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HOPE STREET THEATRE, THE KNOWLEDGE QUARTER, LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE, CITY OF LIVERPOOL, LIVERPOOL CITY REGION, UK.
Lee Clotworthy's 'Out The Woodwork' Is A Great Example Of The Brilliant & Original Stories Coming Out Of The Liverpool City Region Theatre Scene
Out The Woodwork is a fantastic example of the talent that is coming out of the theatrical venues across the Liverpool City Region.
I was perched on the top row of the theatre. The venue was brimming with guests, building up to a sold-out Saturday night showing.
'It really was a deliciously dark and hilarious piece of theatre, in equal parts.' - The Liverpudlian.
Comprising of a cast of six, this play follows the story of a relatable everyday Mum, 'Pat', who is busy running a family, working, and trying to balance all of the intricacies of the challenges that life can throw at you.
Inviting her best friend 'Lins' to her house for the Finale of The X-Factor, they round off the evening by checking their Lottery numbers. Clutched in her trembling hands, the winning ticket. Pat is hit with disbelief that she has, in fact, just won £30 Million.
Lins, excited about Pat having won the lottery and sharing the joy with her best friend who is sat next to her on the settee does something rather compulsive. In the spur-of-the-moment Lins posted about the win on Facebook, however, little does Pat know that the world will quickly find out. Suddenly, Pat's phone starts to get calls from people that she has not heard from in a while. Messages on Facebook, a number of texts, and an outpouring of phone calls. It's not just through her phone either. People start turning up at her door. And not all of them have good intentions...
The Liverpudlian going to watch 'Out The Woodwork' in Hope Street Theatre (Credit: The Liverpudlian/This image is an original piece of work by The Liverpudlian Team).
Written & Directed by Lee Clotworthy, with the cast consisting of 'Pat' played by Samantha Richardson, 'Lins' played by Geraldine Moloney Judge, 'Ste' played by Mike Newstead, 'Ciaran' played by Francis J Brack, 'Kay' played by Eve Bowles, and 'Claire' played by Roxanne Male.
The play offered a whole host of moments that will make you gasp in disbelief, with one particular event around the halfway mark that I at least, was definitely not expecting. It really was a deliciously dark and hilarious piece of theatre, in equal parts.
I am always one that is partial for a cosy set, and this was a lovely sight to behold. I particularly like a well designed stage as the scene naturally complements the story. It is something that the characters do not just live in, as you too will be almost inhabiting that world for the length of the show with them. A great set is always a good chance to create immersion and produce an opportunity for the suspension of disbelief.
'Out The Woodwork' has a great cast of experienced actors, combined with a strong story with rapid plot points that propel the play's narrative forward, culminating in a rewarding conclusion. A sharp, original theatrical piece, 5 Stars.
With Lee Clotworthy having brought to life a well put together piece of theatre, I can't help but look forward to more work from him. His knack to craft a collection of humorous yet real characters will be sure to keep audiences coming back to see his work.
Where Did The Show Take Place?
Thursday the 16th to Saturday the 18th of November 2023, at:
Hope Street Theatre,
22 Hope Street,
The Knowledge Quarter,
Liverpool City Centre,
City of Liverpool, L1 9BY,
Liverpool City Region, UK.
Behind The Scenes: Foreword & Cast Bios
You can keep reading on below to get further insights through the cast biographies and all the fab things that they have achieved so far, as well as read the Director's Foreword which details how 'Out The Woodword' came to be.
Director Lee Clotworthy's Foreword For 'Out The Woodwork'
In 2019, the political landscape and personal life experiences set the tone for what was to come in the upcoming years. Now felt the time for me to escape into the world of farcical comedy. I often questioned if we had slipped into the wrong timeline, took the wrong path, hence the thought "Wherever does the 'Red Brick Road' lead to in the classic movie, The Wizard of OZ?' If one was the product of a toxic environment, would the Yellow Brick Road be the right path home? These questions and the thought of holding a piece of paper worth £30million combined, gave birth to Out The Woodwork.
Brought up on a council estate in Whiston and having worked in pubs across the region, the characters wrote themselves; unmasking them was the challenge. And what better way to unmask humanity than with a lottery win?
The entire process has been an absolute joy and we all want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for supporting local stories and local theatre. May your next lottery ticket be a winning one...without the drama of course!
The dramatic scenes of 'Out The Woodwork' unfolding in this one-act play (Credit: Andrew AB Photography/Image was provided to The Liverpudlian to share, courtesy of the Publicist on behalf of their client. We make no claim to this content).
Biographies Of The Cast
'Pat' Played By Samantha Richardson
Samantha Richardson has been an actor for four years fulfilling her life long dream. Theatre roles include 'The Seven Acts of Mercy', 'This Girl: The Cynthia Lennon Story', 'Steel Magnolias', 'Napoli Milionaria' and 'Jekyll & Hyde' amongst many short films. Playing the role of Pat, she is hoping that art imitates life so that she can flit through life being a consummate actor.
'Lins' Played By Geraldine Moloney Judge
Geraldine Moloney Judge has over 35 years experience as a professional actor,trained with the Dublin Youth and National Youth Theatre Ireland,Gaiety School of Acting and Acting Out at the Everyman Theatre Liverpool.
Geraldine has worked extensively in theatre over the years including The ,Gate Theatre Dublin(Three Sisters)Rough Magic Theatre Company at the Olympia Theatre Dublin and Dublin Theatre Festival,Fall From Grace Unity Theatre and Liverpool Playhouse,Theatre,National and International Tour.
She has worked with up and coming Liverpool Theatre Companies Falling Doors (Road to Skibereen Unity Theatre,Edinburgh Fringe)and Silent Gutter(Playtime Hope Street Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe) Geraldine has also written and performed her one woman show Obscured View as part of The Liverpool Irish Festival 2006/07 and 2021.
TV and Film work includes Echoes for Ch 4,Perfectly Frank The Making of a Musical (Film) and more recently as Mrs Mayor in Sky TV's Funny Woman.
Geraldine is delighted to be working on this new and exciting production.
'Ste' Played By Mike Newstead
Originally a teacher, Mike Newstead is a seasoned performer who took up acting in his late 30s performing in numerous plays in Liverpool theatres such as the Unity, Hope Street and Royal Court. These have included lead and supporting roles in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, April in Paris, Rising Damp, Steptoe and Son, Blackadder, Of Mice and Men, An Inspector Calls, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Macbeth, All My Sons and sell out performances of newly written works at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. He's also starred in recent years in newly written works including the sell out plays Those Two Weeks and The Bitters at the Epstein Theatre. I'm also a recently NODA nominated stage performer. For film he's recently co-starred in the highly praised drama Kate and Jake and award winning short film Jumpers for Goalposts.
'Ciaran' Played By Francis J Brack
Francis J Brack is a professionally trained Actor based in Liverpool. He's spent the past five years of his training working in multiple theatres across the NorthWest and was mentored by some of the best names in theatre and film, graduating last year with a Bachelor of Honours, he's shown skill and commitment to his craft. Some of his most notable roles are; Pontius Pilate in The last days of Judas Iscariot, Les in Bouncers an Monsieur Frankenstein in Frankenstein, among many more. Working with director and writter Lee Clotworthy before Francis is ecstatic to get the ball rolling on another dark fun filled comedy with Out the Woodwork.
'Kay' Played By Eve Bowles
Eve Bowles is a local Actor from Liverpool. After recently graduating from LMA university ‘Out the woodwork’ is her professional debut. After five years of experience in theatres across Merseyside her credits include ‘Frankenstein’ at the Epstein theatre, and ‘The Seven Acts Of Mercy ‘ at the Liverpool playhouse. Eve is excited to perform at the Hope street theatre with the company as it is her ‘dream come true' to perform with such authentic talent within the company.
'Claire' Played By Roxanne Male
Roxanne Male has been performing since a young age. She is trained in acting, singing and dancing. She has worked professionally in the business for several years, appearing in T.I.E shows, short films, pantomimes, plays and many big productions. Roxanne has recently toured Brazil with Pink Floyd UK and is due to play The Evil Enchantress in Beauty and the Beast next year. She runs a theatre school for children on the Wirral, Roxyz School of Performing Arts and is very excited to be playing the role of Claire in Out The Woodwork.
Writer & Director Lee Clotworthy
Lee Clotworthy is a working actor/model born and bred in Whiston in the Liverpool City Region. TV includes 'Maryland' (ITV) Writing and directing credits include 'Brian & Queen Tallulah's Glamorous Intergalactic Magic' and 'National Killing Day', both performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Further directing credits include National Theatre Connections 'Class', 'Look Up' and 'A Series of Public Apologies' when he was Youth Theatre Director for Imaginarium Theatre. Theatre Credits include: 'Strange Tale', 'This Girl', 'Uncle Vanya', 'Dick Whittington', Treasure Island', 'As You Like It' and 'The Tempest'. TV Commercial/Billboard credits include Bud Light (for the US Superbowl), Visa, Snickers, Citroen, Smart Car, AWS, AXA, Silent Night, Aldi, McDonald's, UPS and Nature Valley, to name a few.
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