Everyone Starts Somewhere - Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres

Everyone Starts Somewhere – 60th Anniversary Campaign (2024–2025)

For decades the Liverpool Everyman has lit a creative spark in so many, with a long legacy of talent development, creating work that is inclusive, exciting, brilliant and brave.

For our 60th anniversary year, we ran Everyone Starts Somewhere with the support of many of the theatre’s alumni including Stephanie Beacham, Leanne Best, Kevin Harvey, David Morrissey, Willy Russell, Josie Sedgwick‑Davies, Darci Shaw, Alison Steadman, Cathy Tyson and Julie Walters.

“Happy Birthday Everyman! Forever in my heart.” – Julie Walters

The hope behind Everyone Starts Somewhere was to highlight the importance of regional theatres such as the Everyman in the wider creative ecosystem, not just for theatre, but for the film and TV industry around the world. The aim was to raise £60,000 towards talent development, supporting the award‑winning Young Everyman Playhouse and bringing new diverse voices to our stages. We were absolutely thrilled that the money raised surpassed our aim and we raised over £70,000.

The campaign ran for six months either side of our birthday month (September), from April 2024 to the end of March 2025.

From the original founding of the Everyman in 1964 by Terry Hands, Peter James and Martin Jenkins, to the legacy of director Alan Dossor with actors including Bernard Hill, Matthew Kelly, Bill Nighy, Roger Phillips, Pete Postlethwaite, Jonathan Pryce, Anthony Sher, Alison Steadman and Julie Walters; and writers such as Alan Bleasdale, Chris Bond, John McGrath and Willy Russell. More recent acting alumni have included Leanne Best, Stephen Graham, Ian Hart, Kevin Harvey, Gillian Kearney, David Morrissey, Con O’Neill, Eddie Redmayne and Cathy Tyson; and writers such as Maurice Bessman, Helen Blakeman, Jonathan Harvey and Michael Wynne. Graduates of Young Everyman Playhouse have included Darci Shaw (Judy, The Irregulars), Josie Sedgwick‑Davies (Chicken Run) and Jamie Carragher (story editor, Succession). The roll call of talent over the past 60 years is second to none.

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who supported the campaign, shared our story and celebrated this milestone with us. Your generosity helped us continue the Everyman’s long tradition of nurturing new talent and championing bold, brilliant voices.

Our work doesn’t stop here. The Everyman has always been a place that grows with the people who believe in it, and if the spirit of this campaign resonates with you, we’d love you to be part of what comes next. If you feel able to contribute to our ongoing talent development work, you can do so here.

Hear from our alumni

The Everyman has always been a beacon of artistic innovation, offering a stage for playwrights, actors, and directors to experiment and create. That spirit of experimentation and creativity has been a driving force ever since, shaping the identity of Liverpool's theatre scene, inspiring generations of artists and reaching far beyond the city. This year feels like a unique opportunity to celebrate our past, while looking to the future. We’re grateful for anyone who feels they can support, either by making a donation, buying a ticket, or sharing on their social media what the Everyman means to them.

Mark Da Vanzo, CEO

On Tue 21 May 2024, we welcomed Alison Steadman home to the Everyman for a very special evening hosted by Roger Phillips.

Alison Steadman. Photography by Brian Roberts.

I was thrilled to return to the Everyman to support their 60th Birthday campaign - Everyone Starts Somewhere. It's a theatre that means so much to me, giving me such a wonderful experience as a young actor to learn, gain confidence and take my first steps in the profession. That support of young talent continues to this day and I hope long into its next 60 years.

Alison Steadman

On Thu 24 Oct 2024, we welcomed David Morrissey back to the Everyman for a special evening with Radio Merseyside presenter and fellow Liverpudlian Helen Jones.