26 April 2021

Two Liverpool artists will act as advisors for Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatres to help shape future programming and artistic planning.

Nathan Powell and Stephen Fletcher are two experienced Liverpool-based theatre makers who will join the theatres’ artistic team over the next six months, before applications for a new Creative Director re-open in autumn 2021.

Nathan Powell is a Liverpool-based director and writer. His work explores the big ideas within the personal and is an advocate for creating work with young people and community groups. Nathan is currently developing shows for Derby Theatre, Action Transport Theatre and will direct the theatres’ production of Love, Liverpool this summer.

Nathan said: “It’s so exciting to be collaborating with the Everyman & Playhouse team, and to be able to bring my perspective to the creation of the upcoming programme. The opportunity to help develop and curate experiences both within the buildings and across Merseyside, for all of the beautiful communities and cultures that make up this special city, is one I’m buzzing to be a part of. I can’t wait to get started.”

Stephen Fletcher is a Liverpool-based freelancer in the performing arts. A LIPA Acting graduate (2002), Stephen has performed in roles on every Liverpool stage, as well as in number of national productions. He is producer and director for his own company Life in Theatre Productions. Stephen is passionate about creating engaging and accessible work for locally-based artists and audiences.

Stephen said: “My entire focus through my career has been about giving audiences more than they may have expected from a night in a theatre and doing it in accessible, unstuffy, approachable but inspiring ways.

“My work aims to do three things - showcase the talent we have in the region, make our audiences feel that their lives and experiences are represented and reflected on all our city’s stages, and show that to the wider public. Only then can we truly say that our work is made for the city and tells the story of all our people.”

Mark Da Vanzo, chief executive at Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust, said: “While our search for a new Creative Director continues, we are delighted to be joined by Nathan and Stephen who will bring their valued expertise to our in-house artistic team”.

Nathan and Stephen begin their new roles this week. They join the theatres current artistic team containing: Victoria Rope, senior producer; Francesca Peschier, New Works associate; Ashlie Nelson programmer; Nancy Msiska, Stage One trainee producer and Lydia Gordon, literary assistant.