12 November 2024

We’re thrilled to announce new productions for 2025, the first season by our new Creative Director Nathan Powell, confirming our position at the forefront of new writing, reaffirming our commitment to creative collaboration, diversity and inclusion, and artist development.

The first production Takeaway is written by Nathan and will be directed by Amanda Huxtable. A story set in a Liverpool restaurant packed with big laughs, family tensions and pumping tunes, it will play at the Everyman from 26 April to 17 May 2025. Nathan said:
“It’s a story about Liverpool as a whole, how it was built, where it is now, and about the communities that make up the city. I think it feels very ‘Everyman’ in that it asks big questions but there are also lots of laughs, silliness and humour. I’m hoping that stories like Takeaway that are rooted in this place, can also tell a national tale.”

At a time when many theatres are limiting their creative risks, Nathan is keen to give theatre makers the opportunity to test boundaries and push theatrical form. Inspired by real animal encounters from around the world The Walrus Has A Right To Adventure is by Wirral playwright Billie Collins and is at the Everyman from 12 to 21 June 2025. It sweeps three stories from different corners of the globe into a powerful new play about instinct, expectation, identity, and what it means to be truly free.

Giving theatre makers a space to explore classic texts is essential for shedding fresh light on familiar stories, uncovering new insights for existing audiences and inviting new, younger audiences to engage. A new abridged version of the classic love story Romeo and Juliet opens at the Everyman from 13 September to 4 October 2025. Directed by Ellie Hurt, a graduate of Young Everyman Playhouse [YEP] Directors Programme, it promises to be a powerful, potent production stripped back to its brilliant basics.

For the three new homegrown productions announced, we’re committed to keeping ticket prices low; with tickets priced from £11 and 64% available at £21 and under. The hope is to ensure theatre remains accessible and affordable, allowing more people to enjoy live performances, and reduce the risk for audiences seeing new plays.

On announcing plans for 2025, Nathan said:
“I am so excited for my first season to be underway.  Liverpool has been home to me for many years and the city, and its broad artistic community are close to my heart. As a team we at the Everyman and Playhouse will continue our dedication to producing local stories with a national reach and in doing so, championing emerging creative talent, introducing audiences to new forms of storytelling, and breathing a fresh perspective into classic stories.”

Alongside continuing to develop creative projects with Associate Companies, which in 2025 will include a Studio Commission with Talawa as part of their Black Joy Season, the theatres will collaborate with some of the UK’s best touring companies. These include at the Liverpool Playhouse, co-producing with Actors Touring Company on Tambo & Bones (26 to 29 March), Wise Children on North by Northwest (20 to 24 May) and with Royal & Derngate on Breaking the Code (21 to 25 October); as well as welcoming back Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures with The Midnight Bell (16 to 21 September).