New attachments at Liverpool Everyman

Paislie Reid as Mat in Attachment. Pic: Ean Flanders

Liverpool Everyman continues to champion the city’s next generation of artists with Attachment (June 4-13), a Made in Liverpool production written by Julia Cranney and directed by Kate Treadell, both graduates of the theatre’s talent development programmes.

Attachment has been developed by the Everyman alongside adoptive families from Merseyside, and explores parenthood, hope, adoption and the ways relationships can grow.

Julia said, “I’m interested that there is a 'Disneyfied’ view of adoption; people who adopt are often put on a pedestal, but it's so hard to be on a pedestal when you're asking for help and nobody's is on your level to help you.

"These people are picking up the pieces for an under-funded service because we assume parental love will fill that gap. I hope Attachment starts conversations about the system, and perhaps how it can be changed for the better.”

Paislie Reid returns to the Everyman as Attachment leading character Mat. Paislie is associate director at Liverpool-based 20 Stories High; is co-founder and artistic director of the Black Actors Collective and volunteers at Positive Impact, assisting at singing, dancing, drama, and personal development workshops in her local community. Paislie's television credits include CITV series The New Worst Witch, Special Measures, Unforgivable, Casualty, Brassic 4 , Emmerdale, and Tin Star 3.

Since 2023, the Everyman has developed programming to tell stories with new artists and new ways of working. Attachment is the fifth show in this strand.

Nathan Powell, creative director of the Everyman and Playhouse, said: “Emerging artists can explore bold ideas with the freedom to take creative risks.”

More info and tickets here