The Liverpool Everyman theatre has announced exciting new plans to have its own resident company of actors.
Company directors at the Liverpool institution yesterday unveiled plans that will see the Everyman return to its very roots.
A whole host of famous actors, clinic including Pete Postlethwaite, Julie Walters, Bill Nighy and Jonathan Pryce, cut their teeth as resident actors at the famous Hope Street theatre.
Deborah Aydon, executive director at the Everyman, said: “The history of the Everyman was as a resident company. In the 70s, one of the reasons they became the actors they did was the intensive work and learning from each other.
“It means we can be more bespoke for Liverpool audiences. But bespoke for Liverpool doesn’t mean parochial. There’s a big difference.
“The company will be integrated with the localities and with YEP. They’ll be around the building bringing places alive.
“It’s not a nostalgic move. It’s in a 21st century context. It’s back to the future.”
Artistic director Gemma also signalled her intention to host open casting sessions in the city in an attempt to give local talent the chance to flourish.
Bodinetz said: “We’re going to do some open casting in the city because we really want to know who is out there.
You always think you know, but it changes every year, people are graduating from drama schools and coming back to the city.
“We’re also going to want company people. Not every actor is a company person, nor does every actor want to be.
“And we want really multi-talented people.
“We will be doing some more conventional meetings, and we’ll maybe even making phonecalls saying ‘would you like to be in the company? Because we know you’re wonderful and you’ve worked with us before’.
“There will definitely be a proportion from the city, and there will definitely be a proportion that aren’t.
“It will be a mix of talents and personalities.”