Liverpool's Everyman has launched an appeal, Everyone Starts Somewhere, to raise £60,000 over the next twelve months "towards talent development, supporting the award-winning Young Everyman Playhouse and bringing new diverse voices to the stages" in the year that the company turns 60 and the current Stirling Prize-winning new theatre reaches 10 years old.
Many of the theatre’s alumni have expressed their support for the appeal, including Stephanie Beacham, Leanne Best, Kevin Harvey, David Morrissey, Willy Russell, Josie Sedgwick-Davies, Darci Shaw, Alison Steadman, Cathy Tyson and Julie Walters.
Alison Steadman said that the Everyman is, "a theatre that means so much to me, giving me such a wonderful experience as a young actor to learn, gain confidence and take my first steps in the profession. That support of young talent continues to this day and I hope long into its next 60 years."
According to Cathy Tyson, “I am indebted to the Everyman for giving me a start in my creative life... without them, I don't think I'd be where I am today.”
Steadman will feature in the first of a series of events from people for whom the Everyman was an important part of their creative lives, with An Evening with Alison Steadman taking place on Tuesday 21 May. Further events will be announced, including with David Morrissey, Cathy Tyson and more recent graduates of Young Everyman Playhouse, with Liverpool John Moores University Archive presenting exhibitions and activities over the months ahead.