Everyman Rep on pause as E&P reveals new 2019 season

The Liverpool Everyman’s Repertory Company is set to take ‘a pause’ with no third consecutive season of productions at the Hope Street theatre.

Instead, associate director Nick Bagnall will helm a new homegrown and politically-charged production of Sonheim’s Sweeney Todd at the venue.

Liam Tobin, who was part of the 2018 Rep Company, will take on the title role in the show which opens on April 12.

In spring 2017 and 2018, the Everyman stage was given over to the Rep Company of 14 players. This most recent season included acclaimed productions of Othello, with Golda Rosheuvel as a woman general, and Robert Farquhar’s exhilarating The Big I Am.

A theatre spokesperson described the Rep Company as “a bold experiment to explore a different model of producing work in regional theatre” but said while there was much to celebrate artistically and for a growing audience, it had “proved challenging putting a strain on our resources.”

They added: “While liberating in many ways, it has limited us in others and we want to explore other options.”

Meanwhile Everyman and Playhouse artistic director Gemma Bodinetz today described the Company as “taking a pause.

“It achieved so much artistically including several awards and its spirit (and indeed many of its regular members) will continue to infuse our work and our ambition to bring adventurous, ensemble-led theatre to Liverpool remains undiminished.”

Among other shows heading for the Everyman in 2019 are Caroline’s Kitchen, starring Caroline Langrishe and Aiden Gillett and visiting Hope Street before transferring to New York, and Middle Child’s Us Against Whatever.

A busy Playhouse programme kicks off on February 12 with The Cat In the Hat, and includes touring productions of The Girl on the Train, starring Samantha Womack, and Jodie Prenger in Abigail’s Party, as well as Marie Jones’ Stones In His Pockets – directed by Lindsay Posner, a return for the hugely popular Around the World In 80 Days, Mark Thoma,s and two sell-out appearances from Sir Ian McKellen.

YEP makes its main stage Playhouse debut with Crowd, running from February 27 to March 2.

And The Brilliant Bard, taking place at the Everyman from March 1-8, is a landmark Shakespeare festival to celebrate one of the greatest ever playwrights.

The festival will feature masterclasses, workshops and a symposium, an experts from the University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University and other industry leaders will discuss why the works of Shakespeare are so enduring and how we can use it to learn more about today.

Some shows are already on sale and others go on general sale on December 3. Check the website HERE