Radical theatre company Red Ladder’s first post lockdown show is Homebaked – The Musical co-produced with Liverpool’s Royal Court.
It’s a musical comedy based on Liverpool’s famous co-operative bakery inspired by the real-life group of local residents coming together to save their neighbourhood bakery – and their homes – from demolition.
Back in 2012 the people of Anfield faced losing a huge slice of their local community to property developers. Things were looking bleak until a group of like-minded individuals got together to say ‘enough is enough’. They wanted a place for locals to earn a crust so they transformed a crumbling old bakery into Homebaked.
What started with a half-baked idea rose and rose until it had spawned a thriving community business with plans to transform the adjacent terrace into environmentally sustainable, quality homes and commercial spaces with affordable rent.
Red Ladder have recruited their long-time collaborator Boff Whalley to write it and the former Chumbawamba songwriter has also composed the music.
As part of this new co-production the Royal Court and Red Ladder will be working with members of the community in Anfield to create a choir that will become a key part of the show. Homebaked – The Musical will be directed by Red Ladder’s artistic director Rod Dixon who grew up in Liverpool.
“This true-life story of locals standing up to save their community in Anfield is ripe for adapting into an uplifting new musical drama,” says Rod of this newly commissioned work. “The story behind the Homebaked bakery and Community Land Trust is incredibly inspiring. A real show of working-class resilience, pride and defiance and the power of people pulling together and refusing to bow down to bullies.
“Liverpool’s Royal Court is the perfect partner for Red Ladder in creating this new co-production, both organisations put local communities at the heart of our work. As well as experiencing a great night out, our audiences feel represented, moved and inspired watching stories unfold on stage that reflect their real lives.”
Boff Whalley and Red Ladder have previously worked together on Big Society!, We’re Not Going Back and Wrong ‘Un about the suffragette movement that toured off and on for five years.
“What I loved about making Homebaked into a musical comedy is that it’s a good night out, and a way to feel inspired and positive,” says Boff Whalley. “Music and laughter are so important to stories like this – changing the world one singalong chorus at a time. It’s what we all need right now; that sense of feeling stronger together.”
Homebaked – The Musical will have its premiere at Liverpool’s Royal Court from 24th September to 23rd October 2021. For tickets and more information, please visit www.redladder.co.uk