A mere two-minute walk from the Bombed Out church, safely ensconced from the main city thoroughfare is a simple theatrical curiosity worth checking out. Whether you are an actor, writer, director or producer, you absolutely need to acquaint yourself with this space.The new award-winning venue on Rodney Street is the latest discovery everyone in the Liverpool fringe theatre scene is talking about – if you haven’t guessed yet, it’s The Studio Below.

It’s rare that I’m among the first to know about a new trendy location, but I got lucky – I was one of the first to visit the space in the basement at number 39 Rodney Street back in January when it was undergoing a refurbishment. Sharon Colpman, Founder of the Studio Below, gave me the grand tour after we recorded a podcast about her upcoming stage piece, Lesley at the Weekend, ahead of the 2023 What Happens Next? competition by Tip Tray Theatre.

I followed The Studio Below team on Facebook and saw the incredible transformation from a dusty building site devoid of colour to a fully kitted out mini theatre and recording suite in purple and black.

The Studio Below is the latest home of Make it Write (MiW), which, while it has inhabited a couple of locations, really came into its own during lockdown as an online home for creatives in the theatre domain. The Studio Below now provides that physical incarnation and is a continuation of the great works MiW started six years ago to help playwrights get their plays up and on stage.

The next time I experienced the Studio Below, it was unrecognisable. It was nearly time for Make-It-Write-a-vision: a playwriting contest.

The production team had not one but four plays to cast, so auditions were taking place throughout the space. While these situations are anxiety-inducing for most actors, I distinctly remember the warm feeling and community spirit enjoyed by all the actors, casting directors and volunteers. Somehow, it felt like a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon, regardless of the outcome.

Since then, I’ve visited The Studio Below for rehearsals, a film showing of Park Life, the successful MIW tag teaming effort that enjoyed a positive reception across its two runs in the Casa, I’ve attended various shows and workshops and a personal favourite, Kiefer Wes Williams’s Progress Your Acting Workshop: Moving on to the Professional Stage – a six part course that equips new actors with the practical tools they need to professionalise their acting profile as well as teaching them how to stand out once landing that dream role.

I’ve even been to an awards ceremony there, where the studio garnered the Liverpool Fringe Festival award for “Best Venue”.

Each time I visit, it’s like a home from home, with its kitchen facilities for a cuppa during rehearsals, various cosy spaces to have a natter with creative associates and friends, and its ability to transform into a relaxing evening venue for spoken word nights and celebrations. The licenced bar is an extra bonus.

Sharon Colpman describes how things have been panning out at The Studio Below since its inception:

“It has started to get really busy in the studio, especially coming up to The Liverpool fringe festival. I walk in to find a singing workshop going on every Monday night, which is pay at the door or find rehearsals in both our rooms whilst in the podcast suite films are being edited. Another day I could find actors brushing up their self-tape skills or making a short film. There are always people in the kitchen brewing up and chatting. It gives me a real buzz to see what has always been our dream come to life.”

So, what exactly can you find at The Studio Below?

• There is a stage and auditorium which seats 35 people – ideal for if you’re a new production company or testing out a piece for stage and want to get feedback before you take it to larger venues such as Hope Street Theatre.

• A tech room and sound booth with support from in-house technician, Blake Emery.

• A fully equipped podcasting suite and area to record your audio plays.

• Rehearsal spaces which can be hired out by the hour – from just £8.

• A kitchen area for refreshments as well as providing an additional area for workshopping and discussions.

How exactly can you use The Studio Below for your theatre project?

Simply put, you can perform your show, whether in full or as a rehearsed reading. You can hire out space for rehearsals, record your podcast or audio play, film your next show reel scene or audition piece or hold auditions.

An example - Fledging playwright Jamie Cunliffe got his play produced, directed and acted by MiW following one of their writing workshops:

“It was great to be given an idea of what Uncle Toad would look like on stage at [the MiW workshop] Play with your Play and was thrilled when the director on the night said that it was going to be produced at the Fringe Festival.”

What else is happening at the Studio Below?

Not only is The Studio Below a space for hire, it’s also a happening location with its own programme of events. Check out their online shop for the next shows. There’s also a spoken word night on 15th December currently accepting submissions from writers for monologues, duologues and poems. Follow the group for more information on how to get involved. There are also courses and workshops for writers, actors and directors.

Rehearsals are underway for an upcoming MiW production scheduled for February. Ted Gray, the writer and MiW co-producer fills us in:

“Make It Write Productions has a new work coming to the Hope Street Theatre on March 1st and 2nd next year. It pushes at the boundaries of theatrical form with little in narrative structure but is inhabited by deeply drawn characters whose existence are real but we rarely acknowledged. Coupled with soundscapes from our seafaring port city and lighting to also evoke that nautical heritage MiW hopes to make you fall in love with the evolving characters and flee to sea with them. A bunch of moustachioed pirates invading the Owl and Pussycat’s love story.  Make it Write plans to put down a marker with this production.  It is will create discussion and will divide opinion, but that’s no bad thing. Draw it in your calendar like a pencil thin moustache… with sharp lines and a feinting curl.”

The final word

The lack of affordable space for theatre makers to rehearse and perform in the city has long been lamented, with popular venues disappearing off the map. The Studio Below not only offers competitive rates for use of their rehearsal rooms, the 35-seater auditorium means it’s the perfect spot to test out your new work without large financial overheads. It’s easy enough to find 35 people to attend a show, thus removing the pressure on small production companies.

Get in touch to book a tour of the space if you have a project and you think the Studio Below could help.

Upcoming show link: https://store.makeitwrite.org/

Course link: https://store.makeitwrite.org/

MiW Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/519956188348751

Written by, Kirsten Hawkins

Images by, The Studio Below