20 Stories High Actors LAB presents a double bill of two short plays.
This show is the culmination of our Actors LAB programme, a professional development strand of 20 Stories High, specially designed to give culturally diverse, working-class actors a foot in the door with a paid opportunity to showcase their talents as well as take original experimental work out to young audiences. This year we are focusing on going into community spaces, schools, hostels and secure units.
20 Stories High Actors LAB & Unity Theatre present a double bill of two new short plays…
Written by Keith Saha
Directed by Keith Saha & Paislie Reid
My Big Brother Sammy follows Jess and her older brother, Sammy, on the night of their Nan’s 70th birthday party. When Sammy receives a life-changing message, it forces Jess to confront their relationship in a whole new way . Bold, funny, and thought-provoking, this play dives into the highs and lows of sibling bonds, female empowerment, and complex issues of misogyny.
Bold, funny, and thought-provoking, this play dives into the highs and lows of sibling bonds, female empowerment, and complex issues of misogyny.
Smiles follows Makena, a shy and reserved introvert, and Ruby, a loud, unstoppable extrovert who can’t stand being alone. When Ruby crashes into Makena’s quiet world by moving into the room next door at their hostel, sparks fly. But as life throws unexpected challenges their way, the two opposites form an unlikely friendship that shakes things up—and changes everything.
My Big Brother Sammy + Smiles opens at Unity Theatre on Tuesday 4th – Wednesday 5th February, before touring to community and youth spaces.
Both plays are suitable for audiences aged 13+
Supported by Unity Theatre. Rayne Foundation, Arts Council England, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Granada Foundation, The Coutts Foundation, John Ellerman Foundation, PH Holt, and Liverpool City Council.
Show Dates:
February 2025
The plays tackle themes of misogyny, family conflict, mental health, and complex family relationships, female empowerment, friendship, and forgiveness. With live music, loud sounds, strong language, and brief references to alcohol and smoking.
This show will feature captions and integrated audio description. Two shows will be BSL interpreted, more information on specific dates coming soon.
Ella Jane Allsopp
Omar Hussein
Bene Sebuyange
Elspeth Mhairi Todd
Actors Lab
Actors Lab is a professional development strand of 20 Stories High. Specially designed to give culturally diverse working-class actors a foot in the door with a paid opportunity to showcase their talents as well as take original experimental work out to young audiences.
Keith Saha – Writer/My Big Brother Sammy Director
Paislie Reid – Smiles Director
Lin Coghlan – Dramaturg
Leanne Jones – Producer
Leonisha Barley – Assistant Producer
Lighting Design – Xenia Bayer
Jordan Barnes – Stage Manager
Abigail Ramsden – Stage Manager
Mandy Redvers-Rowe – Audio Description
BSL Interpreter – Katie Godfrey
BSL Interpreter – Ashley Farrelly
Joe Harper – Artwork Design
Frederico Lima – Trailer
Photography – Rebecca Oliver
Partners: TiPP & Unity Theatre
For Unity Theatre – Eli Randle, Emily Maguire, Luke Bryant
For TiPP – Rachel Graham, Simon Ruding
For 20 Stories High – Amy Thompson, Lucy Graham, Donna Coleman, Rob Shaw, Maisy Gordon, David Morgan
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