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
Company
Paddy Clarke
Joe Shipman
Charlotte Murphy
Phil Dickinson
Mitch Fujii Williams
Shannon Blackwood
Sean Gannon
Andrea Claire
Cast
Carl Cockram
Michael Hawkins
Daniel Owen
Roman Ryan Grant
Tony Johnny Finn
Writer Director
Designer
Sound & Lighting Designer
Head of Wardrobe
Costume Supervisor
Production Manager
Deputy Stage Manager
Set by Liverpool’s Royal Court
Sean Gannon
John Kavanagh
Jen Baron
Abbie Jones
Shaun Gillespie
Mike Gray
Dave Davies
Head of Technical
Workshop Manager
Scenic Art Manager
Scenic Artist
Carpenter
Carpenter
Carpenter
Rehearsal Photos
Photos by Liverpool’s Royal Court
Cast Biographies
Carl Cockram Grant
I am so proud to be part of this amazing new comedy and so lovely to be welcomed into the Royal Court family..!!!
Grant could be a Scouse Lebowski with all his attitude and bath robe..!
I hope you enjoy watching as much as we have making it..!
Graduated LIPA too long ago to remember.. and have enjoyed performing and directing all over the world..!!
My previous theatre work includes: Whatever the Weather, Tony Teardrop, Waiting for Brando, The Quiet Little Englishman, The Maurie, Gorrilla.
Film credits include: One letter (Slick Films), As for Me (Wislocki films), Being Keegan (Omletto), The swimming Man (L A Productions) In The Name Of the Father (stand in Daniel Day Lewis) and Big Society.
Michael Hawkins Tony
Michael graduated from Salford University in 2013 with a HND in Media and Performance.
TV and film credits include; The Long Shadow, Coronation Street, Cilla, Tina And Bobby, Until I Kill You (ITV), Dead Hot (Amazon Prime), Bank Of Dave (Netflix) Walk Like A Panther (Fox International) and various cutting room floors.
Stage credits include; The Peaceful Hour, Lost Soul 2 (Royal Court Liverpool), Cilla The Musical (BKL), A Midsummer Nights Dream, Ray + Julie (Liverpool Everyman), Macbeth (Daniel Taylor Productions), Not The Horse, Sheep, The Comeback Special (Naughty Corner Productions), Ball Of Fire (Blue Park Theatre), Scouse: A Comedy Of Terrors (Lantern Theatre) and Caged Time (Silent Gutter).
Radio; When Elvis Met The Beatles (BBC Radio 2).
Michael is also a singer/songwriter/guitarist in local band Ugly Baby.
Michael is delighted to be back at the Royal Court Studio and hopes you enjoy this magical feast.
When Michael isn’t acting, he can be found writing about himself in the third person.
Daniel Owen Johnny
Daniel is a Liverpool born actor. With previous training from The National Youth Theatre in London and Year Out Drama in Stratford-upon-Avon, Dan is currently based in Bristol about to enter his second year of training at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Roman Ryan Finn
Hi, I’m Roman! I grew up in Liverpool, raised on stories, sarcasm, and Scouse charm. I moved to Manchester to train (I swear I’m not a traitor - just broadening my horizons, not switching sides). Thrilled to be part of this project, fuelled by this amazing script, a brilliant crew and the ongoing search for a chip shop that could rival Abrakebabra.
Find me on instagram at @roman.r1
Company Biographies
Paddy Clarke Writer
Paddy Clarke is a Liverpool-born writer who recently completed the Royal Court writers’ development programme. He first started writing theatre during lockdown, when his play ‘The Unending Death Of Ethel Hole’ was shortlisted for the Kenneth Branagh Drama Award. Following this, Paddy completed the Everyman Theatre’s Playwrights’ Programme and his play ‘A Submarine For Mice’ was longlisted for the Bruntwood Award and was then a finalist at TipTray Theatre’s What Happens Next Festival in 2024.
Paddy’s new play ‘Sauce and Sorcery’ was created during his time on the Royal Court’s Stage Write Programme. The play is inspired by his love for late night takeaways and wizards, using this as a comedic vehicle to explore family relationships and how we move on after a loved one’s passing. When not writing theatre Paddy works in TV Development and performs poetry around the NorthWest.
Joe Shipman Director
I’m a Liverpool native creative jack-of-all-trades, working as a director, actor, dramaturg, and facilitator with over 15 years’ experience in making theatre that’s predominently very silly, but always full of heart. I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with award-winning artists and companies across the UK, working on everything from intimate studio shows to large-scale outdoor spectacles. Whether I’m working with professional actors, young people, or community groups, my goal is always the same: to make work that connects – and to have a good time doing it.
I’m delighted to be back at the Royal Court after the joyful experience of directing Helen Carter’s Merry Christmas Carol. Lately, I’ve been enjoying a deep dive into youth theatre, creating four shows in the past year as Youth Theatre Director at Storyhouse in Chester, working with some glorious young people aged 5 to 17. This work has equally kept me on my toes and put a spring in my step.
Other recent projects include providing directorial and dramaturgical support for international clown Duncan Cameron’s one-man show Viva, and working as dramaturg on Teatro Pomodoro’s Peepshow: Battle Royale
When I’m not in a theatre, I’m probably dressed as a bumblebee with EggPeople – a street theatre company I co-founded. We create interactive outdoor performances and communityled projects at festivals and events across the UK, while also supporting and mentoring emerging artists.
Charlotte Murphy Set & Costume Designer
Charlotte Murphy is a North West-based performance designer and maker, and a graduate of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts. She is a member of the Society of British Theatre Designers (SBTD) and recently completed a Set and Costume Design Residency at The Hammond, Chester, where her credits include Into the Woods, Carrie: The Musical, and Jesus Christ Superstar. Other professional credits include The Flood: A Musical (UK Tour), The Crucible and John Proctor is the Villain (Leeds Playhouse), The Long Drift (Unity Theatre), Macbeth (St Luke’s Bombed Out Church), and Chester Mystery Plays 2023 (Design Associate, Chester Cathedral)
Phil Dickinson Sound & Lighting Designer
I first started working at the Royal Court as backstage crew, pushing trucks for Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels in 2007 before becoming the sound technician of the Rawhide comedy club. After spending 15 years away from my hometown in other careers, I returned to theatre and Liverpool’s Royal Court as the full-time technician of the new and improved Studio venue in 2023. Since then I have created lighting and sound designs for many performances in the venue including critically acclaimed shows The Incident Room (2023), The Independent Socialist Republic of the Upper End of the Lower Breck Road (2024), Making It (2024), I Am Stephen Gerrard (2024), It’s A Wonderful Life (2024), Stocking Fillers (2023 & 2024) and Pass the Parcel (2025). I am very much looking forward to bringing a touch of Studio “magic” to Sauce and Sorcery and hope you find it hilarious and enchanting!
Shannon Blackwood
Wardrobe Supervisor
Shannon is a designer and maker for stage and screen. A recent graduate from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, studying Theatre Performance Design. Her costume journey started at Edinburgh College where she studied Costume for Stage and Screen and soon she will be heading to London to design a new musical called The Gardening Club
Royal Court Staff
Executive Producer Kevin Fearon
Chief Executive Gillian Miller
Head of Finance & Administration Gary O’Connor
Creative Producer Jess Bolger
Head of Marketing Kofi Ohene-Djan
Head of Operations Ailsa Morris
Executive Chef David Assall
HR & Finance Manager Alison Ward
Graphic Designer & Brand Manager Jamie Jenkin
Assistant Producer Clare Carlucci
Marketing Managers Iain Christie and Lily Hagan
Workshop Manager John Kavanagh
Social Media Manager Clara Mbirimi
Head of Technical & Production Sean Gannon
Resident Stage Manager Andrew Lock
Scenic Art Manager Jen Baron
Box Office & Sales Manager Lauren Macauley
Assistant Box Office Manager Laura Lees
Head of Community Engagement Miriam Mussa
Well Being Training Manager Maria Schumann
Costume Supervisor Marie Jones
Finance Administrator Izzie Litwin
Venue Administrator Phil McLoughlin
Assistant Producer - Talent Development Harvey Robinson
Daytime Technician Gary Currin
Studio Technician Phil Dickinson
LX Technician Martyn Case
HR & Payroll Administrator Gilly Taylor
Executive Assistant Joe Morris
Building Maintenance Technician Bob Smith
Box Office Assistants
Erica Drummond, Finn Goulden-Jennings, Carl Lees, Scarlet Lees, Anna Miller, Pat O’Neill, Susan Segar, and Angela Simms
Fire Officer Sam Massen
Stage Door Julia Darcy, Allan Dodd, Sven Key and Izzie Litwin
Kitchen
Chefs Thomas Alexander, Keane Pritchard, Jay Quinn, Josh Eglin, Jack While and Nick Watson
Kitchen Porters Hezekiah Abramson, Debbie Chisam, Louise Dodd and Luke Dunn
Front of House
FOH Manager Kathy Hutson
Assistant FOH Managers Paul Imrie and Brendon Wright
Shift Supervisors Sammie Hunter
Bar Supervisors Jordan Barkely
Floor Supervisors Michael Hall and Katie Sherman
Front of House Staff Hebron Abraha, Beth Baccino, Jordan Barkley, Hazel Bawden, Cameron Brown, Azize Dia, Holly Evans, Charlotte Freyne, Michael Hall, Samantha Hunter, Lily Hutson, Callum Johnstone, Elizabeth Kendrick, Michael James, Charlotte Kendrick Jones, Raia Kiernan, Jackie Kirton, Cherry Kim, Takunda Kudzunga, Hansol Lee, Phil Lyne, Sam Massen, Lukas Matuzevicius, Joseph McGee, Isabella Renshaw, Theo Stock-Best, Joseph O’Neil, Christiano Samuel, Katie Sherman and Mohan Welstand-Keryk.
Cleaners
Cleaning Supervisor: Debbie Chisam, Billie Chisam, Joanne Kinsella, Claire Wilson and Julie Wright.
And a big thank you to all of our freelance and security staff for their hard work throughout the year.
