Everyman visits Museum
Stirling Prize Everyman Theatre display at Museum of Liverpool
A display of items from the new Everyman Theatre is to go on show at the Museum of Liverpool on 14 October, to mark a year since the building was awarded the Stirling Prize; the Royal Institute of British Architects’ (RIBA) highest accolade.
Designed by architects Haworth Tompkins, the UK’s most prestigious architecture award for ‘Best New Building of the Year’ was presented to the Everyman in 2014. The display will feature in the Museum of Liverpool’s Atrium, showing a range of items relating to the development of the Theatre’s concept, design and construction including a prototype of one of the unique shutters that adorn the façade of the building, a variety of models, a brick from the original building, and an old boot…
Gemma Bodinetz, Artistic Director of the Everyman & Playhouse, said:
“The Everyman was the first theatre in the UK and the first building in Liverpool to win the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize, a year ago. It’s an accolade that we’ll celebrate and be proud of for many years to come, so it’s fantastic to be marking a year as title holders with a display in a place that celebrates all things Liverpool.
The display includes a few items that link to the construction and design of the building and even an old boot that was discovered inside a wall when the old building was taken down. There are also objects collected during the first performance of Twelfth Night, such as some celebratory streamers from the closing scene, so there’s quite a range to interest visitors.”
The RIBA Stirling Prize is awarded each year to the architects of the building that has made the biggest contribution to the evolution of architecture over the past year. The Everyman won the award in 2014, beating five other shortlisted buildings including The Shard and Olympic Aquatics Centre. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Prize, which will be announced on Thursday.
Victoria Patience, Assistant Curator of Community History at the Museum of Liverpool, said:
“The Everyman is a much-loved part of Liverpool’s cultural landscape, and when it reopened in March 2014, it was an extremely exciting occasion for the city.
Winning the Stirling Prize highlighted its continuing contribution both on the arts scene and as an iconic architectural gem, so we’re really pleased to be hosting a display which acknowledges people’s pride for this important Liverpool institution.”
Opening in March 2014, the new Everyman, designed by Haworth Tompkins (Royal Court, Young Vic, National Theatre) is a beautiful evolution of this radical and democratic theatre. New incarnations of its hallmark features – a 400-seat thrust auditorium and convivial basement bistro – are complemented by facilities which did not previously exist. 21st-century technical equipment, a rehearsal room, costume workshop and sound studio enhance both productions and training opportunities.
EV1, a large studio dedicated to the Everyman’s participatory work, will involve more young people, schools and community groups, and place them cheek-by-jowl with the highest calibre professional practice. A Writers’ Room places artists at the heart of the building, providing a place to work, meet and create. Meeting rooms and a function room offer income-generating opportunities and a Street Café and Theatre Bar expand the social gathering-spaces. The whole building is open, welcoming, human-scale and full of light, and it has been designed to be both exceptionally accessible for those with disabilities and highly environmentally sustainable (rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’).
The Everyman’s façade – an innovative Portrait Wall comprised of 105 diverse people of Liverpool – announces the theatre’s intention that this theatre belongs to everyone, and the new facilities hugely expand opportunities for involvement.
Since reopening, the Theatre was won or been nominated for more than 20 awards and in addition to the Stirling Prize has also won Blueprint Awards 2014 Best Public Project, World Architecture News Performing Spaces Award 2014 and Theatre Building of the Year at The Stage Awards 2015.
The new Everyman was funded thanks to £16.8m of public funding by the National Lottery from Arts Council England, £5.9m from the European Regional Development Fund and £2.5m by the Northwest Regional Development Agency. Ends
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Notes to editors:
Museum of Liverpool
The Museum of Liverpool is one of the country’s most visited museums outside of London. It is the largest newly-built national museum in Britain for more than a century, demonstrating Liverpool’s unique contribution to the world. The first national museum devoted to the history of a regional city, it showcases popular culture while tackling social, historical and contemporary issues. It has attracted more than two million visitors since opening in July 2011. The prestigious Council of Europe Museum Prize for 2013 was awarded to the Museum for its commitment to human rights as well as its work with children and families from all backgrounds.
The Museum has received generous support from several major funders, and grants from trusts and foundations, corporate support and individual donations. Major funders include the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS),Garfield Weston Foundation and the Clore Duffield Foundation.
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) was responsible for the sustainable economic development and regeneration of England’s Northwest and had five key priorities: Business, Skills and Education, People and Jobs, Infrastructure and Quality of Life.
The European Development Fund (ERDF) is making a real difference to people and businesses in the North West. With €755 million to invest between 2007 and 2013, ERDF is enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in enterprise and employment. ERDF in the North West is managed by the Department for Communities and Local Government – for further information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf.
Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) sustains and transforms a wide range of heritage for present and future generations to take part in, learn from and enjoy. From museums, parks and historic places to archaeology, natural environment and cultural traditions, we invest in every part of our diverse heritage. HLF has supported more than 30,000 projects allocating £4.5billion across the UK. www.hlf.org.uk
About National Museums Liverpool
National Museums Liverpool comprises eight venues, including some of the most visited museums in England outside of London. Our collections are among the most important and varied in Europe and contain everything from Impressionist paintings and rare beetles to a lifejacket from the Titanic. We attract nearly 2.7 million visitors every year. Our venues are the Museum of Liverpool, World Museum, the Walker Art Gallery, Merseyside Maritime Museum, International Slavery Museum, Border Force National Museum, Sudley House and the Lady Lever Art Gallery.
Liverpool Everyman
The new Everyman is funded thanks to £16.8m of public funding by the National Lottery from Arts Council England, £5.9m from the European Regional Development Fund and £2.5m by the Northwest Regional Development Agency.
Over £1.9m of private funding has so far been secured from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the Foyle Foundation, the Garfield Weston Foundation, the The J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust, the Granada Foundation, the Hemby Trust, the JP Jacobs Charitable Trust, the Monument Trust, the Oglesby Charitable Trust, the Oliver Stanley Charitable Trust, the Peter Johnson Foundation, the Wolfson Foundation and from private donations.