Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse has appointed social justice barrister Michael Mansfield QC as chair of its theatres.

The lawyer, who represented 77 of the Hillsborough families in the justice campaign, has been added to the organisation’s board of directors and will succeed Vince Killen as chair later this year.

Michael is renowned for his work defending human rights and civil liberties in high-profile cases, representing clients such as the Guildford Four, the Birmingham Six and the family of Stephen Lawrence.

He has previous ties to theatre, having co-founded the Theatre in the Round in Newcastle under Lyme, helped establish the multi-arts venue Jacksons Lane in London, and assisted with the Tricycle Theatre’s award-winning ‘Tribunal Plays’.

Michael says: “I have a long standing passion for and association with theatre. I regularly attend performances and have many friends amongst the acting fraternity. Earlier this year I came to the Everyman to watch ‘Madame Bovary’ which I thoroughly enjoyed. Humour and hope with brilliant acting, it was a wonderful night.

“I have developed a huge affinity with Liverpool over the years and I am delighted to be able to twin this with my passion for theatre to support and work with the Everyman & Playhouse into the future. I would like to see the continued development of Theatre as a communal and accessible space. It should embrace and enliven our lives.”

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