EVERYMAN/ PLAYHOUSE: Autumn-Winter Season
The Autumn-Winter season at Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse, launched today, begins with an exciting new production of Shakespeare’s Tempest, the first of four ‘Made In Liverpool’ productions in a wide-ranging programme.
This season at the Performing Venues of the Year (TMP Tourism Awards 2005), a family-friendly programme, outreach to schools and new ticket discounts will make great theatre accessible to more and more of the people of Merseyside.
The Tempest
Shakespeare’s final play, arguably his greatest, will be directed by actor-director Philip Franks, bringing a new theatrical energy to this great tale of magic, betrayal and forgiveness. This Playhouse production is sponsored by Bruntwood - in a new relationship prompted by the property company’s commitment to the arts in Liverpool - and will feature workshops for schools and young people funded by the Liverpool Culture Company.
On Tour
New writing remains centre-stage at the Everyman, with this world première by award-winning writer Gregory Burke. On Tour is a witty and edgy exploration of the seamy underworld which has grown up around international football. This co-production with London’s Royal Court will be directed by Merseyside-born Matthew Wilde, and features Andrew Schofield as Ray.
Cinderella – The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto
A Liverpool Christmas would be sparkle-free without the Everyman Rock ‘n’ Roll panto. This year the regular team of Mark Chatterton and Sarah Nixon give a twist to the classic tale as a feisty lass from Bootle makes her dreams come true – and all because ‘She Loves Shoes, Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’!
Season’s Greetings
For a grown-up seasonal alternative, the Playhouse offers Alan Ayckbourn’s festive farce, in which a family Christmas spirals into hilarious mayhem, directed by acclaimed young director Nikolai Foster.
The programme is completed by six of the finest touring productions, including the return of favourites Shared Experience with Brontë and Northern Broadsides with The School for Scandal; the National Theatre production of Brian Friel’s Translations; Hull Truck’s production of Lee Hall’s Cooking With Elvis, and family-friendly productions of Jacqueline Wilson’s Midnight and Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid.
The 2005 Performing Venue of the Year Award recognised the theatres’ commitment to offering the highest quality theatre in a truly accessible and welcoming environment. This season the theatres are going further in their commitment to making theatre a regular delight for everyone on Merseyside.
The number of people attending on a regular basis has grown dramatically since the theatres’ creative rebirth began in 2004. This season, we aim to reward this loyalty, to encourage more to become regulars, and to open our doors to new audiences.
Family audiences have more choice than ever, with The Little Mermaid, Midnight and Cinderella catering for children and all offering family-friendly ticket deals. For families with teenagers, there is also a special family-ticket offer for The Tempest.
Over 6,000 tickets are available at £5, with the enormously successful £5 Mondays which have encouraged Liverpool audiences to make theatre a regular part of their cultural life.
Over 9,000 preview tickets are this season being made available at just £7, to encourage everyone to see great theatre more often.
Early birds can get up to 10% off their tickets if they book before the end of July. For those who need a little more time, 5% discount is available until the end of August (restrictions apply).
Schools and colleges will have more opportunities for workshops and talks, and access to reasonably priced tickets for classic drama.
Behind the scenes, the theatres are busy nurturing new artists, providing more training and employment opportunities, and reaching ever deeper into the community. This summer and autumn will see many new developments: -
The Henry Cotton Writers On Attachment Scheme is a new, nine-month programme which will provide artistic and career support to three young writers: Jonathan Larkin, Michael McLean and Lizzie Nunnery.
Community Outreach will be greatly expanded thanks to an endowment from Professor Rex Makin which will enable the theatres to create the new post of Outreach Officer to nurture relationships with diverse communities across Merseyside.
Bruntwood will sponsor The Tempest, in their first arts sponsorship on Merseyside. The property company, which has recently established a presence in Liverpool, is an established cultural sponsor in Manchester and is a highly committed supporter of the arts. The relationship will increase the theatres’ profile in the business community, and give Bruntwood’s staff a close involvement in Liverpool’s culture.
The Channel Four Regional Young Directors Scheme is a sought-after national apprenticeship programme which will provide the theatres with an Assistant Director, and provide that young director with invaluable in-service training.
The Cruel Sea is a reminiscence project with Merchant Navy veterans, which will grow into a full-scale community production for 2006. The development stage has been funded by the Liverpool Culture Company.
New training and education opportunities will be created around The Tempest, thanks also to a grant from the Liverpool Culture Company.
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