Thursday 26 January 2023

The Everyman’s celebrated rock n roll panto Red Riding Hood recently finished to a standing ovation, rapturous applause and shouts of “we want more”, following the previous weekend’s similar triumph with SIX at the Playhouse. Together the theatres welcomed over 51,000 through their doors, a record for the Christmas season, selling 96% of the seats at 100 performances.

The two productions attracted a diverse audience of all ages, particularly Red Riding Hood which was enjoyed by over 8,000 children and young people attending as families, with schools and with youth groups. The Everyman rock n roll panto has become a Liverpool icon in its 40-year history, with generations of audiences returning regularly while also attracting new audiences, as one of many happy customers commented on social media:
 
“We came tonight for our very first rock n roll panto and it was incredible. So funny, fantastic songs, unbelievably good cast, such a wonderful evening for us. Thank you so much, we will defo be back.”
 
Meanwhile having the global sensation of SIX in Liverpool for an extended stay has been of real benefit, not just to the theatres but to the local economy. Over 42% travelled from outside Liverpool City Region and many stayed overnight.
 
Mark Da Vanzo, CEO for the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse said:
 
“After a challenging few Christmas seasons due to Covid, we’ve been thrilled at the extraordinary success of this year’s festive season. We want to extend a huge thank you to those who joined us this Christmas, who shared their love for the shows on social media and to those who generously donated to our YEP 2022 Challenge. I’m pleased to say we reached our target of raising £30,000 to continue the brilliant work of our Young Everyman Playhouse [YEP] programme. I’d also like to pay tribute to the exceptional efforts of all the team here who ensured the smooth-running of our shows on and off stage, welcoming so many to our theatres and to our city.”
 
The theatres’ Creative Director, Suba Das who directed Red Riding Hood added:
 
“What a way to say hello to Liverpool! It’s one of the proudest experiences of my career to have seen tens of thousands of audience members of all ages and backgrounds laughing and singing along with our brilliant, diverse, actor-musician cast this year. I couldn’t have asked for a warmer welcome and I hope I’ve taken good care of the iconic Everyman rock’n’roll panto for you. With audiences already asking about next year, I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be directing Cinderella which will be written by Liverpool’s own Luke Barnes with Sonia Jalaly, one of the most exciting writers from the North West making both theatre and tv for family audiences. It’s going to be as silly and special as the show you loved this year, and I hope you’ll be excited to see some returning faces onstage too. We can’t wait to get started - is it Christmas yet?”