The Belly of Merrie England weekend spectacular

More tea vicar, and all that; pictured above is burlesque lady and jazz singer Mimi Amore, who will be just one of the performers over the weekend at the Casa. The Hope Street bar is playing host to resident theatre company Burjesta's summer festival of performance, incorporating drama, music, burlesque, live music and clowning. On Saturday and Sunday (July 20 and 21) from 7pm until late, the entertainment begins with the Burjesta Clowns in the comic play The Belly of Merrie England. It is Liverpool, 2013, and the Burjesta Clowns arrive in Britain in search of wealth and good living.  Follow them as they forlornly search through a British society in conflict and decline; see them arrive in London expecting streets paved with gold only to witness Thatcher’s funeral and a final bizarre showdown with the bankers of the City...

Keeping Mimi Amore company will be fellow burlesque performers Kitty Kimono and Minnie Melons; and there will be live music from Alex Solo of Manchester band Frazer King, city folk artist Alun Parry playing songs from Woody Guthries’s songbook, and Nicky McGrane of up-and-coming Liverpool band The Crystal Horses; plus singer Vanessa Booth will be performing a selection of songs from modern musicals. Tickets are £5, and they can be reserved on 07913 449 396 or pay on the door. For more information, visit burjesta-theatre.co.uk.