This week’s Culture Radar guest is the Director of The Hope Street Theatre, Merseyside Academy of Drama (MAD), Performers Theatre School, and Olivier award-winning theatre company, Papatango, Nick Rogers.
Loved: I thoroughly enjoyed An Evening with Talking Heads (which was made up entirely of a cast of current and ex-MAD students) and the What Happens Next competition by Tip Tray Theatre, both hosted at The Hope Street Theatre. Stocking Fillers at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre was another highlight, directed by my brilliant colleague, Sam Donovan.
Looking forward to: I’m particularly excited for On The Banks of The Royal Blue Mersey (despite being a Red!), Someone You Love by SevenBlu3, Northern Comedy’s No Sex Please, We’re British – all at Hope Street – and The Merchant of Venice 1936 at the Playhouse, and The Peaceful Hour at Liverpool’s Royal Court.
Trivia: Next year marks the 25th anniversary of Performers Theatre School, which has introduced thousands of children to drama, dance, and singing. We began on Bold Street in 2001 and moved into our current studios on Hope Street in 2015, which are also home to MAD in the evenings and Rare Studio BTEC and Intensive students on weekdays. The opening of The Hope Street Theatre in 2017 helped transform the building into a vibrant creative hub. It’s been incredible to see the space evolve into a thriving centre for the arts, with so many talented people coming together to create and share their work. And now, with amazing food courtesy of the Arts Bar, there’s truly something for everyone here, from aged 2 to 99!