Maverick is creating a People’s Company to present Shakespeare’s Henry V at Birmingham Library Theatre from 23rd September to 5th October, 2002.

We are looking for a full company of members, including backstage and production. See Jobs and Audtions in the Resources section of this site....interested?
England V France

16 September, 2002 - Further details next week
We've started rehearsing PALS again. The last time it was performed in Birmingham, the whole run sold out, so after 2 years away, it’s time our home grown creation appeared again, hopefully to do the same thing at our new venue, Birmingham Library Theatre. Written by our own Nick Hennegan but with input from the whole team, the comedy is the story of Pete, Andy, Linda and Sue (the P.A.L.S. of the title) growing up in Brum.

This production sees one change of cast from the original 4. The part of Sue, orignally created by Tori Sayce, is being played by Marcia Carr. Tori is still at drama school in London and so was not available. But Marcia, from Birmingham, last year won a prestigious award from the Manchester Evening News for Best Actress! And she's seen every production of PALS! It means that there are some new scenes being written for her, so although PALS will not change too much, there will be lots that is new. So even if you've already seen PALS once, you must come again and spot the differences!

One newspaper said of the first production, “In PALS we have a play which finally offers us genuinely believable Brummies who grow before our eyes and are unashamedly funny”.

Maverick Theatre’s PALS has already seen 5 weeks in Birmingham of tickets selling out. Word-of-mouth spread and glowing reviews appeared. Audiences fell in love with the PALS, roaring with laughter and, at poignant moments, unable to hold back the tears. This is a new production for the Library Theatre, but features original actors Jon Morris, Paul Magson and Carlolyn Coleman. It's being directed again by Julia Smith.
Actor Rebecca Raybone has stepped into the breech and taken the role of Shirley Valentine after Sue had to pull out for personal reasons. Although she only had one week to learn and rehearse the role, reviews and reaction have been very good. Tickets still available at the Library Theatre, Birmingham, England.
Shirley starts next week. Founder and Artistic Director of Maverick Nick Hennegan is directing the company's first show for 2 years, Shirley Valentine. Actor Sue Warhurst is taking the role. Interestingly, although the production is to take place at Birmingham Library Theatre in the City Centre, Maverick's pub roots prevail. Thanks to the kindness of the management, rehearsals are taking place in the Station Pub on the High Street, in Kings Heath!

Tickets for the comedy, which runs from 14-26 January, are available now on 0121-236 5622 further info on 0781 443 5470.
The Maverick Theatre Company are to start producing theatre in Birmingham again in the New Year. The company is shifting its base from the Billesley Pub to become the resident company at the Birmingham Library Theatre in Birmingham City Centre. There will be four full theatrical productions per year. Maverick wants to launch a Citizens Theatre Season. For the first time the company will be producing a Christmas Panto and touring nationally. It is looking for a London partner. The first production will be the Willy Russell classic, Shirley Valentine, directed by Hennegan himself.
MAVERICK'S 1ST PANTO (Oh yes it is!) 16 - 31st December, 2002. (Film to be confirmed)
Staying with Nick Hennegan’s new plays, when PALS was first performed in Birmingham, at the Billesley Pub, its impact was rather stunning, causing audiences to both laugh and cry. One theatre critic, Enda Mullen, in the Solihull Times wrote, "If you only see one play this year, make sure it’s this one". The Stage ended their glowing review with the quote, "… a new play which deserves a future and a wider audience than the loyal following at the Billesley." Subsequent productions in Birmingham and in Solihull sold out, so now, on the recommendation of The Stage, we are taking PALS out to a wider audience! We intend touring nationally in the autumn and Julia Smith is once again directing. Already we have had suggestions for venues. If you have a favourite theatre near you, please drop us a line! Or better still, ask them to get in touch with us!
The play that started it all for Maverick, Nick Hennegan’s one-man, Henry V – Lion of England, met with great success when it was performed in Edinburgh, Birmingham and the USA. Now Nick is working on a three-person adaptation of his own tale. With a working title of HV, director Chris Hayes is arranging for a series of actor’s workshops with Nick. The results can be seen at the famous Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London on Thursday 14 June 2001. The first rehearsed reading of this play was at the off Broadway 52nd Street Theatre in New York last year with an all-American cast.
Nick Hennegan, Maverick's Artistic Director, is currently working on an application for funding to the Regional Arts Lottery Programme (RALP) through West Midlands Arts, for a new play. The draft title of the play is rather controversial, so for now we are calling the project Paddy…! So far, Nick Hennegan is to write and an approach has been made to an international director to manage the project. We are still actively seeking a brewery/pub partnership to take our plans for pub theatre forward to the next level.
Want to work for Maverick? Check out the Jobs and Auditions section under the Resources page for information on vacancies.
Musician John Otway bought his unique stage act to the Billesley Pub. His solo show, 2001 - A Space Otway played to a packed house and solicited three encores! It is hoped the former chart-topper will be tempted back to Maverick in the autumn. Particularly if he has had his second hit by then! Devotees new and old can find out more at www.otway.co.uk
The Fox Maverick second term starts on Sunday 29 April, 2001, and will again feature a production at the end of the term in July. 10-12yr olds are from 2-4pm and 13 yrs upward from 4-6pm. The fee for 12 weeks is £48
The Fox Maverick Youth Theatre Project's first shows were very well received and actor Carolyn Coleman is preparing new productions for both groups to be presented in July 2001, at a venue in Birmingham. These will be versions of Shakespeare's classics, Macbeth and A Midsummer Nights Dream. After a very successful first term, it looks as if the youth project is to become a regular part of Maverick's mission to bring theatre to new audiences.
Due to illness, KES director Julia Smith has been replaced by Glen Bayes.
Plans are afoot to take PALS, by Maverick’s Artistic Director Nick Hennegan and the company, out on a National tour. The play has been performed three times in Birmingham and Solihull, each time attracting rave reviews and sell out houses. We are now looking for venues to receive the four-hander throughout the UK in the autumn.
Comedians Jimmy Frinton and Tom Skehan (Tony Blair) were a great hit at Mavericks Re-Birth Party in Birmingham in January. They joined with DJ Dave Blackshaw from Worthing and local actors John Morris, Cheryl Stott and Paul Magson in a presentation that featured, apart from the comedy and music, a short reading of two new plays to be presented by Maverick in 2001.
Fox Maverick Project - A Youth Theatre for 8 - 20 year olds combines some of the experiments we've made with youth theatre with The Betty Fox Stage School. The Project runs Sunday afternoons. No experience is needed to join the group and we will be catering for those youngsters interested in technical and backstage functions too. Booking forms available from The Betty Fox Stage School on 0121-440 1635, or give me a call or email for further details