Huge lineup of shows announced for Liverpool’s Everyman and Playhouse theatres

Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse has announced its new programme of work, the first under Creative Director Suba Das.

It confirms the venues’ commitment to artistic innovation, talent development and social change, whilst reflecting and entertaining the people of Liverpool and beyond. The programme boasts world premieres from local creatives developed by the Everyman & Playhouse, co-commissions with the some of the foremost arts companies in the UK, and two productions directed by Suba Das; the 40th anniversary production of Caryl Churchill’s Top Girls and the return of the Everyman’s celebrated rock ‘n’ roll panto presented by a new creative team comprising many of theatre’s most exciting practitioners.

Also announced are collaborations with a host of UK theatrical organisations who will work with local artists, share knowledge and produce work that is more representative of the world in which we live. The first is A Billion Times I Love You supported by Liverpool’s Homotopia and in 2023 a bold new musical version of Alice in Wonderland with Stockroom; and High Times and Dirty Monsters produced with20 Stories High and Graeae. Full details will be announced later this year.

Suba Das, who comes to the city having led the acclaimed theatre company HighTide, said:

“The Liverpool Everyman, together with the Playhouse, have long held one of the greatest reputations in the world as powerhouses of new writing and talent development – it’s what drew me to this incredible role and opportunity. I’m unbelievably privileged to have joined a team who are committed to change and transformation, and ensuring we’re a theatre that now leads the way in developing an even wider array of voices and stories that reflect our city and the world we live in.

It’s challenging for us all right now as we emerge from a pandemic and into a cost-of-living crisis, so it’s been a joy to spend my first three months in my new home connecting with old friends and making new ones. It’s through these partnerships and projects that I hope we can ensure that even in tough times, our audiences and artists continue to choose our theatres as their home too – a place where they know their stories and experiences are valued and celebrated.”

The theatres confirm their commitment to young people and the development of talent from the Liverpool City Region with their first production, A Billion Times I Love You by Patrick Maguire, a graduate of the award-winning Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) programme, which is celebrating its 10^th year. A Billion Times I Love You opens at the Everyman Theatre on Tuesday 27 September (press night 29 September) and is supported by Homotopia, the longest running LGBTQIA arts festival in the UK (happening every November), who support and platform local, national, and international LGBTQIA artists.

Suba’s first directing role at the theatres, opening on 25 November (press night 29 November) will be the legendary Everyman rock ‘n’ roll panto, which for 2022 will be a new version of Red Riding Hood. He has assembled a diverse and multi-award-winning creative team, blending the brilliance of past shows with inventive new voices.

Another big literary title re-imagined for the Playhouse stage in 2023, will be The Beekeeper of Aleppo, adapted by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler from the acclaimed novel by Christy Lefteri. The Beekeeper of Aleppo runs at the Playhouse from 1 to 11 March and is now on sale.

Building relationships with exceptional UK Theatre companies is vital to Suba’s developing creative vision. This includes a strong collaboration with 20 Stories High as this autumn the Everyman plays host to their State of Mind Symposium on 3 November.

As well as its own productions and collaborations, ensuring the best in UK theatre and entertainment comes to the city, the theatres also announce further additions to their autumn visiting programme. This includes supporting Liverpool-based Paperwork to take their digital project Deep Blue from its original digital incarnation onto the Everyman stage (20 to 22 October).

At the Playhouse Frantic Assembly return with Othello (4 to 8 October), English Touring Theatre re-imagine The Importance of Being Earnest (11 to 15 October), and Pilot Theatre bring a stage adaptation ofNoughts & Crosses (22 to 26 November). For younger children there’s The Smartest Giant in Town (25 to 29 October) and at Christmas the global hit musical SIX is back for an extended run (6 December to 8 January) after its previous sell-out visit.

Comedy nights include Joanne McNally: The Prosecco Express (22 October, Playhouse), Kiri Pritchard-McClean: Home Truths (17 September, Playhouse), David O’Doherty: whoa with me (11 November, Playhouse) Flo & Joan: Sweet Release (12 November, Playhouse), Mark Thomas: Black & White (16-17 November, Playhouse), Jon Culshaw with Les Dawson Flying High (19 November, Playhouse) and podcasts and Brown Girls Do It Too (4 November, Playhouse) and Drunk Women Solving Crime (10 September, Everyman).

Music events include the Choir With No Name (9 September, Everyman) and RUSH Theatre Company’s The King of Reggae (16 September, Playhouse). The Everyman will also play host to Melanie C in Conversation as she launches her new autobiography (14 September, Everyman) and a very specialAudience with The Scaffold; as Mike McCartney, Roger McGough and John Gorman are reunited for two very special performances of comedy, poetry and music back where they first performed in 1964 (29 October, Everyman).

Aside from the on-stage programme, the theatres are committed to further opening up their spaces to meet, be creative and feel connected. Most notably at the Everyman with the return of Life Rooms (a partnership, developed pre-pandemic with NHS Mersey Care), an Artist in Residence programme in collaboration withdot-art and supporting The Comedy Trust with Laughter After Loss. With regular, comedy, music, spoken word, drag cabaret nights and backstage tours too, the Everyman continues to strive to be a welcoming and safe space for all.

Further information and tickets are available now at www.everymanplayhouse.com or by calling the information line on 0151 709 4776