Liverpool’s Royal Court Youth Theatre and North West End Acting School have combined to present a brand-new play set in 19th century Liverpool – The Unlikely Candidate.
The show has been written by North West End Acting School’s Francis Tucker and will be performed by the Youth Theatre’s mentoring group which is made up of students over the age of 17. Tucker, who is best known for his performances in Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, YNWA and as the dame in the last 19 Everyman pantomimes, will also direct the show and has written all of the original music.
The Movement Director for the show is Royal Court Youth Theatre Practitioner Zain Salim (Bouncers, Misunderstood, Terriers) and the cast have received mentor support from Bobby Schofield (Lost Soul 2, The Miracle Of Great Homer Street.)
James Maybrick was murdered in his Aigburth home by his wife in 1889 and following his death, was revealed as a suspect in the Jack The Ripper cases. The Unlikely Candidate puts him firmly in the frame by revisiting his gruesome crimes and shining a light into the darkest places with some unexpected consequences.
A dark comedy with original music written by Francis Tucker and performed by North West End Acting School and Liverpool’s Royal Court mentoring students, this is a story based on the urban myth surrounding Liverpool’s own Ripper.
Join the Royal Court Studio to find out once and for all the truth behind one of the world’s oldest mysteries.
Miriam Mussa, the head of the theatre’s Community Education Department is proud of the progress of the young actors: “The actors in our mentoring group are all aged 18 to 25 and they are looking to improve their stagecraft with us. A number of them are applying for performing arts colleges all over the country and we are here to help them reach a level where they can perform consistently well and confidently. As with all of our Youth Theatre provision, this group is completely free to attend and there is no waiting list. Our reputation is clearly growing as one of the cast joined us last year after applying for RADA who recommended the Royal Court Youth Theatre as the best place for him to develop before applying again!”
The show contains some strong language, so the theatre advises that it is for audience members over the age of 16.
Liverpool’s Royal Court Youth Theatre is for young people aged 11 to 25. It is free to join, there is no audition required and no waiting list. Each summer the Youth Theatre produces a show on the main stage at the theatre and they are looking for cast members now. For more details call 0151 702 5892 or go to www.liverpoolsroyalcourt.com/youth-theatre/
The Unlikely Candidate will be at Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio from 20th to 22nd February. Tickets are £5 and are available from the Box Office on 0151 709 4321 or liverpoolsroyalcourt.com