A story of the Liverpool blitz

After a run of sell out performances last year, the Unity Theatre is welcoming back local theatre company CJ Productions with Red Skies from May 11 - 14.

Almost 4000 people on Merseyside lost their lives in the air attacks of Hitler’s blitzkrieg, and many thousands more were injured. Inspired by writer Jo Mac’s nan, who survived the Luftwaffe’s merciless assault on Liverpool, Red Skies combines humour and warmth, pathos and tragedy, and song and dance to produce a show to serve as a salutary and timely reminder of the horrors of war, both then and now.

On December 31 1940, fifteen people are huddled in an air raid shelter as the German bombers do their brutal work overhead. Disgruntled at being forced out of the Grafton where they had been celebrating, they pass the time telling stories, singing and making do with the odd bottle of stout and a pan of scouse.

Class differences, petty squabbles, black market deals, love intrigues, as well as enacted tales of tragedy and loss, all play a part as they while away the hours till midnight strikes and they try to welcome in a happier new year.

Jo Mac said: "I’ve brought Red Skies back to unity because of the friendly atmosphere, there's feeling of we're all in this together, which is exactly the spirit of the play."

Red Skies runs in line with city council's programme of events to commemorrate the 70th anniversary of the Liverpool blitz, and is also part of the Light Night programme.