Production News

King Cotton World Premiere

The Lowry - Wed 12 - Sat 22 September 2007
Liverpool Empire - Tue 25 - Sat 29 September 2007

JIMMY McGOVERN – WRITER
JUDE KELLY – DIRECTOR
IAN BROWNBILL – ORIGINAL IDEA / MUSICAL SUPERVISION

This September The Lowry stages the world premiere of King Cotton, a co-commission with The Liverpool Culture Company, which will also open at The Liverpool Empire later that month.

This is the first stage play in 20 years from one of Liverpool’s best-known playwrights, the award-winning Jimmy McGovern, author of Cracker, Hillsborough and The Street, and adapted from an original idea by Ian Brownbill. Famous for his incisive take on contemporary society, McGovern uses his unique talent to bring another controversial period in the country’s history to life.

This ground-breaking co-commission not only links two cities renowned for their artistic excellence but also three of the most important names in theatre, music and television.

Since opening in 2000, The Lowry, the hugely popular and award-winning arts venue on Salford Quays, has brought a dynamic new strand to the performing arts portfolio of the region and in 2007 presents its most ambitious project yet, King Cotton.

In the run up to Liverpool becoming The European Capital of Culture 2008, King Cotton is staged at a highly significant time. Commissioned to mark the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, it is one of the highlights of the city’s 800th birthday calendar and is part of the city’s Year of Heritage programme.

King Cotton is directed by one of Liverpool’s most famous daughters, Jude Kelly, former Artistic Director of West Yorkshire Playhouse, currently Artistic Director of London’s South Bank Centre and one of the most dynamic and innovative theatre and opera directors of recent times.

With epic sweep and compelling music, it tells the story of the struggle to break free from poverty and slavery, seen through the eyes of Sokoto, a black slave working on an American cotton plantation and those of Tom, an impoverished mill-worker in the North West of England. It is set at the time of the American Civil War and the Lancashire cotton famine.

Cotton is the thread that binds their lives; lives inextricably linked until the story is finally played out and reaches its emotionally wrought conclusion. The narrative is driven by a group of musicians performing music inspired by the traditional sounds of Northern mill towns and the plantations of the Deep South, with the defiant pulse of the African drum resonant.

King Cotton is produced by The Lowry and co-commissioned by The Lowry and the Liverpool Culture Company. King Cotton is supported by The National Lottery through Arts Council England, and the PRS Foundation.

Robert Robson, The Lowry’s Artistic Director, commented “We’re delighted to collaborate with the landmark event of Liverpool’s City of Culture in this unique way. King Cotton is the realisation of a long term ambition for The Lowry, which has involved raising significant funds. This is such an exciting project and we’re thrilled to be working with the talents involved. King Cotton is also a great opportunity to build on our successes. It enhances the rich and dynamic theatre programme that we create ourselves and bring in from across the UK and around the world.”

Councillor Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “In our 800th birthday year, we are delighted to have joined forces with one of the most exciting arts organisations in the country. King Cotton brings together a wealth of extraordinary talent from Liverpool and beyond. It examines a turbulent period of history on both sides of the Atlantic, directly affected by Liverpool’s status as one of the main ports essential to the existence of the slave trade. The production will surely be a major landmark in the city’s already rich theatrical history.”