrest, War, Global Warming and AI are galloping towards us. Are we on the road to hell? And can we avoid the potholes? ‘Fair Cop’ Alfie has the antidote to the breakdown of law and order, fake news and the price of baked beans.
https://theatkinson.co.uk/events/alfie-moore-apocalypse-now/

09/09/2026

‘Where do you get your local news from?’ 🗞️
A talk by Dr Julia Paul as part of Heritage Open Days Festival
Friday 11 September 2026. 1pm. Free, drop in event.

Dr Julia Paul, a journalist and academic who lives in Southport, is recording oral histories with the people who produced the town’s newspapers. Her project, Behind the Headlines of Southport’s Newspapers, will capture the memories of those who worked in the industry.

In this talk, Dr Julia Paul will present the memories of the local people she’s interviewed so far.

Image courtesy of Stand Up For Southport

07/09/2026

✨ What's On This Week

To celebrate the beginning of Heritage Open Days festival, Dr Julia Paul will present a talk about her project 'Behind the Headlines of Southport’s Newspapers' in which she will present the memories of the local people she’s interviewed so far.

You are also invited to join us Saturday 11am - 3pm for free drop in session activities where you can get up close and explore items from The Atkinson's social history collection.

04/09/2026

🎭 Just Announced

✨ Ed Patrick: Numb and Number
Friday 05 February 2027. 7:30pm.
Following his hugely successful Catch Your Breath tour, comedian and NHS anaesthetist Ed Patrick returns with his new hit show Numb and Number. Get your appointment while you can.
https://theatkinson.co.uk/events/ed-patrick-numb-and-number

✨Tommy Blaize: The Golden Age of Swing
Saturday 24 April 2027. 7:30pm.
For more than 20 years, Tommy Blaize has been one of the most familiar and best-loved voices on British television as lead singer on BBC Strictly Come Dancing. Now he takes centre stage with his full live band in a spectacular new show, The Golden Age of Swing.
https://theatkinson.co.uk/events/tommy-blaize-the-golden-age-of-swing

02/09/2026

02/09/2026

You’ve probably seen their work around Southport without even realising it.

Meet local father and son metalwork and sculpture team Brian and George Fell, whose work includes the landmark sculptures in front of Silcock's Funland

Their exhibition, Always Something New, is currently on display at The Atkinson, bringing together work inspired by local stories, history, wildlife and the places around us.

📍 The Atkinson Southport
📅 On until 17 October
🎟️ FREE entry

A great chance to discover more about two local artists and the stories behind some very familiar Southport artwork.