Celebrating the start of work on the Liverpool and Manchester railway 1826 - 1830

Join us for a unique celebration in words and music of the beginning of work, exactly 200 years ago, on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway.

Starting in Crown Street, just round the corner from the Tung Auditorium, this world changing project was built with pickaxes, wheelbarrows and the occasional bit of gunpowder.

Well known broadcaster Roger Phillips will be our compère for this unforgettable journey, including a specially commissioned piece of music from young Merseyside composer and University of Liverpool Music graduate Matt Holroyd; railway poetry from Alison Schultz and historic speeches and insights from Dr David Gwyn OBE, author of The Coming of the Railway (Harvard University Press).

Music will be performed by Heswall Concert Band, one of Merseyside’s most engaging wind bands under musical director Greg Williams.

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This musical commission has been kindly funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund/ Rocket: All Aboard and sponsored by Greengauge 21 and the Night Shift Jazz Collective

(image above: S.G. Hughes / Thomas Talbot Bury – Entrance of the Railway at Edge Hill, 1833)

A booking fee of 9% will apply to purchases made by telephone or online.

View our concessions policy here.

Access seats are available to visitors with additional access requirements such as wheelchair users. Sign-up to the access scheme to book these seats.

This performance is not likely to be suitable for children under 5 due to the acoustics in the auditorium. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Under-10’s are not permitted to sit on the balconies.

Food and hot drinks are not permitted in The Tung Auditorium.
The Fröhlich Café Bar is open for drinks 90 minutes prior to the start of each performance and during the interval. We recommend pre-ordering your interval drinks before the performance starts.

This concert will last approximately 1 hour 45 minutes including an interval.

Read the booking full terms and conditions here.