E&P Announces First Everyman Company Season

The season of productions to be performed by the resident Acting Company at the Everyman has been announced. The Company will comprise of 14 actors, a team of three designers and in-house directors Gemma Bodinetz, Nick Bagnall and Matt Rutter, whilst Young Everyman Playhouse will become ever more integrated in to the company. Performing in the round, from February to June the Company will perform Fiddler on the Roof, The Conquest of the South Pole, The Story Giant, The Sum and Romeo and Juliet.

Gemma Bodinetz said: "It is a dream come true to announce this season of work. A dream that we could tell stories the way we want to, for a city that means the world to us. The world changed a lot this year and it's been tough for many but it has also been invigorating.

"There's a creative crackle in the air with no room for complacency. A time for change, for magic, for meaning and humanity. The time has come to hold hands and share the stories that make us feel alive and part of something. We believe this season of plays reflects that."

To open the season in February, Gemma Bodinetz directs a Fiddler on the Roof inspired by the migration crisis that engulfs much of the world. Gemma will also direct The Sum, a new play by Lizzie Nunnery set in Toxteth about a young mother is struggling to make ends meet. Nick Bagnall directs Manfred Karge's story of unemployment and working class rebellion The Conquest of The South Pole, along with Romeo and Juliet which will see Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) join forces with the Company. Brian Patten's The Story Giant,adapted by Lindsay Rodden and directed by Matt Rutter, marks the 50th anniversary of The Mersey Sound and will celebrate the power of stories for all ages.

All five productions in the season will be performed in the round to give a festival feel to the season, with all five productions playing in rotation in the final month. The three-person design team is comprised of Michael Vale, Jocelyn Meall and Molly Elizabeth Lacey Davies. Michael has recently designed Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) at the Everyman and Liverpool designer Jocelynhas created for a number of Everyman productions including Master Harold and the Boys. Molly is the recipient of this year's LIPA Design Prize, awarded annually to a graduate to work with the theatres.

YEP will be integrated in to the work of the company in many ways. A YEP actor will be a full member of the Acting Company, performing across the season. The young actors will also perform join forces with the Company for Romeo and Juliet which will be designed by Molly Elizabeth Lacey Davies.

Access to theatre for all remains an important aspect of the E&P's work and prices for the season are set at an affordable rate, with tickets from £10, £5 for young people, and the opportunity to see all five productions for just £30. All of the productions will have a Relaxed Performance as well as Captioned and Audio Described performances, and The Story Giant and Romeo and Juliet will have British Sign Language performance.

Casting is underway to create the ensemble of 14 actors who will bring these productions to life. Following a rigorous process that has included open auditions for local actors as well as dozens of sessions in Liverpool and London, the first Rep Company at the Everyman for 25 years will be announced within weeks.

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