Dr Who star says Everyman theatre 'changed my life'

David Morrissey has spoken of his relationship with the "very special" theatre

Liverpool-born actor David Morrissey has thanked a much-loved theatre for "changing his life" as it celebrates its 60th anniversary.

The city's Everyman Theatre opened on 25 September 1964 and launched the careers of stars including Bill Nighy, Julie Walters, Jonathan Pryce and Pete Postlethwaite.

Six decades, a major refurb and thousands of shows later, the Hope Street venue continues to cement its reputation for ground-breaking entertainment - from poetry and plays to pantomimes and film screenings.

Dr Who and Sherwood star Morrissey said the theatre is "everything to me" as it aims to raise £60,000 to support young actors and other talent across its stage.

He said it was his cousin who introduced him to the Everyman.

He said: "The youth theatre took us seriously as young people and encouraged us to have our creative life."

Morrissey said seeing big-name actors like Jim Broadbent and Anton Lesser in the theatre's foyer was a "wow moment" that inspired him further.

"They were all absolutely kind to me, nobody told me where to go or to get lost," he said.

The Everyman Theatre opened in 1964 in Liverpool

The theatre, which lies between the city's two cathedrals, was the brainchild of Terry Hands, Martin Jenkins and Peter James. The friends said they had no business plan but knew that Liverpool needed an innovative theatre.

The building was first constructed as Hope Hall, a chapel built in 1837 which then became a concert hall in 1853, and later Hope Hall Cinema, until 1963.

Mr Jenkins said he cannot recall how the theatre got its Everyman name but said: "We thought we could bring a new type of vibrant, very alive theatre, and the choice fell on Liverpool."

It reopened in 2014 after a three-year rebuild at a cost of £27m.

Head of production Dan Franklin said the theatre continues to showcase a variety of shows while Sarah Lewis, company manager, said the theatre has a "warm feel" with elements of "the old incorporated into the new".

Morrissey, who will be returning to the theatre on 24 October as part of its 60th celebrations, added: "A city like Liverpool needs theatres that show various things and I think the Everyman has always been good at that."

As part of the 60th anniversary celebrations, the theatre has launched their 'Everyone Starts Somewhere' campaign to highlight the importance of regional theatres, not just for theatre but also the film and TV industry around the world.

The campaign is fundraising for £60,000 across the next 12 months towards talent development, supporting the award-winning Young Everyman Playhouse and bringing new diverse voices to the stages.