After 19 years penning the beloved annual rock 'n' roll pantomime at the Everyman Theatre, the writers have been unexpectedly let go.
The Everyman Theatre is a Liverpool institution, with its eclectic range of thought-provoking, innovative and entertaining shows, plays and performances dazzling audiences for decades. One of its staples is the rock 'n' roll pantomime, which usually dominates the theatre across the Christmas period, from late November until January.
For 19 years, the phenomenally popular feature has been penned by freelance theatre makers Mark Chatterton and Sarah Nixon. The award-winning couple received the news they'd been let go like " a bolt out of the blue", following the success of Robin Hood and a win at this year's Great British Pantomime Awards.
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Speaking to the Echo, parents-of-three Sarah, 47, and Mark, in his 50s, said despite the initial shock, they are looking forward to what their future in the creative industry holds. Sarah said: "The rug has been pulled out from under us - not giving us a heads-up has made it financially difficult but we're freelancers through and through, it's in our blood. Work's coming through for next year, so that's really good.
"The kids are really shocked but they've said we've been more creative than ever. It's not being able to say goodbye to the audience."
Reflecting on their history at the famed theatre, Mark added: "There wasn't any reason to see it coming, that's been a difficult thing for us to get our heads around. It felt like family, we were very close to everyone in the building and we've got friends there still but it was a surprise, which is tricky.
"We've made extraordinary friends along the way, we've grown up together and there's lots of history. It's the whole creative team that's been replaced - if we had that 20th year, we would have been able to do it really celebratory and say goodbye."
In agreement, Sarah said: "We'd have put that in the writing and been able to mark it. There's no sour grapes though. Getting the award was a really proud moment and a really positive way to bow out after all these years."
They saw their efforts rewarded this year with a win in the coveted Best Panto and Musical Direction category at the Great British Pantomime Awards. They were also nominated for Best Design and Best Sound Design.
The creative couple were first asked to pen a rock 'n' roll pantomime for the Everyman Theatre two decades ago and were delighted by the Liverpool audience's reaction and willingness to embrace "the nuttiness" of their shows. Sarah explained: "We had three kids in five years and got asked to do this.
"Sleep deprived, we just made it up - some nights we'd put the kids to bed and be up writing till 3am and then up with the kids for 7am, it was crazy. But when we got it in front of the Liverpool audience, they loved the nuttiness of it.
"When we first got the gig, we'd never seen a rock 'n' roll panto but we'd done traditional pantos. Aladdin was our first one, with Francis Tucker as the Genie, dressed in lycra - he's never forgiven us but we are godparents to his baby, so he can't have been too mad.
"We've poured so much love into them over the years but it's because we got so much back from the audience. It's kind of come full circle after 19 years - the way we could end with Adam Keast being Robin Hood was joyous."
Mark added: "It's been a real joy and privilege to do it and people have really embraced it and that's been such a wonderful thing to be a part of for so long. That audience laughing is the greatest sound ever.
"They're the best audience in the world - they are the eleventh member, it's like a party. Our job is to give them a party and invite them to it. I can't remember a single show where they've not been up for a party - you always know you're in Liverpool because it's going to be a riot. We'll miss that."
The couple, from Macclesfield, say they "always see Liverpool as home" and are keen to maintain a connection with audiences in the city. Sarah said: "We have a real affinity with Liverpool, we've built that up over 19 years so it's not like we can take that to another [place].
"We're still really keen to assist with other shows here. We know a lot of people [in the industry]. Our intention is, once we've picked ourselves up, we will continue but it just won't be this year."
In a joint statement, the couple said: "Nothing lasts forever and as freelancers we certainly know this, but regrettably our time writing the iconic rock 'n' roll Christmas show for the Liverpool Everyman has come to an end. The news was a bolt out of the blue that we didn't see coming as we were riding high on the success of last year's Robin Hood, winning Best Panto and Musical Direction and being nominated for Best Design and Best Sound Design at the Great British Panto awards.
"So now we have time to reflect over the past 19 years we were there - and what a time we've had, writing madcap adventures, running wild on flights of fancy while pushing the panto boundaries to infinity and beyond. And to have everybody who's been involved with our shows, including our loyal audience, to wholeheartedly embrace the crazy worlds we created and enter the magic and fun spirit in which they were conceived, has been phenomenal."
They continued: "We have simply had the most magical time, full of laughter and fun and have made many, many friends along the way. Our only regret is we didn't have the opportunity to say a proper goodbye to the audiences from Liverpool and beyond, who have shared their Christmases with us and laughed and partied like no other audiences in the land."
The couple added: "It's only been a month since ourselves and the creative team received the email telling us of the new plans for the Everyman Panto this year but it's already proving a very creative and exciting time ahead for us as writers... we'll be back - onwards forever onwards."
An Everyman spokesperson said: "The rock 'n' roll panto is an Everyman tradition going back to the 1980s and has undergone many evolutions since that time, with different creative teams and cast over the years. As we've moved through the challenges and opportunities of the last two years and with our new creative director Suba Das on board, we're reviewing and refreshing many aspects of what we do.
"Our decision to change the freelance creative team this year, who are engaged on an annual basis, allows us the opportunity to work with new voices and a wider range of talent from our city. We're excited to be opening up the panto audition process to acting and music talent in Liverpool for the first time this year, with details to follow shortly.
"We can assure audiences, the much-loved rock 'n' roll panto is very much a part of our future and we're committed to bringing as much sparkle, silliness and musical delight as it has done in its 40 years history." For more information on upcoming shows at the Everyman and Playhouse Theatres, click here.
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