In jointly announcing their new seasons, Liverpool’s Playhouse and Everyman theatres, Unity Theatre and Royal Court have pledged a “long-term commitment” to a closer working relationship.
“Collaborative working will benefit the arts community in Liverpool, including local freelancers and the audiences who visit the theatres,” said a Playhouse spokesman.
All four theatres have put their new seasons on sale today – April 7 – giving audiences the chance to buy tickets for their favourite venues.
Productions on sale now include the return of Jonathan Harvey’s Our Lady of Blundellsands to the Everyman from Sept 17-Oct 9. Directed by Nick Bagnall, the show was cancelled mid-run due to lockdown and the venue will aim to celebrate its return in front of full-capacity houses (hopefully allowed from mid-June).
The Royal Court will welcome audiences back from July 2-31 with Ellen & Rigby - a new comedy from Gerry Linford starring audience favourites Lindzi Germain and Andrew Schofield.
New Liverpool talent will cut its teeth with Unity, as the theatre showcases 22 Merseyside-based artists and companies through its Open Call programme, with support for two of artists from the Everyman & Playhouse. Created to provide further income and performance opportunities for local artists, the programme features new work from poets, theatre companies, comedians, writers and more.
Everyman & Playhouse New Works, alongside Laurence Westgaph and Falling Doors Theatre, is also to commission site-specific responses to Liverpool’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade in The Streets Where We Live, performed in key spots around the city.
Young Everyman Playhouse will also take talent outdoors, as members perform Shakespeare’s Macbeth in an open-air setting.
In a joint statement, chief executive at Liverpool & Merseyside Theatre Trust Mark Da Vanzo, chief executive at Unity Theatre Gordon Millar, and Gillian Miller, chief executive at the Royal Court, said: “During one of the most challenging times for everyone associated with the arts in Liverpool, our industry has collectively pulled together to support one another. As the main producing theatres in the city, we now want to play our part to help theatre makers in Liverpool thrive, both now and in the future.
“Our theatres are committed to working together as a collective to nurture new artists, connect with communities, and entertain audiences of the Liverpool City Region and beyond.”
More information on the full seasons at the Everyman and Playhouse, Unity and Royal Court Liverpool websites.
For information on all theatre venues in Liverpool, see here.