EVER FORWARD: Everyone Starts Somewhere is a partnership exhibition between LJMU Special Collections & Archives and Liverpool Everyman Theatre to celebrate their sixtieth birthday, and showcase the theatre’s rich archival history and connections throughout Liverpool.
19 Aug – 13 Dec Lower Ground & Ground Floors Aldham Robarts Library 29 Maryland Street L1 9DE
Curated by Dr Ros Merkin In Partnership with Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse Theatres Material, Exhibition Space, and Support Provided by LJMU Special Collections & Archives Graphic Design by Lauren Stonley, LJMU Graphic Design & Illustration Graduate
The digital exhibition is now also available permanently on our Digital Exhibitions platform.
About EVER FORWARD
Through two floors and seven exhibition cases worth of archive material, EVER FORWARD explores sixty years of the Liverpool Everyman Theatre’s historical development and ongoing commitment to nurturing new talent, produce plays of contemporary relevance, and maintain strong links to Liverpool.
The exhibition covers seven key themes within Everyman’s history: The Building; New Writing: Speaking to the City; Black Voices and Stories; New Talent: YEP, Youth Theatre, and LJMU Connections; New Classics; The Beatles, Football, and Popular Culture; and Women of the Everyman.
Archive materials on display include items related to renowned playwrights such as Willy Russell and Alan Bleasdale, and actors such as Alison Steadman, Pete Postlethwaite, and LJMU Honorary Fellow David Morrissey.
This exhibition continues our year of Everyman Theatre celebrations, including our previous pop-up exhibit on Everyman Theatre Director Alan Dossor, and an Explore Our Archives open day at the Everyman Theatre bar. Click here to browse more blog posts about the Everyman Theatre.
Connections between LJMU graduates and Liverpool Everyman Theatre and Playhouse have always been strong with many students working as producers, stage managers and technicians. This year, LJMU students have also been involved in the Everyman Theatre partnership and 60th celebrations. Graphic Design and Illustration graduate Lauren Stonley designed the promotional materials for the exhibition held at LJMU, while LJMU drama graduates Joe Ward Munrow, Gitika Buttoo, Jason Kelly and Cameron Mckendrick are writing, directing and starring in the theatre’s 60th birthday year programme.
Mark Da Vanzo, CEO of the Everyman & Playhouse Theatres, said:
We’re delighted to work with Liverpool John Moores University on this exciting exhibition celebrating the Everyman’s 60th anniversary. ‘Ever Forward: Everyone Starts Somewhere’ not only showcases our rich history and connection to Liverpool but also highlights the importance of the relationship between our theatre and LJMU in talent development.
Susannah Waters, LJMU Library Head of Academic Services, said:
The Everyman’s archive is a wonderful resource, documenting the theatre’s activities throughout its history and including visually rich material such as posters, programmes and photographs. It’s been wonderful working with the theatre during this 60th birthday year to showcase the archive and highlight the important, innovative and influential role of the Everyman in Liverpool and beyond.
LJMU Special Collections & Archives 