Cast announced for Everyman Theatre's new Liverpool-based production 'Takeaway'

Set in a family-run Caribbean takeaway in Liverpool, Takeaway, written by the theatre’s Creative Director Nathan Powell, is a vibrant new family comedy-drama about community changes and generational tensions.

The production runs from Saturday 26 April to Saturday 17 May 2025.

The story follows matriarch Carol Hylton and her two daughters as they navigate generational clashes, community struggles, and their place in modern Liverpool. With a block of luxury apartments about to be built over a local field, anger’s rising and things are getting spicy.

Carol, a mother and takeaway owner with a powerful presence, is played by Phina Oruche. Oruche began her career as a model before appearing in television and film productions, including Footballers’ Wives (ITV), for which she won a Screen Nation Award for Favourite TV Star, as well as Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Mutant Enemy) and The Unit (CBS). Her one-woman show, Identity Crisis, debuted at the Edinburgh Fringe and was subsequently performed in London, New York and Shakespeare North.

Carol’s two daughters are Browning and Shelly. Browning, Carol’s eldest daughter, is played by Adi Alfa, a multi-award-winning actress whose credits include Dark Star Rising (20 Stories High), The Gathering (ITV), and the film Saved. Shelly has recently returned to Liverpool from London, eager to make a change for the family. She is played by Bene Sebuyange, a North West-based actor and spoken word artist. Sebuyange is a two-time slam champion with The Poet Society. Shelly’s boyfriend, Richard, is a housing officer who grew up in Toxteth.

Richard is played by Bill Caple, a 2022 graduate of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, whose credits include Dear England (National Theatre), Doctors (BBC Studios), and The Responder Series 2 (BBC). The restaurant’s cook, who has a deep care for the family, is played by Wayne Rollins. Rollins’ theatre credits include the National Theatre tour of Sucker Punch and Nine Night at Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse.

Takeaway is a big bowl of fun, heartbreak, and chaos, served up by the theatres’ Creative Director, Nathan Powell. Powell was previously Artistic Director of the National Student Drama Festival (NSDF) and has also worked as Creative Producer and Associate Artist for the theatres’ associate company, 20 Stories High. His directing credits include Alice in Wonderland (Shakespeare North Playhouse), The Mountaintop (Leicester Curve and UK tour), and Sucker Punch (Queens Theatre Hornchurch, in association with the National Theatre). As a writer and adapter, his work includes Pleasant Land and Homegirl (both for Derby Theatre).

Speaking about Takeaway, Nathan Powell says:

“This is a play made for the Everyman — joyous, challenging, anarchic and has Liverpool at its core. It’s about family, about community, and about finding joy and resilience even in difficult times. I want Takeaway to feel like you’re sitting in the restaurant with these characters, laughing with them, arguing with them, and ultimately rooting for them. It’s the perfect first show for me as Creative Director here, because it’s a story that could only come from this city, told in the unique way only incredible performers from the city can.”

Directed by Amanda Huxtable (Nine Night, Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse; Everything I Own, Hull Truck Theatre). Joining the creative team are Set and Costume Designer Georgia Wilmot (Elephant, Bush Theatre), Lighting Designer Laura Howard (The Legend of Ned Ludd, Liverpool Everyman) and Sound Designer Ernest Acquah (Alice in Wonderland, The Wind in The Willows and A Christmas Carol, all are at Shakespeare North Playhouse).

Scarlet (Red) Robinson-Stanley, from Young Everyman and Playhouse (YEP) joins the production as a Trainee Assistant Director, working alongside director Amanda Huxtable.

Takeaway is a vibrant production filled with humour, family tensions, and mouth-watering food. Created especially for the Everyman stage and the city of Liverpool, it offers the perfect recipe for an entertaining night out, combining laughter, music, and heartfelt family drama.

Accessible performances include a captioned performance on Wednesday 30 April at 7:30pm, a British Sign Language (BSL) performance on Saturday 3 May at 2pm, and an audio-described performance on Friday 9 May at 7:30pm.