Last week, I saw my first play in Liverpool, which was called Paradise Bound. It was set in the Dingle area of Liverpool and semi-autobiographical. The writer, Jonathan Larkin (26) explains the story of two teenagers growing up in the area, struggling with sexuality, race and aspirations. Their stories are intimately connected with two middle-aged women, one of whom is mother to one of the teenagers.
The play makes explicit response to the European Capital of Culture future for the city and provides a warning for organisers from those who already feel marginal to the plans. I couldn't help but feel that some level of exclusion is envitable in this process.
So, it was a good start, followed shortly by (a week later) a free gig of th Zutons, playing on their home turf for a Channel 4 filming.