Over the past 6 months 20 Stories High have been focusing on developing four emerging artists with professional development programme Actors LAB. Actors LAB provides paid opportunities for emerging actors to showcase their work in original, experimental productions.
This year in collaboration with Unity Theatre and Manchester Company TiPP (who specialise in working in Criminal Justice settings) they have been developing two new plays written by 20 Stories High’s Artistic Director Keith Saha. The plays are specifically designed and developed for community settings for young adults who may not have the opportunity to experience live theatre, such as hostels, secure units, hospices and pupil referral units. The aim is to take work to young people who may not have the option to access theatre, or places where the arts have been reduced or stripped away.
Aswell as developing the new shows, the actors have also had a series of skills workshops over a 6 month period with theatre industry experts such as 20 Stories High Associate Lee Corner, Evie Manning from Commonwealth, Sofia Jones From LAMDA as well as Simon Ruding From TiPP.
My Big Brother Sammy, directed by Keith Saha, follows Jess (Ella Jane Allsopp) and her older brother, Sammy (Omar Hussein), during their Nan’s 70th birthday party. When Sammy receives a life-changing message, it forces Jess to confront their sibling relationship in a new and powerful way. Bold, funny, and emotionally charged, this play dives into themes of sibling bonds, female empowerment, and the complex issues surrounding misogyny.
Smiles, directed by Paislie Reid, tells the story of two young women, Makena (Bene Sebuyange) and Ruby (Elspeth Mhairi Todd), whose contrasting personalities create friction when Ruby, an extroverted and unpredictable force, moves into the room next door to the shy and reserved Makena at a hostel. Despite their differences, the two women form an unexpected friendship that helps them face personal challenges and change their lives in ways neither expected.
My Big Brother Sammy + Smiles offers a rich and relatable portrayal of relationships, identity, and resilience, with performances that are sure to resonate with young audiences navigating their own journeys.
Participant Omar Hussein says,
“Being part of Actor’s LAB has been highly enlightening and overall, thoroughly enjoyable. I feel as though a lot of the guesswork surrounding navigating the performing arts sector has been taken out by the programme’s facilitators through the constant and varied nature of the support they provide. The sessions constituting the programme have developed my skills as a performer and I cannot wait to see the avenues that Lab opens up as a consequence”
Assistant Producer and former Actors LAB member, Leonisha Barley says:
“I was fortunate enough to be accepted onto 20 Stories High’s Actor’s LAB programme last year. It was an amazing experience in which I grew so much as an artist and individual overall. I now use those professional artists techniques in my practice as an actor, spoken word artists and emerging playwright and workshop facilitator. Whilst on Actor’s LAB I had my first paid role as Ophelia in ‘who the f–k is shakespeare’ which is an amazing play written and directed by Ameera Conrad.”
“I am also really grateful to have stepped into the role of Assistant Producer here at 20 Stories High. It’s been such a lovely experience to move from a participant on the Actor’s LAB programme to Assistant Producer of the Actor’s LAB programme.”
My Big Brother Sammy + Smiles will open at Unity Theatre on Tuesday 4th – Wednesday 5th February 2025, before embarking on a tour of youth and community spaces, including hostels, secure units, and schools across the region.
Tickets for the Unity Theatre run are on sale now. Tickets are £6, with concessions available. All performances will include captioning and integrated audio description. Tuesday 7pm Wednesday 1pm performances will be BSL interpreted.
This production is supported by Unity Theatre, Arts Council England, the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Coutts Foundation, John Ellerman Foundation, Rayne Foundation and Liverpool City Council.
