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EVERYMAN NEWS ISSUE 03 SEPTEMBER 2012
BUILDING PROGRESS
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BUILDING PROGRESS
A SITE TO BEHOLD! Every Friday, our tower crane driver, Brian, takes a photo of the site for us. The arrival of the weekly Cranecam shot is always a thrill, as we see the week’s progress and watch each space take shape. In this image, from 10th August, the distinct areas can be seen at ground floor level, and our Building Development Director, Robert, has added these labels to illustrate what will be happening where. The construction team are really making fast progress and most of what you see in this image is now covered over, as most of the building reaches first floor level. It is now visible above the hoardings on Hope Street, so you will be able to see progress each time you pass by, as well as keeping tabs on the whole site via the webcam www. everymanplayhouse.com/NewEveryman
View from substage stage floor level is the top of the concrete seen here
Columns between ground and first floor slab under construction in cafe bar area
We were delighted that in August our main contractors, Gilbert-Ash, received a high score in the Considerate Constructors scheme which puts the Everyman site in the top 10% of sites in the country. We love awards, and this one recognises just how well the site is being run in terms of safety, efficiency, and minimising disturbance to our neighbours.
The new hoardings, see page 8 for more information
Formwork for ground floor cafe bar ceiling under construction
Basement view showing curve of auditorium floor level above air supply plenum
Crane cam montage 10 August 2012
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The Portrait Wall
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The Portrait Wall
During March, April and May, hundreds of people from across Merseyside came to have their photograph taken, with the chance that their image would form part of the Portrait Wall of 105 shutters on the front of the new Everyman.
Here is what some of the people said about why they came along to take part: We wanted to find and capture the extraordinary people that make up this city to create a Portrait Wall of life-sized images cut into metal shutters. The variety of wonderful people that came along to take part really blew us away and it was great to hear everyone’s stories about themselves and their connection to the Everyman. They ranged from young children to theatre-going veterans, jugglers, cricketers, expectant mothers and whole families from all walks of life.
“I’ve come along to be part of something for the community, to be part of Liverpool life. I only live round the corner so it’s my local theatre and feel even though it’s in the city, it’s still a community theatre that does a lot for local people, so I think this concept is really good for the community.”
“I was in the community play Spirits of the Stone in 2009 at the Ev and remember what a marvellous experience that was. I thought, ‘I’ve been part of its history and I’d love to be a part of its future’. It was so wonderful to step out on that Everyman stage, that’s why I’m here today.”
“We’re dead excited about the new theatre. It’s going to be great for our children growing up with the new theatre to go to.”
Bistro and barS At the beginning of July, we were very excited as we watched the Everyman’s basement take shape for what will house our much needed substage and the all important new basement Bistro. In the photo below you can see the first staircase built, which is the new Bistro entrance. The symbiotic relationship of the Theatre “This development is a satisfying full circle and Bistro has existed for over 40 years, for myself, Paddy and Tim. We began and we are now looking forward to its next the Bistro in a section of the Everyman incarnation. One cannot flourish without basement in 1970 and now through the the other and the basement Bistro has hard work of LMTT and their funders and always been integral to the design for the our own efforts we leave the foundation new Everyman. For many, this social hub for an exciting new theatre and Bistro. A is as important as the creative hub upstairs, joyful swan song! I trust and wish that all and great care has been taken over the those who will finally use the splendid new design and planning of the new Bistro. Our Everyman will enjoy and love it as much as goal is to combine its traditional values of we did the old.” affordable quality and independence of spirit, with new features such as wheelchair Last year Dave added “We’ve left behind us access, ventilation and subtle use of daylight. the legacy of a brand new theatre and we can be very proud of that. Paddy and I are in When the Bistro owners sold the building our mid-60s and Tim is in his mid-50s, back to the theatre in 2008 Dave Scott, so it’s not realistic for us to go forward co-founder of the Everyman Bistro said with it and it wouldn’t be right anyway.
It’s a new board and a new game and they need to bring the flavour to it that’s appropriate to them.” In August we invited expressions of interest to provide a full range of catering services for the new Everyman: not only the Bistro but also the new ground floor Café Bar (including a pavement café) and the first floor Foyer Bar. We will be announcing our new Bistro operators in the coming months.
The images were taken by leading photographer Dan Kenyon who took time to chat and get to know everyone to make it. Over 1,500 images were taken and the final selection presented a real challenge to Dan, Everyman and Playhouse Artistic Director Gemma Bodinetz and Everyman architect Steve Tompkins who designed the Portrait Wall. Steve said: “The main driver for the Portrait Wall was an aesthetic one and so that final selection needed to be based not only on the individual images but on how they related to others in the makeup of the shutters and the overall composition of the façade”.
Over the coming months those images will be made into prototype shutters using cutting edge technology. The Portrait Wall will be made up of 105 individual shutters to create an amazing façade for the new Everyman. The 105 people whose images will form the Portrait Wall will be announced next year. Handstand Productions Ltd have created a short 3 minute film showing the fascinating first steps to creating the Portrait Wall from photo sessions to the wall coming together for the first time. This film is available on our website and will form part of a longer film at the end of the project.
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EVERYONE FOR THE EVERYMAN
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FUNDRAISING
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Theatre staff lead the way with 24-hour Three Peaks Challenge, Liverpool Cathedral Abseil, and 10,000ft Skydive. On 2 July, a year to the day since the Everyman Finale marked the end of one era and the start of a new journey for our pioneering theatre on Hope Street, we launched Everyone for the Everyman: a chance for all those who love the Everyman to get involved in creating its great future. As the new building rises out of the ground, members of staff have been leading the way by taking part in the national Three Peaks Challenge in July, a specially organised abseil down Liverpool Cathedral in August, and a 10,000ft sky dive in September. The Three Peaks Challenge team ‘Summit Up’ – made up of nine Everyman and Playhouse staff - tackled Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in just under 24 hours, raising over £3,000. One month later six members of staff hit a different height with a sponsored abseil down the 150ft Liverpool Cathedral, raising just over £2,000. Then on 8 September Everyman and Playhouse Executive Director, Deborah Aydon, leapt out of a plane at 10,000ft to raise £2,000.
Not every sponsorship idea includes climbing or dropping from great heights however! On Sunday 15th July, a friend of the Everyman, Cynthia King, held a fundraising event at her home. Over 50 people turned up to enjoy the afternoon and support the Everyman raising £1,100. Other events include the ‘Every Loser Wins’ quiz team, Every(Odd Job)Man, ‘StandUp’ for the Everyman comedy night, and participation in organised events such as the Liverpool Santa Dash, Liverpool Marathon and Run Liverpool Parks.
Simon Sums it Up On 4 July 2012 nine Everyman and Playhouse staff set off on the national Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Everyone for the Everyman. The ‘Summit Up’ team took on Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in just 24 hours and finished in true theatrical style with just 2 minutes to spare, raising over £3,000. Below, team member, official ‘Summit Up’ photographer, and Everyman and Playhouse Duty Manager, Simon Stephens gives his personal account of the challenge.
Everyman Fundraisers
We have created a special microsite www.everymanplayhouse.com/ev4ev with award-winning Liverpool web developers Mando Group (see an interview with the Mando team on page 9), featuring fundraising ideas, how to join an organised event, how to create a challenge of your own via JustGiving, or simply donate directly to support the new Everyman.
Together we can do something amazing – we can create an Everyman for Everyone
Everyman and Playhouse Programme Manager Victoria Rope abseiling the Cathedral
At the top of Snowdon
Despite the odd moment of doubt, the signs of success were there from the off. As we rounded Jimmy Saville’s Highland retreat on the way to Ben Nevis, the mountain dreek finally lifted and the sun emerged, surely a portent. Maybe the great man was looking down on us, for the weather had seemingly been fixed so that not one drop of rain fell on us as we walked. The dry conditions were almost as miraculous as the efforts of our wing-clipped drivers. As constant as the speed of light, only marginally slower, we pitched from peak to peak at 55mph in our trusty minibus, a home from home (if you live in a green-house and prefer to adopt the inverted lotus position whilst you sleep). In the capable hands of Robert and Sarah, we negotiated the glens of the Trossachs, the fells of The Lakes and the vertiginous passes of Snowdonia, expressing only mild road rage at obstructive caravans and ovine nonchalance (the whole thing was nearly scuppered by one particularly stubborn sheep one mile from Snowdon). All the while Mike and Vince were in hot pursuit, lugging several gallons of water and innumerable calorific delights in the support car. Never before has so much fat and sugar been so guiltlessly consumed! Travel time was punctuated by Emma’s close reading of the phenomenon that is 50 Shades of Grey, and between tenuous yet creative innuendo and exhausting attempts at falling asleep, the growing sense of collective achievement was palpable.
Every Loser Wins quiz team
Aughton and Ormskirk Theatre Fans Wine and Canapé afternoon
The Ben Nevis base camp
With barely two minutes to spare, we touched the trig-point at Snowdon’s summit and took a moment to take on board just what we had achieved, as well as several large whiskies. The initial exhilaration of Ben Nevis and its sweeping Highland views (if you haven’t been you really should go) quickly turned to sleep-deprived drudgery during the early morning slog up Scafell, technically the hardest of the three. At times there were long periods of silent introspection, when only the grinding of rusty knees was audible above the constant rush of fast flowing water. Finally there was the thrill of the chase as we hit the slopes of Snowdon with only 2 hours on the clock. Ups and downs, both literally and mentally, yet all the while underscored by a steely grit. So, to Summit Up, a sterling effort by all and an incredible experience, about which I think we can all be justifiably proud. Big shout outs to our inveterate guide Russ; our faithful support team Mike and Vince; our determined drivers Sarah and Robert; to Gemma and Deborah for welcoming ten haggard faces off the mountain with a smile, a choccy medal and a drink; Sarah O and Gemma M for the scrumptious sustenance; all of you who kindly donated; and of course to our wonderful co-ordinator Rowena – without whom we wouldn’t have got beyond sea level.
At the foot of Snowdon
By Simon Stephens
The Everyman’s spirit is all about courage, ideas, fun and community. Everyone for the Everyman is a chance for us to take that as our inspiration and come together to do something bold, adventurous, creative or just fun. It could be anything, from running a marathon to hosting a tea party, and we can’t wait to see what people will come up with.
Odd job man, Gary
MORE INFO For more information on how to get involved in Everyone for the Everyman, go to www.everymanplayhouse.com/ev4ev, call 0151 706 9124, or email donate@ everymanplayhouse.com for a fundraising pack. Join us on Twitter @Ev4theEv
The Ben Nevis Descent
Summit Up were: Rowena Dean, Andrew King, Annie MacLean, Kim Norman, Rebecca Ross-Williams, Emma Smith, Simon Stephens, Scott Turner and Louise Zandstra. Drivers: Mike Carran, Vince Killen, Robert Longthorne and Sarah Lovell.
New Talent
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The Everyone for the Everyman fundraising campaign is not just about the new building, we are also raising money to ensure that inside the new Everyman we will be able to involve more young people, foster Liverpool’s extraordinary range of creative talent, and train and support the actors, writers, directors and craftspeople who will stimulate and delight us for decades to come.
MEET THE TEAM
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Meet the team behind the Everyman fundraising microsite www.everymanplayhouse.com/ev4ev: Mando Group By Vicky Anderson
Our Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) Actors, Technicians and Communicators have been working hard on their next projects, and in September, our new group of Young Writers started their first term. Two design opportunities we have created are:
New Hoardings by Liverpool School of Art & Design Students
Digital agency Mando Group has worked with the Everyman and Playhouse on our website for nearly a decade. As the number of visitors to www.everymanplayhouse.com has increased and the way people use the web has changed over the years, Mando has been on hand to make sure everything has kept running smoothly. Most recently, they have developed the Everyone for the Everyman ‘microsite’, to keep people up to date with the fundraising campaign and to encourage people to get involved by donating or creating their own events.
Next time you’re passing the Everyman site on Hope Street (or looking at the webcam) you’ll notice that new hoardings artwork has been erected around the site. The artwork is a collaboration between Liverpool School of Art & Design and communications agency Uniform and consists of photographic portraits of the city taken by the students accompanied by quotes from plays. You can read more about the project on our website. Photography Students James Riley, Jurgita Bazyte, Paige Barnes, Llauren Cavanagh, Harriet Cox, Carolina Feng Chen, Bob Hartley Cecilia Garside Senior Lecturer / BA Hons Design and Illustration
Everyman and Playhouse Communications and Sales Director Sarah Ogle chooses the photographs to go on the hoardings
Design and Calligraphy Michael O’Shaughnessy Senior Lecturer / BA Hons Design and Illustration Uniform Anthony Dry (Senior Design), Tony Richardson (Head of Managed Services) Matt Robinson (Interactive Specialist), Chris Reale-Smith (Programmer) Photograph by Mark Denison
The final hoardings in situ outside the Everyman site on Hope Street
Playhouse Studio Design Graduate Prize In association with LIPA, this new competition is open to graduating LIPA students to win the contract to design set, costumes and props for a Liverpool Playhouse Studio production. This year, the production is Joe Ward Munrow’s world première, Held, directed by Lorne Campbell with Pauline Daniels, Ged McKenna and Alan Stocks. Following two rounds of interviews with the director and initial design ideas by a shortlist of candidates, this year’s winner is Katie Scott. Katie graduated from LIPA in Theatre and Performance Design.
“I am so thankful for an opportunity like this to have arisen in my final year. It is a hugely rewarding achievement and I am still trying to absorb everything that I have learnt so far, and everything I am yet to learn. The process has been very natural, and the script has allowed me to explore several different early ideas and thoughts, which in turn, Lorne and I have developed into a delicate and sensitive design.” Winner, Katie Scott
Held by Joe Ward Munrow is at Liverpool Playhouse Studio 8 Nov-1 Dec 2012.
Mando was set up in 1997 by Matt Johnson and Ian Finch. Since then it has grown into a major digital agency employing more than 60 staff. They have been based in Liverpool Science Park on Mount Pleasant for the last five years and work with a number of household name companies, including Vodafone, Jaguar Land Rover and Microsoft. With a view of the Everyman’s building site literally across the road, Mando’s managed services team enjoy their partnership with the theatre. Mando has plenty of experience of creating websites for arts organisations, with venues including the Philharmonic Hall, York Barbican and Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall among past and present clients. Tony Richardson is the head of managed services, the department that works with the Everyman and Playhouse to develop and maintain the site, including a dedicated team of designers, programmers and front end developers. Creative organisations like the Everyman may not be the biggest clients on the books, but offer a different kind of challenge that the team enjoys. It’s a partnership Tony believes is a win-win situation for all concerned. “We probably work with around 50 clients in the North West, but with the Everyman being on our doorstep we’ve always had a friendly relationship,” Tony says. “For us, it’s about forming relationships for the long term.
The happier we make our clients, the more work we can do together. It’s not just about making money, but working on projects we enjoy doing and helping people develop their online and digital strategy over time, rather than a one-off project.”
The Everyone for the Everyman microsite (accessible from the main homepage) has been an instant success. Fundraising is much more than halfway to the target now, and progress can be followed by checking out the totaliser at the bottom of the page. Tony says: “We thrashed out ideas together and decided the microsite should reflect the current site, with the aim that people could donate online but also get involved and inspired by other projects like abseiling or doing the Three Peaks Challenge. “It has been really successful so far. Because we work on much larger projects generally, we know our processes are more stringent and we can turn these things around quite quickly. A lot of testing goes into it by our team before it goes live, so issues like bugs have been sorted out. “There is immediate feedback, with people commenting on blogs and social media, and it has been quite nice to see what people think about the site and how it has grown so far.” Since Mando and the Everyman & Playhouse began working together in 2004, the way people have used the theatres’ website has changed considerably. Although it almost seems hard to imagine life without the option nowadays, online ticket sales were only introduced in 2005, and back then counted for just 10% of all tickets sales. Times have changed, and since the site’s re-launch in 2010, now an average of 35% of tickets are sold online. Some of the most high profile shows, like Ghost Stories, Antony and Cleopatra, Macbeth and The Ladykillers, shifted around half their tickets through people buying them straight from the website. At the busiest time of the year, around September to December, there can be more than 40,000 visits a month to the site. On average, 1,000 people a day take a look. It’s all in a day’s work for Mando, but for front end developer Matt Robinson the chance to have a role in helping the new Everyman come into being is a fun and rewarding job in itself. “We’re happy to be a small part of something so important to Liverpool’s culture,” he says.
Unlike other web companies that concentrate on SEO (search engine optimisation) to improve web traffic to a website and give it greater prominence in the market, Mando works on improving the user experience of a site for those who want and need to use it. “Our service when we’re developing a website is about helping the user get from A to B – and very quickly, whether that’s making an inquiry, paying a bill or looking up what’s on somewhere,” Tony says. These days, websites also have to be accessible on tablets and smartphones too, so Mando have developed a responsive design that ensures the site can be clearly accessed and read on any device. But it has to look good with it, as site designer Anthony Dry explains: “What we wanted to do for the Everyman was try to keep the integrity of the current site, but to infuse in some of the new branding such as concept artwork and architectural drawings of the new theatre.”
www.mandogroup.com
@mandogroup
Everyman Archive
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The Everyman Theatre Archive was first deposited with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) Special Collections and Archives in 2004.
At the Playhouse
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This autumn, Robert Icke creates a new production of Ben Jonson’s The Alchemist at the Liverpool Playhouse as the opening production of the new season. Following The Swallowing Dark and Frank McGuinness’s The Match Box, the Playhouse Studio will present its third world première since reopening, with Held by Joe Ward Munrow, as well as hosting the annual Everyword Festival for new writing.
The archive contains posters, handbills, leaflets, programmes, scripts, photographs, and press cuttings.
We play host to a wide range of visiting companies, including some familiar Everyman names such as Kneehigh, Northern Broadsides and Hugh Hughes, before the season ends in high style with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto, Jack & the Beanstalk.
This summer we sent over more material to keep it right up to date A list of material in the Everyman Theatre Archive is available online through LJMU Digital Collections, arranged by production and season. www.ljmu.ac.uk/lea/82888.htm
THE ALCHEMIST Ben Jonson’s 17th century satirical farce will be spun into pure comedy gold in the hands of rising star director Robert Icke. Cast includes Nicolas Tennant, Ian Bartholomew, Simon Coates and Everyman Youth Theatre alumni Kevin Harvey and John McGrellis.
The Everyman Theatre Archive Online Catalogue Project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council. The Everyman Theatre Archive Online Catalogue Project was funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council.
By Ben Jonson 14 September to 6 October, Main House
EVERYWORD FESTIVAL 2012 The theatre will be buzzing again this October with a new kind of Everyword Festival. Not to be missed.
EVERYMAN BOOK Liverpool’s Third Cathedral; the Liverpool Everyman Theatre Compiled by Ros Merkin (Liverpool University Press, 2004). To celebrate 40 years of the Everyman, in the words of those who were, and are, there.
22 October to 27 October Playhouse Studio and around the Playhouse
We have a limited number of copies available at the special rate of £7 with 50% of the proceeds to the Everyman (Plus £4.95 P&P). Call our Box Office now on 0151 709 4776 or buy online at https://tickets.everymanplayhouse.com/public/merchandise_list.asp
HELD A captivating story of the weave and weft of family life. This debut play from one of our Young Writers Programme graduates, Joe Ward Munrow. With Pauline Daniels, Ged McKenna and Alan Stocks.
SUpporters THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THE NEW EVERYMAN
By Joe Ward Munrow 8 November to 1 December, Studio
The Monument Trust
The Wolfson Foundation
The Hemby Trust
Garfield Weston Foundation
J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust
The J P Jacobs Charitable Trust
Foyle Foundation
The Granada Foundation
The Johnson Foundation
The Oglesby Charitable Trust
The Oliver Stanley Charitable Trust
AND EVERYONE WHO HAS SUPPORTED THE APPEAL SO FAR
JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Jack is at the Playhouse, rockin’ the dizzy height, Join him and his gang, as they boogie through the night! Book your tickets now, to make sure you don’t miss out, ‘Cause this giant adventure will surely twist and sprout!
By Sarah A Nixon and Mark Chatterton 30 November to 19 January
www.everymanplayhouse.com/NewEverymanSupporters Box Office: 0151 709 4776 Book online: www.everymanplayhouse.com
An Everyman for Everyone We’ve all been getting involved with Everyone for the Everyman. Take a look at some of our fundraisers.
Find out more about the new everyman
‘Every Loser Wins’ Quiz Team
SkyDive
A collection of trivia nerds have scouted the city for pub quizzes giving out cash prizes, with all winnings donated to the Everyman.
To raise funds to support the new Everyman on 8th September Deborah leapt out of a plane 10,000 feet above Cheshire.
Aughton and Ormskirk Theatre Fans Wine and Canapé afternoon
Stand-Up For The Everyman
On Sunday 15th July over 50 people enjoyed an afternoon to support the Everyman and raise £1,100.
Box Office casual by day, wannabe comic by night Gary will be presenting a showcase of the top young breakthrough comedians in the country. www.facebook.com/garyluntcomedy
For updates on the redevelopment of the Everyman please email ev4everyone@everymanplayhouse.com Follow us on twitter www.twitter.com/LivEveryPlay Join us on www.facebook.com/LivEveryPlay Watch videos on www.youtube.com/everymanplayhouse To see the redevelopment as it happens, watch our live stream on our website www.everymanplayhouse.com (Sponsored by NW Systems) View our photo gallery at www.flickr.com/LivEveryPlay
HOW TO SUPPORT Call 0151 706 9124 Email donate@everymanplayhouse.com Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com/Ev4Ev Or pick up a leaflet from the Box Office
Jumble-My-Sale Saturday 29th September 2012, 12–5 pm, Heebie-Jeebies on Seel Street. Not just a jumble-sale but a retro extravaganza of cakes, smoothies, clothes, bric-a-brac, books, cd’s, raffle and tombola. Find out more about the new Everyman You can join our fundraising community and see your story online at www.everymanplayhouse.com/ev4ev Just email donate@everymanplayhouse.com with a picture, a couple of sentences about what you’re doing and a link to your Just Giving page.
Support the new Everyman