Scrappers celebrates young talent at Liverpool Playhouse

Daniel Matthew’s debut play Scrappers is giving young talent in Liverpool a chance to perform.

The play tells the story of a small group of scrap merchants. Written by Daniel Matthew and directed by Matthew Xia, the cast features David Judge, John McGrellis, Ged McKenna and Molly Taylor and will be staged in the intimate ‘upstairs’ space from 24 October to 16 November.

Way out west, on the edge of England, the sun is setting on the last scrapyard in town. It’s Friday night and time for a pint for Ken and his loyal apprentices Morse, “Fleetwood’s answer to Jack Kerouac, if anyone’s asking” and Ryan, who just wants a smile from the girl at the bus stop. But a storm is brewing, and the thunder of bulldozers grows closer, and then, Carlsberg in one hand, Jimmy Choos in the other, Jodie turns up.

Writer Daniel Matthew developed the play while on the Young Everyman Playhouse Writers Programme and it was noticed in a rehearsed reading at last year’s Everyword Festival.

It is directed by Everyman and Playhouse Director in Residence Matthew Xia who is with the Playhouse as part of the Regional Theatre Young Directors Scheme. In September Matthew will direct Athol Fugard’s Sizwe Banzi Is Dead at the Young Vic through the Genesis Future Directors Award.

Ged McKenna leads the ensemble cast as scrap merchant Morse. The two apprentices are played by David Judge, best known for his role as Danny Valentine in Hollyoaks, and John McGrellis, who has appeared in The Alchemist (Liverpool Playhouse) and God’s Official (Unity Theatre). Molly Taylor whose stage credits include Love Letters To The Public Transport System (National Theatre Scotland) and Accomplice (Menier Chocolate Factory) plays Jodie.