Award-winning company 20 Stories High has joined forces with Phelim McDermott (Improbable) in a unique collaboration to produce She’s Leaving Home taking place in living rooms in Liverpool 8 this May and June.
Inspired by the legendary Beatles song, the show has been specially commissioned as part of Sgt Pepper at 50: Heading for Home – Liverpool’s celebration of the 50th anniversary of iconic album Sgt Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Tickets cost just £5 and priority tickets are on are on sale from today for those with L8 postcodes, and they will then go on general sale on Monday 15 May.
Researched and developed with young adults in Liverpool, the play explores themes around home, housing and family and will be performed in people’s living rooms in L8.
What does it mean to leave home for young people? What does it mean for their families and guardians? Where do the young people go, out of choice or necessity? What will this play provoke in addressing these questions? Discover the narrative based upon the original song and young people’s lives today…
She’s Leaving Home is expected to be one of the more poignant and unforgettable commissions of the Sgt Pepper celebration programme which run from 25 May to 16 June. It will see each track from the album used as the creative springboard for 13 brand new events taking place across Liverpool.
Producer of the overall Sgt Pepper programme, Culture Liverpool’s Alicia Smith, said: “We are extremely excited to see how 20 Stories High will interpret this incredibly emotional track. This nationally recognised award-winning theatre company who happen to be based in Liverpool, has an outstanding record of producing thought-provoking work which stays with the audience long after the show. And with the added elements of Phelim McDermott’s involvement, the unique venues along with the topical subject matter – this will be an unmissable performance.”
Written by Keith Saha (Co-Artistic Director of 20 Stories High) working with associate artist Phelim McDermott (Improbable) the play is directed by Julia Samuels (Co-Director 20 Stories High). It features 25 year old local actor Brodie Arthur (ex 20 Stories High Youth Theatre) with puppetry by Alison Duddle performed by Zoe Hunter, and live music from cellist Semay Wu.
“I trained in the youth theatre with 20 Stories High so I’m super excited to be acting in this play which is taking place in the area where I and my parents grew up. I think a lot of young people will connect with the character I’m performing on a personal level”. Brodie Arthur, actor, aged 25
“We were chuffed to bits when we were asked to take part in this. I’m a huge fan of the Beatles and Sgt Peppers. Also working with Phelim McDermott and the young people of Liverpool to delve deep into issues around home and housing has been a real eye opener and feels like an urgent thing we definitely need to be exploring in 2017”. Keith Saha, Writer
Creative & Production Team
Writer: Keith Saha; Director: Julia Samuels; Associate Artist: Phelim McDermott;
Puppetry Director: Alison Duddle; Design Consultant: Miriam Nabarro
Dramaturg: Phillip Osment; Production Manager: Richard Owen
Producer: Amy Fisher
Performers Actor: Brodie Arthur; Cellist: Semay Wu; Puppeteer: Zoe Hunter
Performance Venues, Dates and Times
This show will be performed inside real living rooms in the Liverpool 8 area. There are two
types of performance as outlined below.
Public Performances: 31 May to 9 June 2017, 2pm and 7pm; £5 which guarantees you an exclusive place to one of ten tickets per living room performance. 7 June at 7pm is a British Sign Language Performance. Details of living room location will be revealed to bookers only.
Recommended for ages 13+ www.20storieshigh.org.uk #ShesLeavingHome #SgtPepper50
Tickets available from:
Unity Theatre Box Office (on sale from 10 May, priority booking for L8 residents then general sale from 15 May)
0151 709 4988 www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk
Private Performances (private homes, L8) 10 to 18 June 2017, open only to private home hosts, their friends and families (personal invite only from home hosts, no public tickets available).
For further information about ticket sales, 20 Stories High, images or interview possibilities, please contact 20 Stories High administrator, Siofra McKeon-Carter 0151 708 9728 [email protected]
