Six aspiring young directors will have the privilege of re-opening the Everyman theatre on the main stage over the space of two weeks, as part of the free to attend Young Everyman Playhouse Directors’ Festival 2021.
Lorna McCoid, Mary Savage, Olive Pascha, Melissa Ratcliffe, Laurie Fahy and Jess Meade will direct six separate performances from 31 May to 12 June in front of audiences – the first time since 2019 that the festival has been staged.
Opening the festival from 31 May to 1 June, Lorna McCoid will direct two of her own short plays. Icing Sugar is a dark comedy set around a repressed 1950s housewife, her husband and a very special cake. Her second piece, White Lilies, features a monologue from a prima ballerina with a promising future. But at the grave of her deceased friend, some dirty little secrets are revealed.
From 2 to 3 June, Mary Savage directs Eggs – a story about friendship, fertility and freaking out. The production explores the ups and downs of relationships, following women figuring out who they are within society’s expectations.
Bull, directed by Olive Pascha from 4 to 5 June, is about the fine line between office politics and playground bullying. The story follows three professionals in sales, waiting to find out who has lost their job, using dark humour to explore the ability of humans to bully in order to get what they want.
Starting the second week of shows on 7 and 8 June, Box Clever is directed by Melissa Ratcliffe. The production follows the life of a young, single Liverpool mum, Marnie and her struggle to survive from the confines of a women’s refuge, fighting for the best possible life for her and her daughter whilst trying escape her troubled past.
All Over Lovely is directed by Laurie Fahy from 9 to 10 June. A deep dive into two estranged lovers, the couple meet at a funeral, as the audience discover the toxicity between the pair.
Closing YEP Directors’ Festival 2021 from 11 to 12 June is Build a Rocket. Directed by Jess Meade, the show follows Yasmin, a young woman who, despite her circumstances, realises her potential and begins to use it. Build a Rocket is a story of triumph over adversity, daring to dream and pushing doors down.
Matt Rutter, YEP director, said: “Hosting our first YEP Directors’ Festival since 2019 on the Everyman’s main stage is a huge moment for Young Everyman Playhouse and our theatres. We cannot wait to get back in to the Everyman to showcase the talent of Liverpool’s young theatre makers.”
Free tickets for YEP Directors’ Festival are available now at: www.everymanplayhouse.com/yep-directors-festival-2021.
