The Independent Socialist Republic Of The Upper End Of The Lower Breck Road Programme

L I V E R P O O L ’ S

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.

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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 vpark@liverpoolsroyalcoourt.com Everybody is welcome at the Royal Court Youth Theatre, there are no auditions or waiting lists to join.

The

Eleanor Rathbone Foundation

Cast & Company Liverpool’s Royal Court presents

Cast

Lucy Bromilow

Zara

Kathleen Collins

Cat

Graham Elwell

Peter

Princess Khumalo

Jane

Recorded Performances by Roy Carruthers Adam Keast

Roger News Presenter

Company

Lawrence Quilty Writer

Dan Jones Director Christopher McCourt Set & Costume Design Phil Dickinson Lighting/Sound Designer & Operator Jamie Jenkin Video Designer Marie Jones Wardrobe Supervisor Riona Gilliland Stage Manager

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

Cast Biographies Lucy Bromilow

Graham Elwell

Zara

Peter

Lucy is thrilled to be making her Royal Court stage debut. She trained

Graham is delighted to return to Liverpool after two stints at The Empire

at Bristol Old Vic and having mainly worked in London is excited to be

last year in The Bodyguard Musical, and is very excited to be making his

coming to her hometown with a terrific play and talented cast.

debut at The Royal Court.

Theatre includes: Unsettled (Stockroom); Watch on the Rhine

His other theatre work includes: Of Mice and Men (Birmingham Rep

(Donmar Warehouse); Karaoke Play (Bunker Theatre); Too Many Men

and UK tour), Last of the Duty Free (Windsor Theatre Royal and UK

(Tristan Bates); Anna of the Five Towns (New Vic Theatre); Playhouse

tour), The Elves and The Shoemaker (Norden farm Centre For The

Creatures, Swallow, The Trojan Women, (Bristol Old Vic Theatre

Arts), A Dog Called Redemption (Bolton Octagon), Rachael’s Cafe

School).

(UK and Ireland tour), Zoo Story (Pleasance Theatre), Taming of The

Television includes: Malpractice.

Shrew (Bridewell Theatre).

Short Film includes: Furloughed; A Horror Story; Isolated But Open;

TV and film includes: The Miniaturist (BBC), Trying (Apple TV), Four

Cloud 9.

Weddings and a Funeral (Hulu), Mike Bassett (ITV), Song of Songs

Feature Film includes: Adventures of a Mathematician.

(Mercenary Films), Crimewatch Solved (BBC).

Kathleen Collins Kat

Princess Khumalo Jane

Kathleen Collins is a scouse actor from Everton, made up to be making

Princess Khumalo is a Zimbabwean-Britsh actor who grew up in the

her professional debut at the Royal Court. Having trained at the Royal

north of Yorkshire. She is a LIPA grad and is really looking forward to

Welsh College of Music and Drama, it’s a privilege to be back on home

working with the Royal Court on this electric show!

turf. Growing up round the corner from Breck Road makes this play all

Theatre credits include - We need New Names (Fifth Word, New

the more special for Kathleen.

Perspectives) The Ultimate Pickle (Paines Plough), Half Empty Glasses (Paines Plough), A Sudden Violent Burst of Rain (Paines Plough, The Gate Theatre), Sleepover (All Things Considered Theatre Company), Thats What She Said (Out The Attic), The Streets Where We Live (Falling Doors, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse) Screen credits include - Asda Christmas (Rattling Stick), Holier Than Thou (DAVE), Doctors (BBC), So Awkward (CBBC).

Company Biographies Lawrence Quilty Writer

Christopher McCourt Set & Costume Design

The Independent Socialist Republic of The Upper End of The

Christopher McCourt is an innovative and creative designer based in the

Lower Breck Road is Lawrence’s debut play. Under the title ‘Peter

North West with a passion for new work and new ways of working.

Byrne is Standing Here’, the play won the 2022 Liverpool Hope Playwrit-

Specialising in Set Design and graduating from The Liverpool Institute for

ing Prize.

Performing Arts in Theatre Performance Design with a first class honours

Lawrence completed The Other Room & Bad Wolf’s Emerging Writers

in 2020.

Program in 2021. A short film, AI Think I Love You, is currently in pro-

He has previously worked with number of companies such as The Lowry

duction for BBC Wales with It’s My Shout.

for the National Theatre Connections Festival and spent some time out

Lawrence would like to thank Kevin, Jess, Clare and all the LRC team,

in Greece as part of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival. Christopher has

Liverpool Hope University, Dan Jones at The Other Room, plus anybody

designed a number of studio shows including Cosmic and Hey Bunny,

who bought a ticket, for all the faith they’ve placed in him and his silly

Get Loose. His last production was Come Together in the main house

idea.

at Liverpool’s Royal Court.

Christopher enjoys new work, he finds new work more compelling as

Dan Jones Director Born and bred in Swansea, Dan is the current Artistic Director of The

stories yet to be told and is excited to be designing this new show.

Phil Dickinson Sound & Lighting Designer & Operator

Other Room, Cardiff, where he previously worked as both Associate Director and Trainee Director.

Theatre Director credits include: An Audience with Milly-Liu (difficultlstage, Sherman Theatre, Pleasance, The Other Room); Idle They Yammer, Huno, Hela, The Awkward Years, The Effect, All But Gone, Constellation Street (The Other Room); Blink (Critical Ambition, The Other Room and Volcano Theatre); The Man, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Song from a Forgotten City (Critical Ambition).

Dan has also directed within education: Loveplay, Richard III (UWTSD).

Associate and Assistant Director credits include St Nicholas, The Dying of Today (The Other Room); Alix in Wundergarten (difficult|stage and The Other Room); All My Sons (Theatr Clwyd); King of the Sky (Pontardawe Arts Centre).

Dan has worked on various rehearsed readings and scratch nights across South Wales, with companies such as NTW, BBC Wales, BBC Arts, Dirty Protest, Sherman Theatre, The Other Room, Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and Critical Ambition. Dan graduated from the University of Exeter, is a passionate Welsh speaker and a proud alumnus of the West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company.

Phil first started working at the Royal Court as a casual backstage worker on the crew of Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels in 2007 before becoming the technician of the weekly Rawhide comedy club. After a brief attempt at being a college teacher, then spending the next 15 years as an outdoor pursuits instructor in sunny West Yorkshire, Phil was happy to return to Liverpool and the Royal Court as the full-time technician for the renovated Studio venue. In this role Phil has supported all technical aspects of many shows in the Royal Court Studio, including the critically acclaimed shows Storm in a Teacup and The Incident Room, before taking on his first official sound designer credit for the 2023 Christmas show Stocking Fillers.

Jamie Jenkin

Marie Jones

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 been part

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

of the Royal Court since it’s rebirth as a theatre in 2006. He now designs

costumier has included costumes for Oldham Coliseum, The Royal

artwork for all Royal Court productions alongside working on video content

Exchange, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Jimmy McGovern’s film Liam,

for the Royal Court stage and beyond.

Beyond Friendship for Mersey Television and the many pantomime

Video Designs for Theatre include: A Thong For Europe, Willy Russell’s Our Day Out - The Musical, A Fistful Of Collars, Lennon, Ladies Day, Hitchhikers Guide to Fazakerley, Ladies Night, Canoeing for Beginners, The Scouse Nativity, Father O’Flaherty Saves Our Souls, A Miracle On Great Homer Street, Home, Going Halves, The Royal, The Scouse Cinderella, My Fairfield Lady, Bingo Star, Two Of Us, Royal Court Selection Box, Macca & Beth, The Scouse Sleeping Beauty, The Menlove Avenue Murder Mystery, The Scousetrap, The Scouse Jack & The Beanstalk, Girls Don’t Play Guitars and Boys From The Blackstuff (Liverpool’s Royal Court); Masquerade, Knee Deep In Promises, Hey Bunny Get Loose, Stocking Fillers and Cosmic (Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio); Cured (Liverpool’s Royal Court in association with DaDaFest & Unlimited); The Dream Team and VR Family (Liverpool’s Royal Court Youth Theatre); Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Liverpool Shakespeare Festival); Scouse: A Comedy Of Terrors (Dome Liverpool); Judy & Liza (National Tour); YNWA (Alterean Productions, international tour); The Big I Am (Liverpool Everyman); Celtic The Musical (Alterean Productions, Pavilion Theatre Glasgow and SEC Glasgow); Something About George (Something About Productions, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and national tour); The Salford Docker (Salford Community Theatre, Lighthouse Salford); Our Country’s Good (Hope St Theatre); and Peter Pan (Storyhouse Chester). Jamie was also Sound Designer on Hey Bunny Get Loose, Offered Up, Stocking Fillers and Cosmic (Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio) and Our Country’s Good (Hope St Theatre).

dames who have appeared on the Everyman stage.

She has worked extensively at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and has recently been employed as full time Wardrobe Supervisor. Most recently Marie’s work at the Everyman and Playhouse has included: Much Ado About Nothing, The Electric Hills, The Flint Street Nativity, The Tempest, Unprotected, Billy Liar, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe, Urban Legend, Fly, Breezeblock Park, The Entertainer, Still Life And The Astonished Heart, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Anniversary, Dr Faustus, The May Queen, Cruel Sea and All My Sons.

Marie’s other credits include: Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, Lost Soul, Good Golly Miss Molly, Stags and Hens - The Remix, On The Ledge, Misery, Eight Miles High, Council Depot Blues, Night Collar, Dirty Dusting, Shirley Valentine, Our Day Out - The Musical, The Salon, Funny Money, Merry Ding Dong, A Fistul Of Collars, Lucky Numbers, Lennon, Scouse Pacific, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Little Scouse on the Prairie, Reds And Blues - The Musical, Ladies Day, Bouncers, Scouse Of The Antarctic, Pharaoh ‘Cross The Mersey and Down The Dock Road for Royal Court Liverpool, Brouhaha International Street Festival, Working Class Hero on the recent Imagine DVD, Costume Supervisor for many shows at LIPA, The Splash Project at MYPT and Twopence To Cross The Mersey at the Liverpool Empire.

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