As the Capital of Culture Celebrations continue around the city we present the next slice of our theatrical cake and invite you to indulge in Part II of our 2008 programme.

The opening production of our Part II season fully encapsulates the theatres’ mission for the Capital of Culture year as we take a European classic and give it a Liverpool heartbeat. Roger McGough has written a sparkling new verse adaptation of Moliere’s 17th century farce Tartuffe, shot through with the customary charm and wit of ‘Liverpool’s poet laureate’.

In stark contrast the second Made In Liverpool production of Part II is an uncompromising account of the human cost of war written by local playwright Esther Wilson, one of the lead writers on our award-winning production Unprotected. Based on the experiences of mothers and families of sons serving in our armed forces, Ten Tiny Toes is a heartbreaking and compassionate play that continues our proud tradition of powerful new writing at the Everyman.

The final in-house production of the season has, of course, already been announced. Phil Willmott’s Once Upon a Time at the Adelphi, specially commissioned for the European Capital of Culture, is a toe-tapping musical which celebrates one of this city’s most iconic landmarks. With a story that spans sixty years of this unique hotel’s extraordinary history this romantic musical will have you dancing all the way home!

Our visiting work for this season brings an array of high-quality theatre, ranging from much loved local companies to those of historic and international renown. At the Everyman, Liverpool theatre companies Reject’s Revenge and Spike Theatre bring their cult spontaneous theatre show Hoof!, while the delightful Hugh Hughes and Hoipolloi return to lift the lid on life’s final mystery with Story Of A Rabbit. We are also proud to welcome Yellow Earth Theatre and the prestigious Beijing Opera Theatre with Running the Silk Road, an extraordinary theatrical collaboration that combines ancient and modern, Eastern and Western theatrical techniques and story-telling to spectacular effect.

Part II at the Everyman rounds off with the return of Everyword, our annual festival of new writing which has been extended to two weeks especially for 2008. The fortnight of workshops, events and readings features sessions lead by some of the country’s leading practitioners and companies, including Jonathan Harvey, Tim Firth and Paines Plough. As always, there will be first readings of brand new plays from up-and-coming local writers and, following their Everyword debut last year, The Miniaturists make a welcome return with their unique brand of small yet perfectly formed plays.

At the Playhouse Watermill Theatre make a welcome return to Liverpool with London Assurance by Dion Boucicault, a witty and stylish romantic comedy of misunderstandings and mistaken identity, while the unique Daniel Kitson brings The Impotent Fury of the Privileged, his beautifully quirky and hilarious new stand-up show about wanting to change the world but not doing enough about it.

Finally, look out for our Part III announcement this summer as we complete our 2008 trilogy with a programme featuring a new musical, Eric’s, and of course Pete Postlethwaite in King Lear.

And there’s lots more still to be revealed…

We look forward to welcoming you to the Everyman and Playhouse.

Gemma and Deborah