Production News
Two Cities United Through A Shared Heritage
Salford and Liverpool are being brought together by their common heritage of the cotton industry and the slave trade in Jimmy McGovern’s first stage play in twenty years.
A co-commission from The Lowry and Liverpool Culture Company, King Cotton is set around the time of the Lancashire cotton famine and the American Civil War.
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.
In the darkest days of the slave trade the North West was the hub of the cotton industry and Liverpool vessels are believed to have transported thousands of slaves. King Cotton, which will be seen first at The Lowry in September, charts the lives of two men deeply affected by cotton industry: a slave and an impoverished mill worker in the north west of England.
With an epic story and compelling music, King Cotton tells the story of a struggle to break free from poverty and slavery, seen through the eyes of Sokoto, a slave working on an American cotton plantation and Tom the mill hand.
Cotton is the thread that binds their lives which are linked until the story 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.
This inspirational tale is directed by 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.
Award-winning Jimmy McGovern, a Liverpudlian, has won consistent acclaim as the author of Cracker, Hillsborough and The Street. 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. It is adapted from an original idea by Ian Brownbill who was inspired by Merseyside historian Laurence Westgaph.
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.”
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.