Cosmic Show Programme

COSMIC Liverpool’s Royal Court presents

Written by Joe McNally • Directed by Deborah Yhip • Set & Costume Design by Christopher McCourt

L I V E R P O O L ’ S

Show Programme

R O Y A L

C O U R T

Talent Development

Liverpool’s Royal Court continues on its journey to work towards talent development across the city

Maurice Bessman

Music Access All Areas

Boisterous Stage Write

There is no doubt Liverpool is renowned for its wealth of talent but we, along with the rest of our city’s theatre organisations and institutions, recognise we need to do more to ensure we are accessible, engaging and aspirational if we are to be truly representative and inclusive of the communities we serve. It is a long-term continuing process and funding is key as is working together with the theatres across the region.

Over the past three years we have laid down the foundations, initiating our plans for meaningful and real change. This includes the theatre’s programming, engagement, accessibility and relationships with artistes, communities, creatives, individuals, institutions, organisations, Schools/FE. We are working towards ensuring our talent development programmes are applicable, realistic and robust.

Listening and engaging in the first instance to a wide cross section of creatives and communities – recognising and taking ownership of our failure to be fully inclusive and to take a proactive approach to ensure there is inclusivity and diversity across the sector A brief look at a few of our talent development projects so far:

Community Music AAA (Access All Areas) is a partnership project together with three grassroots organisations: Positive Impact, Capoeira For All, and Catalyst performing arts supported by funding from Youth Music. Children and young people aged 6 – 25 can access free musical instruments, musical theatre, hip hop, dance, singing, drama and performance

Raw Talent Young people from our youth theatre continue to have access to auditions and employment opportunities – during the past 3 years, 6 young people have been cast in Terriers, written by Maurice Bessman touring to schools and venues across the country.

More recently working with Fury films, 120 young people aged 15 – 25 from across the city took part in audition workshops for the film of Terriers at Fire Fit in South Liverpool, MYA’s Space in Bootle and The Vibe in Huyton. 8 young people will be working with the Director to support the script development.

Mentoring This is a pilot programme supported by PH Holt Trust and Curious Minds – eight mentors from the creative industries have been paired with mentees – providing support, guidance and shadowing opportunities in acting, marketing, production, directing, writing, set design, and music skills.

This talent development initiative will support eight young black, asian and minority artistes and creatives develop their skills as they progress through the industry.

Programming Our Boisterous Theatre strand of programming brought us a main house production of Bouncers, in August and September introducing four new actors to the main house stage – and new audiences to the theatre.

The Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase – now a regular bi-monthly show presenting some of the best black comedians and singers on the circuit and with a platform to showcase emerging and existing local talent.

Co-production with Red Ladder in September/October, with a cast of professional actors and 20 members of our community choir.

Stagewrite – our new writing classes/workshops to encourage and support new writers to develop their work to full production.

We continue on our journey with a number of other talent development initiatives in progress as a matter of priority to ensure we remain accessible, adaptable and continually listen and learn. It will take time and investment and with your continuing support for all we do. We will make a difference.

A GREAT PLACE TO EAT AND DRINK WITH FRIENDS IN THE HEART OF THE CITY CENTRE

PRE-THEATRE MENU AVAILABLE 4PM TO 7PM MONDAY TO SATURDAY 2 COURSES FOR £18

3 COURSES FOR £22

89 Roe St, Liverpool, L1 1EP 0151 702 5891 courtyardbk.co.uk

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A fresh, new, innovative and relevant youth theatre company based at the iconic Royal Court Theatre designed by young people for young people.

The Royal Court Youth Theatre delivers a range of opportunities free of charge for young people aged 11 – 25 from every part of the City.

If you are interested in a career in the arts or just looking for something to do, come along to one of our sessions or workshops. You will learn about everything from acting to stage management; fundraising to writing scripts.

Do you know a young person who has a passion for theatre, acting, singing, dancing or writing? Tell them to complete an expression of interest form by visiting liverpoolsroyalcourt.com/youth-theatre Alternatively you can call 0151 702 5892 or email education@royalcourttrust.org Everybody is welcome at the Royal Court Youth Theatre, there are no auditions or waiting lists to join.

The

Eleanor Rathbone Foundation

Cast & Company

COSMIC Liverpool’s Royal Court presents

Cast

Claire Hackett

Lesley

Connor Henry

Oisin

Andy McLeod

Vinnie

Mark Rice-Oxley

Ernie

Kalli Tant

Kirsty

Company Joe McNally

Writer

Deborah Yhip

Director

Christopher McCourt

Designer

Jamie Jenkin

Sound & Video Designer

Marie Jones

Wardrobe Supervisor

Rae Woods

Technical Stage Manager

Lizzie O’Sullivan

Props Assistant

Alicia Southerton

Rehearsal Assistant

Helena Harvey

LX Programmer

Jamie Haining

Chief LX

Set by Liverpool’s Royal Court Sean Gannon

Head of Technical

John Kavanagh

Workshop Manager

Jen Baron

Scenic Art Manager

Mick Gunnigle

Carpenter

Jonathan Defty

Carpenter

Mike Gray

Carpenter

Dave Davies

Carpenter

Thanks to Howard Gray

Cast Biographies However, this is the 16th time he has been in the original cast of a new play.

Claire Hackett So happy to be working at the Royal Court theatre at such an exciting time. I’m originally from the Wirral and when I was 18, was lucky enough to receive a scholarship to train at R.A.D.A. Since then I have spent all my working life as an actor in theatre, tv and film. I was Linda in Willy Russell’s film Dancing thru the Dark, that people of a certain age may remember and Mam in Liam by Jimmy McGovern, both films set and shot in Liverpool. On telly I’ve been in Corrie occasionally and Line of Duty amongst other things but have spent the last few years back in theatre which is where I started. I have wanted to work in Liverpool again for a long time so thanks to the Royal Court my wish has come true and to be part of this production of a new play written by home grown talent Joe McNally, is the icing on the cake!

Connor Henry Born and brought up in a rural village of County Tyrone, North of Ireland.

I spent my days of youth playing Gaelic football. Leaving school, I started working in McDonald’s. I then got the sack for not showing up.

What? I was hungover. I then went to work on an engineering site or 2, it didn’t take me long to realise I was in the wrong place. I started a Performimg Arts diploma locally in 2017-2019 where I found my love for acting. From there, i got accepted in to The Arden School of Theatre, Manchester (2019-2022) to do Musical Theatre. After finding out the hard way that ballet wasn’t for me, I then jumped ship to the Acting course half way through my first year. Hands down the best decision I ever made. So yeah, this is my first thing, hopefully not my last. I’m really excited for it and I am so privledged to be able to work with such a great company, writer, director and production team and be able to bring it to life in front of the lovely people of Liverpool. What a city man. I would like to dedicate my performance to my family and friends that always believed in me. Thank you Mammy.

Mark Rice-Oxley Mark was previously at the Royal Court playing all the male characters in Liver Birds Flying Home. You may also have seen him locally in Sweeney Todd, Bright Phoenix, Frantic Assembly’s Pool (no water) or The Kindness of Strangers at the Everyman; or Miracle on 34th St or The Entertainer at the Playhouse. You probably didn’t see him in shows he did in Barbados or New York.

Mark played Mickey in the last six months of the 23 years Blood Brothers was in the West End so perhaps it was his fault it closed.

If you like Audiobooks, Mark has narrated more than 40 titles currently available on Audible. The best one is called Devils and Saints.

Andy Mcleod I’m a Liverpool lad who trained at University of Hull and East 15. This is my first time working at Liverpool’s Royal Court and I’m really excited to share Cosmic with you all. It’s great to be home!

Recent stage credits include: Children of the Night (CAST Doncaster), There Should Be Unicorns (Middle Child Theatre), Macbeth (Kenneth More Theatre), the UK and International tour of User Not Found (Dante Or Die), Secret Life of Humans (New Diorama Theatre), Down & Out in Paris and London (New Diorama Theatre), Kings (Smoke & Oakum), Vassa Zheleznova (The Faction/Southwark Playhouse) and Border Men (King’s Head Theatre).

Recent screen credits include: The Outlaws (Big Talk Productions), EastEnders (BBC),The Beast Must Die (New Regency Productions), Sham Love Series (Zikora Studios), Past Tense (SAE Institute), The Nest (Beyond Fiction) and The Introduction (The Curious Room).

Kalli Tant I am a Liverpool lass born and bred, so I am over the moon to be making my Liverpool Royal Court debut. To perform alongside an excellent cast, in this brilliant play Cosmic has been amazing.

Last year I played Beth in ‘Our Town Needs A Nando’s’ at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre, so am very excited to be back on home soil.

Screen credits include: Silverpoint (CBBC), The Responder (BBC) .

Company Biographies Joe McNally

Christopher McCourt

Writer

Designer

Cosmic is Joe McNally’s first full length play. He has taken part in

Christopher is an innovative and creative designer based in the

the Everyman YEP Playwright Programme, and most recently this

Northwest with a passion for new work and new ways of. He

theatre’s Stage Write Playwright Development Programme. Joe is

graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in 2020

both a playwright and screenwriter, and is currently in development

with a first class Honours.

on a number of projects.

Deborah Yhip Director

Christopher has previously worked with a number of companies such as The Lowry for the National Theatre Connections Festival and spent some time out in Greece as part of the Athens and Epidaurus festival.

He has also worked on a number of the Royal Courts main house shows as a scenic artist. He developed the set for a touring show

I am very pleased to be directing Joe McNally ‘s Cosmic for the Royal Court - let’s hope the first of many!

Many moons ago started out in youth theatre and I began my theatre career as an actor at the Liverpool Playhouse. Acted for a few other theatre companies before gaining a Hope Street Project Trainne Directors Bursary. Subsequently directed first show, Ain’t I A Woman which toured Merseyside community centres, schools and the Everyman; Soul Sisters Melody at the Everyman.

Other directing credits include: Downfall, Mules for Manchester Contact, Belle at The Gate, O-U-T Spells Out Blackpool Grand; RNT Studio: Paper Jackets, The Changeling, A Streetcar Named Desire; Phillis for Nottingham Playhouse; House Of Blue Leaves for Central School, The World And Life Of George Orwell for Arts Ed School, Twelfth Night Aberdeen College.

Associate and Assistant director on various shows for Black Mime, BTC, Adizo Dance company, Dukes Theatre Lancaster, Traverse, London Royal Court, RNT and Theatre de Complicte.

with Levantes Dance Theatre which is to travel around the UK and Europe later this year. His last production was Two Of Us in the main house at Liverpool’s Royal Court.

Jamie Jenkin

Marie Jones

Sound & Video Designer

Wardrobe Supervisor

Jamie is the in-house graphic and video designer at Liverpool’s Royal Court.

Marie studied fashion and then moved on to theatre costume

Starting as marketing assistant at the theatre in 2005, he has designed

interpretation at Mabel Fletcher College. Marie’s work as a freelance

artwork for over 100 shows.

costumier has included costumes for Oldham Coliseum, The Royal

Video Designs for Theatre include: Willy Russell’s Our Day Out - The Musical, A Fistul Of Collars, Lennon, Ladies Day, Hitchhikers Guide to Fazakerley, Ladies Night, Canoeing

Exchange, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Jimmy McGovern’s film Liam, Beyond Friendship for Mersey Television and the many pantomime dames who have appeared on the Everyman stage.

for Beginners, The Scouse Nativity, Father O’Flaherty Saves Our

She has worked extensively at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse

Souls, A Miracle On Great Homer Street, Home, Going Halves,

and has recently been employed as full time Wardrobe Supervisor. Most

The Royal, The Scouse Cinderella, My Fairfield Lady, Royal Court

recently Marie’s work at the Everyman and Playhouse has included:

Selection Box, Macca & Beth, The Scouse Sleeping Beauty, The

Much Ado About Nothing, The Electric Hills, The Flint Street

Menlove Avenue Murder Mystery, The Scousetrap, The Scouse

Nativity, The Tempest, Unprotected, Billy Liar, Who’s Afraid

Jack & The Beanstalk , Bingo Star and Girls Don’t Play Guitars

of Virginia Woolfe, Urban Legend, Fly, Breezeblock Park, The

(Liverpool’s Royal Court); Masquerade, Knee Deep In Promises, Hey

Entertainer, Still Life And The Astonished Heart, Ma Rainey’s

Bunny Get Loose and Stocking Fillers (Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio);

Black Bottom, The Anniversary, Dr Faustus, The May Queen,

Cured (Liverpool’s Royal Court in association with DaDaFest & Unlimited);

Cruel Sea and All My Sons.

The Dream Team and VR Family (Liverpool’s Royal Court Youth Theatre);

Marie’s other credits include: Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, Lost

Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Liverpool Shakespeare

Soul, Good Golly Miss Molly, Stags and Hens - The Remix, On

Festival); Scouse: A Comedy Of Terrors (Dome Liverpool); Judy & Liza

The Ledge, Misery, Eight Miles High, Council Depot Blues,

(National Tour); YNWA (Alterean Productions, international tour); The Big

Night Collar, Dirty Dusting, Shirley Valentine, Our Day Out - The

I Am (Liverpool Everyman); Celtic The Musical (Alterean Productions,

Musical, The Salon, Funny Money, Merry Ding Dong, A Fistul

Pavilion Theatre Glasgow and SEC Glasgow); Something About George

Of Collars, Lucky Numbers, Lennon, Scouse Pacific, You’ll Never

(Something About Productions, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and national

Walk Alone, Little Scouse on the Prairie, Reds And Blues - The

tour); The Salford Docker (Salford Community Theatre, Lighthouse

Musical, Ladies Day, Bouncers, Scouse Of The Antarctic, Pharaoh

Salford); Our Country’s Good (Hope St Theatre); and Peter Pan

‘Cross The Mersey and Down The Dock Road for Royal Court

(Storyhouse Chester). Jamie was also Sound Designer on Hey Bunny Get

Liverpool, Brouhaha International Street Festival, Working Class Hero on

Loose, Offered Up and Stocking Fillers (Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio)

the recent Imagine DVD, Costume Supervisor for many shows at LIPA,

and Our Country’s Good (Hope St Theatre).

The Splash Project at MYPT and Twopence To Cross The Mersey at the Liverpool Empire.

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