Breaking the Class Ceiling – A Live Exploration of Working Class Artistry (Plus Scratch Open Mic)

Saturday 30th May

3pm-6:30pm

Join us for an unflinching, live panel discussion that bridges the gap between Unity’s 1930s ‘Workers’ Theatre’ roots and Liverpool’s contemporary creative scene.

In an era where the ‘class ceiling’ remains a challenging barrier in the arts, how do creatives and radical makers keep momentum? We bring together five Liverpool working-class artists to discuss the politics of the stage, the power of heritage, and the future of working-class storytelling.

Following our headline panel discussion, we’re offering a space for working-class creatives to test new ideas, political rants, or works in progress.

Panel Line Up

Stephanie Greer

Stephanie is a multidisciplinary performer based in Liverpool. Originally from Wigan she is proud to be from a working class background and since training at Bretton Hall and gaining her first class honours degree in Acting, has enjoyed a successful career both nationally and internationally. She trained to be an Aerialist at Barnton Circus and is an associate artist with renowned physical theatre company Tmesis.

Alongside her work as a performer, Stephanie is a strong trade unionist and served two terms as Equity’s Northern Area Councillor, during which time she founded Equity’s Class Network, dedicated to improving opportunities for working class voices, of which she remains the Chair.

Stephanie can be seen in ‘Stage Left!’ at The Unity 4th – 6th June. A project which is very close to her heart and is a privilege to be involved in, championing the incredible work of Merseyside Left Theatre and the Unity Theatre movement.

Dr Andrew Sherlock
Dr Andrew Sherlock is a Liverpool playwright, director, producer and award‑winning screenwriter whose work spans theatre, TV, film and BBC radio. A former Senior Lecturer in Drama at Liverpool John Moores University, he has spent over two decades teaching acting, directing, new writing and storytelling, with a particular commitment to widening access to the arts for working‑class talent. His own creative practice is rooted in Liverpool’s cultural and social history, from large scale and arena theatres to national touring, to community‑driven projects and maritime music as a founder member of The Liverpool Shanty Choir. Andrew’s work champions authentic voices, regional identity and the power of story to shift who gets seen, heard and valued in the creative industries – his drama career began in earnest at The Unity Theatre, Liverpool.
Mikey Garland
From homeless to co-founder of one of the North West’s fastest-growing grassroots creative media and heritage organisations, they have raised over £300,000 for ArtsGroupie. A public historian, EDI specialist, performing artist, and guest lecturer, they use their story to inspire working-class entrepreneurs and freelance creatives.
Dr Maria Barrett, SFHEA
Dr Maria Barrett is an academic and researcher with a focus on working class and popular culture. Her background is as a performer, director, producer and manager in theatre. She was a long time board member of Unity Theatre and performed in and directed shows here. Maria is an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, and was an academic Parliamentary Fellow advising the Select Committee of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport on diversity in identifying and selecting expert witnesses on culture. Maria has lived in Liverpool all her life, and is currently contracted to Palgrave Macmillan for a book on class, place, and theatregoing focused on working class audiences, particularly Liverpool theatre and especially the Royal Court.

Dr John Maguire (He/Him)

Creative Director, ArtsGroupie CIC

Dr John Maguire is a Liverpool-based working-class writer, researcher, and the Creative Director of ArtsGroupie CIC. His acclaimed plays include Kitty: Queen of the Washhouse and A Portrait of William Roscoe. He was recently awarded a PhD from Liverpool John Moores University for his thesis, ‘Breaking the Class Ceiling’.

John’s work focuses on advancing inclusive practices and making the arts accessible through site-specific theatre and ‘walkshops’—reaching over 38,000 people annually and ensuring working-class stories are preserved and performed in public spaces. He also leads the Heritage Research Group for the Liverpool Irish Festival.

Dr Ashleigh Nugent is an author, performer, therapist and Founder of RiseUp CIO. His publishing credits include poetry anthologies, academic journals and magazines. He has also written for theatres and the Royal Society of Literature. His debut novel Locks was published by Picador in 2023 to rave reviews including The Telegraph and The Guardian. Ashleigh was awarded Artist of the Year in the Liverpool City Region Culture and Creativity Awards in 2021, and he is a special advisor at the Shakespeare North Playhouse. He has worked all over the UK, in prisons, schools and community settings, teaching others how take more control of their own stories and lives. In 2026, his charity, RiseUp, established a unique Community Hub in the heart of Huyton.

Followed by Radical Scratch Open Mic 5-6.30pm

Line Up

GUSH written by Jess Gough

@Gurfeh

Gush  is a dark, satirical exploration of beauty, bodily autonomy, and the manosphere. The play centres on C and P, two housemates whose relationship is disrupted when P returns from holiday to discover C transformed by a disturbing new beauty practice.
As this underground ritual gains traction, it begins to reshape not only bodies, but minds. Evolving into a collective consciousness. Suddenly, women can call for help without even calling.  But as the trend spreads, so does something else.  Gush spirals into a sharp, unsettling exploration of Western beauty standards, menstrual shame, and the dangerous mindset of misogyny.
What’s the cost of beauty now?
Jess Gough – Writer/P
Amber King – C

Herringbone John and the Kipper Doctors

Finding Peace and Quiet

Jenny Roche

@jennyroche46

A short play: The paths of two men meet as they escape in their different ways from the council estate where they live. The setting is based, loosely, on Oglet Shore on the banks of the River Mersey.

Taking The Piss.
Me & Rhi & Friends.
@moonriceartist and @crip._.keeper
What do you do when the government, the UK Supreme Court, the Equality & Human Rights Commission, the media, and an international bestselling author believe you should not only be segregated but forced to cross your legs and/or tie a knot in it? Well, when you’re trans+/gender nonconforming, you learn from your ancestors and have a singsong. It’s just common sense!
Transgender Kids in Anfield
Mel Mackarel
I’ve lived in Liverpool the majority of my life but lived in Yorkshire in the 80s and Eastern United States in the early 90s. I was a English and SEN teacher. I taught in Wuxi, China in 2019. Now I do rowing, singing and writing and help 4 hours a week in Oxfam . I’m 66 years old.

Hot Air by Ash Cox

@ash_tronomy_

A short live art performance about empty claims.

Contains: latex balloons (please do not pop), permanent markers, optional participation, loud music, strong language, ableism, disabled working-class disabled rage (and joy).

Access: relaxed performance, creative captions, some BSL.

 

More Acts

Claire Beerjeraz

Chris Jenkins

Frank’s Finally Free by David Qualter

Part of Unity’s Heritage Lottery Funded project.