• In June we announced that we would be reflecting, reviewing and improving our approaches to inclusivity and diversity within our organisation. This week we announced our progress so far, as well as establishing the Diversity Action Group which is made up of staff, trustees and co-opted members from the community. For our updates check HERE and find out more about the Diversity Action Group HERE.

• The Cultural Recovery Fund is the support package announced by government to support the cultural organisations at risk before the end of this financial year. We were due to hear whether we had been successful this week, but a delay in announcements means we will find out on Monday 12 October. This will have a significant impact on whether we can present work over the coming months. We will of course share updates as soon as we have more information. 

• Government supported furlough leave ends at the end of October and we will see more of our team members coming back to work. This means we will be at capacity and able to start looking at the logistics around opening our buildings and welcoming audiences back. To ensure audience, artists and our staff are safe, we will be sharing information regarding Covid security on our website. 

• We are part of Venues North, a consortium of northern organisations offering support to artists in a variety of ways. In late November we will be part of North West region update for freelancers and artists, which will answer questions about reopening, programming work and artist support. We will share information on dates once it has been confirmed, but the format will likely be a Zoom meeting with a downloadable document for those that can’t attend.

• The Regional Young Theatre Director Scheme is offering paid professional development schemes for emerging theatre makers and directors. Currently being recruited are 18 month residencies with Contact and Birmingham Rep. More information HERE

• March for the Arts are holding an update meeting on Friday 9 October at 6pm. It’s free to attend and will be an opportunity for the team to update the arts community on conversations with Culture Liverpool and Liverpool City Council. Check out their social media for updates, or sign up to the update newsletter HERE

• Puppetry company Theatre Rites are looking for an Assistant Director for a new piece with Manchester International Festival to be performed in July 2021. More information HERE. They will also be holding open auditions for performers for an international piece to be performed in Austria at the same time. More information HERE

• Paines Plough have some exciting opps currently available, they are holding open auditions via zoom for actors, apply before midnight on Tuesday 13 October 2020. They’re also offering a 6-month attachment for 2x companies as part of their ReBuild scheme, deadline Wednesday 28 October.

• Box of Tricks and Sky Studios are on the hunt for Northern talent. They have launched the Screen/Play Award to unearth two writers from the North of England with electrifying stories that spark the imagination. Apply with a one-page pitch (up to 500 words), a personal statement (up to 500 words) and an example script (up to 30 pages) through the online Application Form during the three-week submission window from Monday 19 October – Friday 6 November 2020.

• We have released a new episode of our Love, Liverpool – An A – Z of Hope project, with another one coming this week. Our latest letter is about all things Scouse – the city and people we love. It includes a commission from actor Aron Julius about his beloved Toxteth. You can find the whole series HERE

• The inimitable Ruby Wax, an E&P regular, will be performing her new show How to Be Human on Tue 13^th Oct online. Based on her best selling book, How to Be Human answers questions about evolution, relationships, sex, the body, addiction and basically everything. For more info and tickets checkout our WEBSITE.