Where did January go?! or, sorry I took so long with this newsletter
I hope you’ve had a cracking start to the year, with delicious creative projects on the go or coming up, and hopefully a robust umbrella.
In this newsletter, you’ll find all the usual updates, opportunities and recommendations – but I want to point you towards a few specific things:
- the next few Freelance Mixers are bookable
- our Writers’ Monthly Meet-up (legacy of the national Playwrights’ Flashmob) is happening again next week
- I’m taking suggestions for this year’s Production Process workshops
- Liverpool Scratch Network is coming to the Everyman
And if you’re always like, ‘Who the hell is this person and why is he emailing me?’, I did a little Q&A explaining the role of New Works Associate as part of our new Staff Spotlight series. So now you know what I do all day (roll around in scripts, basically…) – and there’s a great spotlight on Leah and George from our Audience Experience team as well.
(Related: if you’re inspired to show appreciation for a dramaturg you’ve worked with who you think is great, maybe nominate them for the Dramaturgs’ Network’s Established Dramaturg Award before 27 Feb!) *
Finally, in case anyone’s missed it: Arts Council England are pausing their Project Grants while they get a new version of Grantium up and running. So get your apps in before Thurs 26 Feb, or start readying them for the relaunch on Weds 1 April.
Until soon,
Tommo
New Works Associate
* this is not a thinly-veiled attempt to get nominations for myself – I’m not eligible!
And if you’re always like, ‘Who the hell is this person and why is he emailing me?’, I did a little Q&A explaining the role of New Works Associate as part of our new Staff Spotlight series. So now you know what I do all day (roll around in scripts, basically…) – and there’s a great spotlight on Leah and George from our Audience Experience team as well.
(Related: if you’re inspired to show appreciation for a dramaturg you’ve worked with who you think is great, maybe nominate them for the Dramaturgs’ Network’s Established Dramaturg Award before 27 Feb!) *
Finally, in case anyone’s missed it: Arts Council England are pausing their Project Grants while they get a new version of Grantium up and running. So get your apps in before Thurs 26 Feb, or start readying them for the relaunch on Weds 1 April.
Until soon,
Tommo
New Works Associate
* this is not a thinly-veiled attempt to get nominations for myself – I’m not eligible!
Artistic Team update
Back in January, we had a fab workshop for Attachment – and designs for that and The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher are coming together, too, which is always one of my favourite parts of the process.
Next week, the building’s getting busy again with The Memory of Water company arriving – plus work is already beginning in earnest for Beauty and the Beast (literally all we do is think about panto).
Then we’re into Waiting for Godot, with the team coming down from Glasgow and the cast rounded out with some of our YEP actors.
Finally, we’ve added an extra date for the ★★★★★ smash-hit Eat The Rich (but maybe not me mates x) by Jade Franks (Playwrights’ Programme 2025)! That new date is selling fast too, so book ASAP to avoid disappointment.
Freelancers’ Mixers
During every in-house production at the Everyman, we host an informal event for our community of freelancers to meet, chat (with free drinks), and see the show for £10.
The mixers are available to book for all our upcoming shows until the summer break: The Memory of Water, Waiting for Godot, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher and Attachment.
Production Process workshops
Last year we hosted a series of monthly masterclasses run by members of Everyman & Playhouse staff – and we’re going to do that again!
Whilst we’re putting together a few things that might be of interest, we thought we’d also open it out for suggestions from this wonderful community of artists.
So: what would you like to see from us? If there’s a specific member of staff you’d like to hear from, or a topic or skill you’d like to explore, let me know – we’ll do what we can to offer something along those lines.
Previous workshops have included:
- Best practice in fringe producing with Helen Webster (Young People and Community Producer)
- Building a vibrant marketing campaign with members of the Everyman & Playhouse Marketing Team
- Approaching programmers and building tours with Ashlie Nelson (Head of Producing and Programming)
- Fundraising beyond the Arts Council with Ros Gordon (Development Manager) and Ros Thomas (Finance Director)
- Working with young people with Hayley Lindley-Thornhill (Head of Young People & Community)
- Writing with dramatic momentum with Tommo Fowler (New Works Associate)
- Audition technique for stage with Nathan Powell (Creative Director)
Writers’ Monthly Meet-Up
At last year's Playwrights' Flashmob, local writers were asking for a regular space to meet, work and chat with a cuppa - so that's what's happening!
The new writers' monthly meet-up is hosted and organised by local playwrights, for local playwrights.
Each meet-up has a structured section – perhaps writing exercises, some specific questions to discuss, etc. – and then a free section just to have an informal natter.
The aim is for it to become a self-sustaining group, with a different playwright volunteering to host each month – so it's a great opportunity to meet in solidarity, share skills and resources, and build up facilitation experience (if you want to!).
The next meet-ups will be:
- Thursday 26 February, 11.30am-1.30pm (hosted by Ginni Manning and Emma Vaudrey)
- Friday 27 March, 11.30am-1.30pm (host chosen at February meet-up)
The group will be administrated by its participants, with session reminders and admin done by email and/or WhatsApp community group rather than through the Theatremakers' Newsletter.
So, to hear more, please fill out this form to give Ginni and Emma your details – they’ll be in touch soon!
Liverpool Scratch Network
Scratch nights are back at the Everyman!
We’re welcoming Liverpool Scratch Network into our Downstairs space from March to July, showcasing new work from up-and-coming writers, directors and actors each month.
You can reserve your tickets on our website – and, if you’d like to take part, just email liverpoolscratchnetwork@gmail.com.
Hopefully see you there!
Jobs & opportunities
This is just a selection of roles. Make sure you’re signed up to mailing lists like OpenHire, ArtsJobs and London Playwrights, or checking local websites like Uncover Liverpool, to make sure you’re up to date.
Creative Arts Playwriting Award 2026
VAULT
Deadline: 11.59pm on Friday 20 February
A scheme to support early-career writers find meaningful pathways into the performing arts, with £2,500 up for grabs along with a production in London and publication by Methuen.
At this stage, you just have to submit 10pp of a script, along with some basic details – so get your applications in!
Heritage production auditions
Unity Theatre
Deadline: 9 March
The Unity are looking for performers to be part of an exciting new production which celebrates the theatre’s radical past, part of a year-long Heritage Lottery project: A Radical Re-imagining.
They’re inviting applications from professional performers 25+, playing age between 25 & 55, who have strong ensemble, and singing skills. Must be based in Liverpool City Region.
Associate Director, Love’s Labour’s Lost
Shakespeare’s Globe
Deadline: 9 March
If you can make it to London, this could be a really fun job! It’s a great (in my opinion underproduced) play, and director Indiana Lown-Collins is putting a flamenco spin on it.
On my radar
THEATRE
The Last Picture
HOME, Manchester
Weds 18 – Sat 21 Feb
Quick! This show is apparently brilliant (★★★★★ in The Stage), and it’s only in Manchester for a short time.
It’s about an emotional support dog helping a school group navigate a fairly harrowing exhibition about World War Two – from the perspective of the dog, obviously – which I just think is the best premise.
There’s always some really exciting work on during Up Next, and this year’s no different – I want to go to pretty much everything!
(Special shout-out to Compost: The Cabaret for sounding so wonderfully idiosyncratic I literally cannot imagine what it’ll be like.)
FICTION
Big Swiss
Jen Beagin
This is a gleefully surreal novel about a woman who transcribes therapy sessions and starts developing parasocial relationships with the patients she’s listening to – then accidentally meets on of them on a dog walk.
THEATRE
The Last Picture
HOME, Manchester
Weds 18 – Sat 21 Feb
Quick! This show is apparently brilliant (★★★★★ in The Stage), and it’s only in Manchester for a short time.
It’s about an emotional support dog helping a school group navigate a fairly harrowing exhibition about World War Two – from the perspective of the dog, obviously – which I just think is the best premise.
There’s always some really exciting work on during Up Next, and this year’s no different – I want to go to pretty much everything!
(Special shout-out to Compost: The Cabaret for sounding so wonderfully idiosyncratic I literally cannot imagine what it’ll be like.)
FICTION
Big Swiss
Jen Beagin
This is a gleefully surreal novel about a woman who transcribes therapy sessions and starts developing parasocial relationships with the patients she’s listening to – then accidentally meets on of them on a dog walk.
Funny, strange and sexy in a kinda similar way to Miranda July – I absolutely inhaled it. (Also apparently Jodie Comer’s starring in a big HBO adaptation, which I bet will be amazing.)
Ongoing offers at the Everyman
Writers’ Room
For those who haven’t spent time in it, the Writers’ Room is available for your use during open hours. With a library of fantastic scripts, it’s a great place to come and be inspired, do some co-working, or get round a table to read a new play.
For quiet working: just drop in! We encourage artists to work alongside one another – but, if the room is booked for a group, you’re welcome to work in the Theatre Bar.
For group reading or discussion: email me to book in advance.
Note that Fridays are currently booked by regular groups. If you want to check availability on a particular day, feel free to email me or call Box Office.
Street Café discounts
Did you know we have discounts for theatre professionals in the Everyman Street Café? Well, we do!
You can get 10% off food and non-alcoholic drinks if you’re:
- a paid-up union member of BECTU, Equity, Independent Theatres Council, Musicians Union, Stage Directors UK or the Writers Guild,
- having an Arts Emergency mentoring session, or
- participating in New Works activity (e.g. Production Process workshop, Creative Co-working, etc).
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