Cosmic Show Programme

Liverpool’s Royal Court presents

COSMIC

Written by Joe McNally • Directed by Deborah Yhip • Set & Costume Design by Christopher McCourt

Talent Development

Liverpool’s Royal Court continues on its journey to work towards talent development across the city

There is no doubt Liverpool is renowned for its wealth of talent but we, along with the rest of our city’s theatre organisations and institutions, recognise we need to do more to ensure we are accessible, engaging and aspirational if we are to be truly representative and inclusive of the communities we serve. It is a long-term continuing process and funding is key as is working together with the theatres across the region.

Over the past three years we have laid down the foundations, initiating our plans for meaningful and real change. This includes the theatre’s programming, engagement, accessibility and relationships with artistes, communities, creatives, individuals, institutions, organisations, Schools/FE. We are working towards ensuring our talent development programmes are applicable, realistic and robust.

Listening and engaging in the first instance to a wide cross section of creatives and communities – recognising and taking ownership of our failure to be fully inclusive and to take a proactive approach to ensure there is inclusivity and diversity across the sector

A brief look at a few of our talent development projects so far:

Community

Music AAA (Access All Areas) is a partnership project together with three grassroots organisations: Positive Impact, Capoeira For All, and Catalyst performing arts supported by funding from Youth Music. Children and young people aged 6 – 25 can access free musical instruments, musical theatre, hip hop, dance, singing, drama and performance

Raw Talent

Young people from our youth theatre continue to have access to auditions and employment opportunities – during the past 3 years, 6 young people have been cast in Terriers, written by Maurice Bessman touring to schools and venues across the country.

More recently working with Fury films, 120 young people aged 15 – 25 from across the city took part in audition workshops for the film of Terriers at Fire Fit in South Liverpool, MYA’s Space in Bootle and The Vibe in Huyton. 8 young people will be working with the Director to support the script development.

Mentoring

This is a pilot programme supported by PH Holt Trust and Curious Minds – eight mentors from the creative industries have been paired with mentees – providing support, guidance and shadowing opportunities in acting, marketing, production, directing, writing, set design, and music skills. This talent development initiative will support eight young black, asian and minority artistes and creatives develop their skills as they progress through the industry.

Programming

Our Boisterous Theatre strand of programming brought us a main house production of Bouncers, in August and September introducing four new actors to the main house stage – and new audiences to the theatre.

The Alternative Black Cabaret Showcase – now a regular bi-monthly show presenting some of the best black comedians and singers on the circuit and with a platform to showcase emerging and existing local talent. Co-production with Red Ladder in September/October, with a cast of professional actors and 20 members of our community choir.

Stagewrite – our new writing classes/workshops to encourage and support new writers to develop their work to full production.

We continue on our journey with a number of other talent development initiatives in progress as a matter of priority to ensure we remain accessible, adaptable and continually listen and learn. It will take time and investment and with your continuing support for all we do. We will make a difference.

Boisterous Stage Write

Music Access All Areas

Maurice Bessman

A fresh, new, innovative and relevant youth theatre company based at the iconic Royal Court Theatre designed by young people for young people.

The Royal Court Youth Theatre delivers a range of opportunities free of charge for young people aged 11 – 25 from every part of the City.

If you are interested in a career in the arts or just looking for something to do, come along to one of our sessions or workshops. You will learn about everything from acting to stage management; fundraising to writing scripts.

Do you know a young person who has a passion for theatre, acting, singing, dancing or writing? Tell them to complete an expression of interest form by visiting liverpoolsroyalcourt.com/youth-theatre

Alternatively you can call 0151 702 5892 or email education@royalcourttrust.org

Everybody is welcome at the Royal Court Youth Theatre, there are no auditions or waiting lists to join.

The Eleanor Rathbone Foundation

Cast & Company

Liverpool’s Royal Court presents

COSMIC

Cast

Claire Hackett

Connor Henry

Andy McLeod

Mark Rice-Oxley

Kalli Tant

Lesley Oisin Vinnie Ernie Kirsty

Company

Joe McNally

Deborah Yhip

Christopher McCourt

Jamie Jenkin

Marie Jones

Rae Woods

Lizzie O’Sullivan

Alicia Southerton

Helena Harvey

Jamie Haining

Writer Director Designer

Sound & Video Designer

Wardrobe Supervisor

Technical Stage Manager

Props Assistant

Rehearsal Assistant

LX Programmer

Chief LX

Set by Liverpool’s Royal Court

Sean Gannon

John Kavanagh

Jen Baron

Mick Gunnigle

Jonathan Defty

Mike Gray

Dave Davies

Head of Technical

Workshop Manager

Scenic Art Manager

Carpenter

Carpenter

Carpenter

Carpenter

Thanks to Howard Gray

Cast Biographies

Claire Hackett

So happy to be working at the Royal Court theatre at such an exciting time. I’m originally from the Wirral and when I was 18, was lucky enough to receive a scholarship to train at R.A.D.A. Since then I have spent all my working life as an actor in theatre, tv and film. I was Linda in Willy Russell’s film Dancing thru the Dark, that people of a certain age may remember and Mam in Liam by Jimmy McGovern, both films set and shot in Liverpool. On telly I’ve been in Corrie occasionally and Line of Duty amongst other things but have spent the last few years back in theatre which is where I started. I have wanted to work in Liverpool again for a long time so thanks to the Royal Court my wish has come true and to be part of this production of a new play written by home grown talent Joe McNally, is the icing on the cake!

Connor Henry

Born and brought up in a rural village of County Tyrone, North of Ireland. I spent my days of youth playing Gaelic football. Leaving school, I started working in McDonald’s. I then got the sack for not showing up. What? I was hungover. I then went to work on an engineering site or 2, it didn’t take me long to realise I was in the wrong place. I started a Performimg Arts diploma locally in 2017-2019 where I found my love for acting. From there, i got accepted in to The Arden School of Theatre, Manchester (2019-2022) to do Musical Theatre. After finding out the hard way that ballet wasn’t for me, I then jumped ship to the Acting course half way through my first year. Hands down the best decision I ever made. So yeah, this is my first thing, hopefully not my last. I’m really excited for it and I am so privledged to be able to work with such a great company, writer, director and production team and be able to bring it to life in front of the lovely people of Liverpool. What a city man. I would like to dedicate my performance to my family and friends that always believed in me. Thank you Mammy.

Mark Rice-Oxley

Mark was previously at the Royal Court playing all the male characters in Liver Birds Flying Home. You may also have seen him locally in Sweeney Todd, Bright Phoenix, Frantic Assembly’s Pool (no water) or The Kindness of Strangers at the Everyman; or Miracle on 34th St or The Entertainer at the Playhouse. You probably didn’t see him in shows he did in Barbados or New York.

Mark played Mickey in the last six months of the 23 years Blood Brothers was in the West End so perhaps it was his fault it closed.

However, this is the 16th time he has been in the original cast of a new play.

If you like Audiobooks, Mark has narrated more than 40 titles currently available on Audible. The best one is called Devils and Saints

Andy Mcleod

I’m a Liverpool lad who trained at University of Hull and East 15. This is my first time working at Liverpool’s Royal Court and I’m really excited to share Cosmic with you all. It’s great to be home!

Recent stage credits include:

Children of the Night (CAST Doncaster), There Should Be Unicorns (Middle Child Theatre), Macbeth (Kenneth More Theatre), the UK and International tour of User Not Found (Dante Or Die), Secret Life of Humans (New Diorama Theatre), Down & Out in Paris and London (New Diorama Theatre), Kings (Smoke & Oakum), Vassa Zheleznova (The Faction/Southwark Playhouse) and Border Men (King’s Head Theatre).

Recent screen credits include:

The Outlaws (Big Talk Productions), EastEnders (BBC),The Beast Must Die (New Regency Productions), Sham Love Series (Zikora Studios), Past Tense (SAE Institute), The Nest (Beyond Fiction) and The Introduction (The Curious Room).

Kalli Tant

I am a Liverpool lass born and bred, so I am over the moon to be making my Liverpool Royal Court debut. To perform alongside an excellent cast, in this brilliant play Cosmic has been amazing.

Last year I played Beth in ‘Our Town Needs A Nando’s’ at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre, so am very excited to be back on home soil. Screen credits include: Silverpoint (CBBC), The Responder (BBC) .

Company Biographies

Joe

McNally Writer

Cosmic is Joe McNally’s first full length play. He has taken part in the Everyman YEP Playwright Programme, and most recently this theatre’s Stage Write Playwright Development Programme. Joe is both a playwright and screenwriter, and is currently in development on a number of projects.

Deborah Yhip Director

I am very pleased to be directing Joe McNally ‘s Cosmic for the Royal Court - let’s hope the first of many!

Many moons ago started out in youth theatre and I began my theatre career as an actor at the Liverpool Playhouse. Acted for a few other theatre companies before gaining a Hope Street Project Trainne Directors Bursary. Subsequently directed first show, Ain’t I A Woman which toured Merseyside community centres, schools and the Everyman; Soul Sisters Melody at the Everyman.

Other directing credits include: Downfall, Mules for Manchester

Contact, Belle at The Gate, O-U-T Spells Out Blackpool Grand; RNT Studio: Paper Jackets, The Changeling, A Streetcar Named Desire; Phillis for Nottingham Playhouse; House Of Blue Leaves for Central School, The World And Life Of George Orwell for Arts Ed School, Twelfth Night Aberdeen College.

Associate and Assistant director on various shows for Black Mime, BTC, Adizo Dance company, Dukes Theatre Lancaster, Traverse, London Royal Court, RNT and Theatre de Complicte.

Christopher McCourt Designer

Christopher is an innovative and creative designer based in the Northwest with a passion for new work and new ways of. He graduated from the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in 2020 with a first class Honours.

Christopher has previously worked with a number of companies such as The Lowry for the National Theatre Connections Festival and spent some time out in Greece as part of the Athens and Epidaurus festival. He has also worked on a number of the Royal Courts main house shows as a scenic artist. He developed the set for a touring show with Levantes Dance Theatre which is to travel around the UK and Europe later this year. His last production was Two Of Us in the main house at Liverpool’s Royal Court.

Jamie Jenkin

Sound & Video Designer

Jamie is the in-house graphic and video designer at Liverpool’s Royal Court. Starting as marketing assistant at the theatre in 2005, he has designed artwork for over 100 shows.

Video Designs for Theatre include:

Willy Russell’s Our Day Out - The Musical, A Fistul Of Collars, Lennon, Ladies Day, Hitchhikers Guide to Fazakerley, Ladies Night, Canoeing for Beginners, The Scouse Nativity, Father O’Flaherty Saves Our Souls, A Miracle On Great Homer Street, Home, Going Halves, The Royal, The Scouse Cinderella, My Fairfield Lady, Royal Court Selection Box, Macca & Beth, The Scouse Sleeping Beauty, The Menlove Avenue Murder Mystery, The Scousetrap, The Scouse Jack & The Beanstalk , Bingo Star and Girls Don’t Play Guitars (Liverpool’s Royal Court); Masquerade, Knee Deep In Promises, Hey Bunny Get Loose and Stocking Fillers (Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio); Cured (Liverpool’s Royal Court in association with DaDaFest & Unlimited); The Dream Team and VR Family (Liverpool’s Royal Court Youth Theatre); Macbeth and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Liverpool Shakespeare Festival); Scouse: A Comedy Of Terrors (Dome Liverpool); Judy & Liza (National Tour); YNWA (Alterean Productions, international tour); The Big I Am (Liverpool Everyman); Celtic The Musical (Alterean Productions, Pavilion Theatre Glasgow and SEC Glasgow); Something About George (Something About Productions, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall and national tour); The Salford Docker (Salford Community Theatre, Lighthouse Salford); Our Country’s Good (Hope St Theatre); and Peter Pan (Storyhouse Chester). Jamie was also Sound Designer on Hey Bunny Get Loose, Offered Up and Stocking Fillers (Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio) and Our Country’s Good (Hope St Theatre).

Marie Jones

Wardrobe Supervisor

Marie studied fashion and then moved on to theatre costume interpretation at Mabel Fletcher College. Marie’s work as a freelance costumier has included costumes for Oldham Coliseum, The Royal Exchange, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Jimmy McGovern’s film Liam, Beyond Friendship for Mersey Television and the many pantomime dames who have appeared on the Everyman stage.

She has worked extensively at the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse and has recently been employed as full time Wardrobe Supervisor. Most recently Marie’s work at the Everyman and Playhouse has included: Much Ado About Nothing, The Electric Hills, The Flint Street Nativity, The Tempest, Unprotected, Billy Liar, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolfe, Urban Legend, Fly, Breezeblock Park, The Entertainer, Still Life And The Astonished Heart, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, The Anniversary, Dr Faustus, The May Queen, Cruel Sea and All My Sons

Marie’s other credits include: Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, Lost Soul, Good Golly Miss Molly, Stags and Hens - The Remix, On The Ledge, Misery, Eight Miles High, Council Depot Blues, Night Collar, Dirty Dusting, Shirley Valentine, Our Day Out - The Musical, The Salon, Funny Money, Merry Ding Dong, A Fistul Of Collars, Lucky Numbers, Lennon, Scouse Pacific, You’ll Never Walk Alone, Little Scouse on the Prairie, Reds And Blues - The Musical, Ladies Day, Bouncers, Scouse Of The Antarctic, Pharaoh ‘Cross The Mersey and Down The Dock Road for Royal Court Liverpool, Brouhaha International Street Festival, Working Class Hero on the recent Imagine DVD, Costume Supervisor for many shows at LIPA, The Splash Project at MYPT and Twopence To Cross The Mersey at the Liverpool Empire.

Royal Court Staff

Executive Producer Kevin Fearon

Chief Executive Gillian Miller

Finance Director Kevin Dunn

Producer Jess Bolger

Head of Marketing Iain Christie

Executive Chef David Assall

Finance Officer Alison Ward

Head of Audience Experience Thomas Wright

Graphic Designer & Brand Manager Jamie Jenkin

Assistant Producer Clare Carlucci

Marketing Manager Kofi Ohene-Djan

Social Media Officer Clara Mbirimi

Head of Technical & Production Sean Gannon

Resident Stage Manager Andrew Lock

Chief LX Jamie Haining

Box Office & Sales Manager Lauren Macauley

Assistant Box Office Manager Laura Lees

Head of Theatre Engagement Miriam Mussa

HR & Wellness Officer Maria Schumann

Participation Project(s) Manager Uma Ramanathan

Costume Supervisor Marie Jones

Workshop Manager Mick Bawden

Finance Administrator Izzie Litwin

Admin Assistant Phil McLoughlin

Youth Theatre Leader Zain Salim

Community Choir Master Jay McWinen

Box Office Assistants Finn Goulden-Jennings, Carl Lees, Amelia Maguire, Anna Miller, Joe Morris, Pat O’Neill, Susan Segar, Angela Varley and Karen Young

Stage Door Allan Dodd & John Evans.

Royal Court Supporters

Kitchen Head Chef David Assall

Sous Chef Kyle Wardale

Chefs Jay Quinn and Daniel Ambrose

Kitchen Porters Debbie Chisam, Billie Chisam, Nick Watson, Daniel Dunn, Louise Dodd and Declan Redmond

Front of House

House Manager Kathryn Heffron

Assistant Manager Kathy Hutson

Supervisors Megan Franey amd Calum Norbury

Bar Supervisor Joe Woods

Courtyard Manager Emma Keig

Assistant Courtyard Manager Paul Imrie

Courtyard Bar Supervisor Michael Martin

Front of House Staff Beth Baccino, Hazel Bawden, Jacob Bee, Kaya Bell, Cameron Brown, Colette Burgess, Joe Carney, Louis Carney-Smith, Courtney Cook, Aisling Davis, Carl Dillon, Audrey Flynn, Charlotte Freyne, Beth Fry, Michael Hall, Michael Hardy, Jennifer Heffron, Josh Johnson, Laura Jones, Jake Jones, Charlotte

Kendrick, Lizzie Kendrick, Jamie Kenyon, Emma Laverty, Phil Lyne, Sam Massen, Tegan Meek, Phil McLoughlin, Amy McCutcheon, Faye McCutcheon, Mia Molloy, Alison Myers, Ciara Naughton, Joe O’Neil, Brea O’Donnell, Kayleigh Oulton, Jamie Peacock, Jake Pendleton, Millie Quayle, Declan Redmond, Katie Sherman, Georgia Slater, Charis Stead, Aiva Tamborini, Hebron Tedros, Annie Wardale, Alex Williams, Hannah Wright, Amy Wright, amd Gina Zotova

Courtyard Staff

Jordan Barkley, Stephen Dixon, Zoe Darracott, Faith Dawson, Chloe Thorpe, Aimee Kelly, Keira Tann and Jasmin Ward

Cleaners Cleaning Supervisor: Debbie Chisam, Billie Chisam, Carla Cole, Joanne Kinsella, Kevin Tristram and Nick Watson

And a big thank you to all of our security staff for their hard work throughout the year.