Join us for a powerful discussion on class, creativity, and resilience in the arts. Against All Odds brings together a stellar panel of artists and writers who have challenged barriers and defied expectations. From poetry to fiction, from script to screen and from performance to activism, they have each carved a space for working-class voices in the cultural landscape. Featuring Joelle Taylor, Stephanie Greer, Johanne McAndrew and Barrington Paul Robinson, this event will explore the struggles of working-class creatives, the systemic obstacles they face, and the triumphs they’ve achieved along the way. How do we dismantle these barriers? And how do we celebrate the successes? Expect an evening of passionate conversation, personal insights, and inspiration from those who have paved the way.
Joelle Taylor is an award-winning poet, playwright, and author, Joelle Taylor’s work focuses on identity, power, and resistance. She is the winner of the 2021 T.S. Eliot Prize for her collection C+nto & Othered Poems.
Barrington Paul Robinson is an Ethical Producer, he broke into HETV in 2020 on award winning, BAFTA nominated drama, The Responder, then A Town Called Malice for SKY, Disney+, period drama, A Thousand Blows, returning home for the second series of The Responder. Based in Liverpool, he is Co-founder of the BFI Creative Producer Lab and founder of his production company Redbag Pictures. Inspired by the past – powered by the future….he ain’t done yet!
Winner of the BT Best New Talent in Film Award, Johanne McAndrew has almost 30 years experience in scriptwriting with 120 primetime credits. She created the drama Nice Guy Eddie and co-created 3 other series – Candy Cabs, Pitching In and Daylight Robbery – a smash hit for ITV with a huge 44% audience share.A frequent contributor to Casualty, Footballer’s Wives and Dalziel and Pascoe, she was a core team writer for Holby City and Hollyoaks, both nominated for BAFTA and Writers Guild awards. A finalist of the BBC Northern Laughs scheme, Jo has created several sitcoms and has had many adventures pitching to the various networks in Hollywood. In 2020 she was selected in the inaugural cohort for the MSt. Writing for Performance at Cambridge University. In 2023 she was a finalist for The Observer/Anthony Burgess Critical Writing Award for her piece on The Real Housewives of Beverley Hills (her favourite show!)
This event is a partnership between Writing on the Wall (WoW) and the Poverty Research and Advocacy Network (PRAN), an independent advocacy network which aims to bring together various stakeholders to amplify voices fighting against poverty and injustice, both regionally and nationally.
We encourage people to use public transport to travel to events where possible.
*These are difficult times. We know some people may struggle to afford full price tickets. If you would like to attend this event but can’t afford to, please contact info@writingonthewall.org.uk. All queries will be treated in confidence.
Unity Theatre, 1 Hope Place, Liverpool, L1 9BG
£5.00
Date: May 27, 2025
Time: 6:00 pm
Ends: 8:00 pm
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