Everyman & Playhouse Theatres set to champion local talent as Directors Festival returns

The annual YEP Directors Festival takes place at Liverpool Everyman from Friday 27 September to Saturday 12 October.

Following the festival, on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October, the YEP Writers Showcase will present new works by nine YEP writers. With five directors collaborating with YEP Producers and YEP Technicians, this year’s festival highlights the new talents emerging from the award-winning Young Everyman & Playhouse [YEP] programme.

The first show of the festival is Play House by Martin Crimp. It tells the story of a young couple, Simon and Katrina, played by Reice Carmichael and Sophie Wolstencroft, as they attempt to make a home across thirteen brief scenes, covering work, pregnancy, parents, and weird neighbours. The play is directed by Eira Murphy, produced by Natalia Szumiec, and runs on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September. 

Ruckus by Jenna Fincken is a one-woman thriller inspired by true stories of women’s experiences. It delves into the issue of coercive control, a problem that tragically claims the lives of up to three women a week in the UK. Olivia Parsons plays Louise, with her partner Ryan voiced offstage by Francis J. Brack. Directed by Kate Thornhill and produced by Jay Branigan, it runs on Tuesday 1 and Wednesday 2 October. 

Bull by Mike Bartlett, directed by Dominic Quinn and produced by Libby Laycock will be on stage from Friday 4 to Saturday 5 October. An exploration of the blurred lines between office politics and playground bullying. Three young, highly ambitious employees Tony, Thomas and Isobel are played by Reiss Barber, Adam Gannon and Lizzie Wilde, and the manager Carter is played by Cellan Scott. 

Middle by David Eldridge, directed by Olivia Byrne and produced by Ellie Luke, delves into the relationship between Maggie and Gary, played by Heather Tomlinson and Cellan Scott, as it reaches a crossroads. This sharp drama offers a poignant portrayal of middle-aged, middle-class marriage runs on Tuesday 8 and Wednesday 9 October. 

Burying Your Brother in the Pavement by Jack Thorne is a play specially written for young people, telling a story of sibling grief with emotional honesty and imaginative flair. Tom is played by Alfie Ross, Joel Cousins as Luke, and Molly Rosa Hannah plays their sister Courtney. Sam Kelly portrays Luke’s friend, Tight and features Jemma Iveson in various roles. This play, directed by Tyler Kane and produced by Caitlin Henry, runs on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 October. This year’s Festival Producer is Kathryn McEvilly. 

Hayley Lindley-Thornhill, Head of Young People & Community of the Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse theatres said:  

“YEP Directors Festival is a very special event as it marks the end of our training programme for 18-25 year old Directors. Since February, they have been developing and learning their skills and directing their first full-length show in our studio space. Each Director is supported by one of our YEP Producers with a team of technicians from our YEP Technicians programme. It enables our YEP company to collaborate with each other and really takeover our spaces.”

Following the YEP Directors Festival, the YEP Writers Showcase will take place on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October. The event will spotlight new work by this year’s YEP Writers, including Sam Cooper, Anais Paul, Libby Raby, Hope Tsuma, Ro Lewis, Erin Eynon-Daly, Liana Khonje, Evyn Seaton-Mooney, and Beattie. There will be an open casting call for four paid acting opportunities for the Showcase. Details will be shared on our website on Friday 23 August. 

Tommo Fowler, New Works Associate of the theatres added: 

“Over the past year, a group of young poets, screen-writers, essayists and artists have come together to read, watch, analyse and disagree about plays – and now the time has come for them to write one! 

This incisive and hilarious group of emerging playwrights will be showcasing ten-minute scenes, putting all they’ve learned into practice to create a constellation of pieces that are sure to entertain, move and inspire.“ 

YEP offers training in directing, creative writing, and technical theatre for 18-25 year olds. The Directors Festival and Writers Showcase are supported by the Everyman & Playhouse Theatres, which have been igniting creative sparks and fostering talent development for decades.

Tickets are priced at £5 and you can get them on the Everyman & Playhouse Theatres website here.