Paul Milton - The Everyman

Paul has been the Creative Director at the Everyman for a long time. He started as an actor and developed in to a variety of roles.

He started by reminding of us of the history of the theatre. Opened in 1891, it is a grade 1 listed building, was designed by Frank Matcham and has a chequered history. It was originally named the New Theatre and Opera House, and the first performance featured the famous Lily Langtry in 'Lady Clancarty'.

Paul was surprised that the Theatre had undergone a refurbishment as early as 1913. But the major building event, which a lot of us will recall, was the redevelopment from  1983 to 1986, when the Regent Arcade was built and a new studio theatre, as well as major improvements back stage were created. Further restoration was carried out in 2011 involving seating, plasterwork, painting reverting to the original colours, and artwork.

The Everyman is difficult in some ways. The capacity of 694 in the main auditorium does not make for really major shows and requires some persuasion with promoters to come there. Sometimes there has to be real imagination to the standard sets to fit in to the width of the stage.

A lot of shows are of a touring nature, either before or after a London run, but increasingly the Everyman is using its own influence with other theatres to create shows - this includes the forthcoming play 'Quartet'.

Paul explained the increasing role played by the theatre in the community, often with those suffering with dementia. Music played a strong part in this, choirs being created from various souces.

A party of us having been to the Everyman the previous week to see 'Birdsong' it was great timing for Paul to visit us A shame that there were so few of us there (partially because of the very wintry weather) but he gave us an excellent talk with his acting delivery very clear!

PAUL ROSEWELL