We are excited to share that our YEP Actors have been working in collaboration with Ugly Bucket to create their latest performance for the Everyman stage.

Ugly Bucket strive to tackle taboo topics, in the most outrageous ways.

Working with the YEP Actors since the end of last year, they have been training them in Ugly Bucket’s practice of clashing unconventional theatre methods to create bizzare, hilarious gut-punching shows.

The collaboration will result in a performance of THIS IS NOT A CRIME (this is just a play…) on 13 - 15 April 2023.

We caught up with Grace Gallagher, Co-Artistic Director for Ugly Bucket.

Tell us about how you’re working with YEP.

We spent the first months introducing the YEP actors to our unique mash up style of clowning, physical theatre, music and verbatim. Our initial sessions focused on improvisational play and exploring what themes the group are passionate about. We found the overarching thing that tied together the themes explored in the rehearsal room was crime, and the layers and social situations that lead to crime. The product of all our work will premiere on the Everyman main stage. We feel that the most exciting thing about this project has been the collaboration with the young people, and whilst there is so much Ugly Bucket flare within it, it also feels so different to anything we’ve created before.

What have you most enjoyed about working with YEP?

We have enjoyed the fire and passion that the young people bring to the rehearsal room. We have loved their bravery to try new ideas and they have been so supportive of each other. One of the most rewarding things about working with these young people has been that not only have we seen an exciting new show develop, but how the members themselves have blossomed over our time together.

Do you have any advice for young people wanting to work in the theatre industry?

To create and share work without fear.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Surround yourself with the people who fuel your creativity.
Make the work you want to see in the world.

About Ugly Bucket
Ugly Bucket are a multi award winning Liverpool based company that combine clowning, music and verbatim text to tackle taboos head-on. Their shows are funny, fast, physical, and hit you right in the gut. Their previous Edinburgh Fringe sell out productions include Bost-Uni Plues; 2 Clowns 1 Cup; and in 2022, Good Grief, which was the recipient of the Underbelly and New Diorama Theatre’s Untapped Award and has gone on to complete two national tours. Their latest and most ambitious production, STUFFED, in association with Unity Theatre, partnered with Food Banks across the UK and Liverpool based food poverty organisations to bring these issues to light and unite Liverpool audiences in the UK hunger crisis. This project included a free pre-show meal and post-show panel for all audiences. STUFFED was described as ‘heart-breaking, rallying, acutely thought-provoking and unrelentingly hilarious’ and a show that ‘deserves a bigger stage, larger audiences, and the nation’s attention.’ (Opening Nights). Ugly Bucket were part of the New Diorama Emerging Company Programme and have been described as ‘one of the freshest companies at the fringe‘ (The Stage), and ‘one of the UK’s most exciting young theatre companies’ (New Diorama London).