Royal Court Liverpool discovers new talent from Open Audition

Jennifer Hynes is currently on stage at Royal Court Liverpool starring in Lost Soul 2.

Her first major role at Liverpool’s Royal Court, she was discovered through Open Audition and is just one of the performers from Liverpool city region who have won major roles after answering the call.

In the past year, Princess Khumalo appeared in The Independent Socialist Republic Of The Upper End Of The Lower Breck Road by Lawrence Quilty, Reiss Barber starred in Netherley Hill Billies by Barbara Phillips and Jennifer Hynes in Lost Soul 2 by Dave Kirby. Each first met the crew at the Royal Court through Open Audition.

“I’ve been working as a vocalist in Liverpool and going to the Royal Court has always been a goal of mine”, says Jennifer. “Being able to tell Scouse stories, finding content that’s relatable, I’ve always wanted to perform at the theatre and my family has always gone to shows there”.

“I found out about the Open Auditions on social media in April and got a slot. They rang me to check my availability in June and I got a recall. I had no idea I’d get this far this quickly.”

Jennifer Hynes. Image provided by Royal Court Liverpool.

The Open Auditions were announced in January in 2024 and were designed for the Royal Court to have an understanding of the talent in the region that they perhaps didn’t know about. They were designed to create a bank of actors aged 18 and over from anywhere in the region to cast in future productions.

The theatre has seven or eight shows all produced in-house for the main stage each year, plus lots in The Studio, and has plenty of great roles on offer, and wants to make sure it finds exactly the right person for each one.

Harvey Robinson is Assistant Producer at Liverpool’s Royal Court looking after Talent Development.

“The Open Auditions have been really successful in introducing new or emerging talent in the whole region. We have seen performers on the main stage, The Studio and also Stage Write, our regular night which sees developing work performed by a cast of actors.

“It’s vital for us as a theatre, and a theatre that produces new work, that we have a constant supply of new talent who can help us tell the incredible stories that come to us.”

For Jennifer, her starring run in Lost Soul 2 is a fantastic experience so far.

“I’m having the best time. Everyone is looking after me and answering questions. Bob (Eaton) and Dave (Kirby) have been really supportive and incredible with the character. It’s been great to work with an experienced cast. Lindzi Germain (who also stars in Lost Soul 2) is so hard working and it’s amazing having people like her in the cast. We laugh but we work hard so it’s a lovely atmosphere to be part of.”