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'I AM STEVEN GERRARD' Is Set To Receive World Premiere In January 2024 At The Hope Street Theatre After Writer, Sean Mcloughlin, Wins The 'What Happens Next?' 2023 Competition
An exciting new play, 'I AM STEVEN GERRARD', from up-and-coming theatre creatives will be brought to the stage in 2024 after winning the 'What Happens Next?' 2023 competition in January of this year.
Written by Sean Mcloughlin and Directed by Amy Roberts, the winner of 'What Happens Next?' 2023 competition, is a story of football, aspiration, music, Steven Gerrard, loneliness, reality television, love, religion, friends, loss, passion, enemies, Davina McCall, politics, ambition, family, virginity, past generations – and the impact they leave behind; I AM STEVEN GERRARD is a one-man play performed by Joe Cowin that explores the complexities of masculinity, and what it means to be a real man in society today.
Sypnopsis Of 'I AM STEVEN GERRARD'
It’s Liverpool. The Champion’s League Final in Istanbul was 13 years ago. The buzz is still rife. The obsession is still real. Steven Gerrard has left Liverpool Football Club, but his legacy keeps on growing; a legacy that Shane wants to embody and emulate.
Though Shane shares an ambition no different to many of those around him, it soon transpires that he yearns for something far beyond football. And in a city where ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ is the mantra, why does Shane constantly feel like he’s the only one on the sideline? Shane is back home to see his dad for the first time in three years. To heal old wounds. To attempt to find his place in a world that he has never felt a part of. To get answers. What secrets will come to light? And who will they come from? Could these revelations have saved everyone from heartache?
The Creatives Making It Happen
Sean McLoughlin is a Liverpool writer with an interest in incorporating poetry into stories. Originally training to be a Journalist, he was accepted onto YEP Writers at the Everyman Theatre in 2021 to pursue playwriting. His debut play 'I AM STEVEN GERRARD' aims to transform perspectives of masculinity in modern society.
Amy Roberys is a 2017 LIPA graduate, is a director, actor, musician and vocal coach. Noteworthy credits include Mother Goose UK Tour (LADA Productions), A Pretty Sh*tty Love (Theatr Clwyd), One Man Poe (Threedumb Theatre), and As You Like It (Cream Faced Loons). 'I AM STEVEN GERRARD' with Tip Tray Theatre, is her proudest directorial achievement to date and she is thrilled to be sharing this compelling story with the Liverpool City Region and beyond.
Joe Cowin is a 19-year-old actor from Liverpool. He graduated from Rare Studio Liverpool in June 2023. Notable credits include The Yarn (Imaginarium Theatre), As You Like It (Imaginarium Theatre) & Daylight Follows (zomdic flims). Joe is excited to return to the role of Shane after its winning efforts in 'What Happens Next?' 2023.
Tip Tray Theatre’s artistic directors Evan Byrne and Maisy Gordon, said they are: 'delighted with the choice of the judges to crown I AM STEVEN GERRARD as the winner of our first ever new writing competition. Sean’s play captures the beating heart of Liverpool perfectly in a powerful coming-of-age story that is beautifully portrayed in Joe’s performance and Amy’s sharp direction.'
Since 2022 Tip Tray Theatre have been the company in residence at The Hope Street Theatre and are fast creating an exciting and vibrant series of events, which bring together the vast talents the City has to offer.
Tip Tray Theatre is an arts organization based in Liverpool. Co-Artistic Directors Evan Byrne and Maisy Gordon pride themselves on being a disability-led company that aids in the development of young and early-career artists. founded in 2021, Tip Tray Theatre aims to create inclusive theatre that amplifies the voices of marginalised communities whilst continuing to support developing artists on their journeys.
The Hope Street Theatre’s Artistic Director, Sam Donovan, said: 'When we first met Evan and Maisy, we could tell instantly the passion and drive they had to make a difference to the creative culture here in the city, the creation of 'What Happens Next?' brought a real buzz to the city with new and old professionals creatively working together to showcase and champion new writing. It is a real honour to be able to support them and this production of I AM STEVEN GERRARD.'
'What Happens Next?' Will return directly prior to the run of I AM STEVEN GERRARD. Submissions for the competition is now open and seeks writers to submit the first 20 minutes of a play where by the end the audience wants to ask 'What Happens Next?' for more information please visit the Tip Tray Theatre website.
When Is 'I AM STEVEN GERRARD' Showing & Where To Get Tickets?
25th – 28th January 2024 at 7:30pm.
Tickets: £15 (£12 Concessions) | Box Office: Hope Street Theatre.
Dedicated to supporting the best in local and professional theatre, The Hope Street Theatre bring excellent facilities into the very heart of Hope Street. Thier small-space guarantees an intimate atmosphere. With an ever-changing programme that includes; drama, musicals, cabarets, comedy, and more, you can be sure that there will be something unique every week.