Mike Livesley – The Narrator and the rest…

Mike has been active as a singer, songwriter and musician for the last 20 years playing worldwide and releasing 5 CDs of his eclectic work. He has also acted in many plays and short films. In summer 2009 Mike Livesley, after being played the LP by percussionist Jonny Hase, began to check show listings nationwide for someone who was performing this astonishing piece. After many fruitless searches it became clear that no-one was doing it and, in stunned shock, he determined to perform it himself.

With the attitude of ‘build it and they shall come’ Mike was incredibly lucky in finding a dedicated and talented ensemble of people to come together for this production. Everyone involved has given freely of their time, money and skills to produce the piece you are about to see for simply one reason – their love of the source material and the genius that was Vivian Stanshall. His intention is to put Vivian’s name firmly back on the cultural map where it belongs. His love of  the work of Vivian Stanshall, in particular Sir Henry at Rawlinson End has meant that over the last 12 months he has devoted his life to acting and, in particular, honing his performance as, well…everyone in Sir Henry.

Bill Leach – Musical Director and more…

Bill trained at Mabel Fletcher Music College and for the past 30 years has been involved in the North West Music scene, primarily as a lap-steel player. Aside his role as MD in Sir Henry Bill currently plays with Sidney Bailey’s No Good Punchin’ Clowns and teaches music. In the Sir Henry show Bill also plays Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Mandolin, Surpeti and Jaw's Harp

Ged Fox – Trumpet, Penny Whistle, Kazoo…

Ged comes from a traditional large Liverpool Musical family and has been playing gigs with his father since childhood. Ged has made his name for not only a performer but also as a session player and has a long-list of credits. Ged has played with Zen Baseball Bat and Stig Noise Sound System and, like Bill, plays with Sidney Bailey’s No Good Punchin’ Clowns. He is currently studying music at Hope University.

Chris Hough – Double Bass, Banjolele…

Chris took up the Double Bass in 2002 and the ukulele soon after. He has a passion for pre-war jazz and dance music, particularly featuring the ukulele. Chris plays in a number of Liverpool bands including Blue Demon, Sidney Bailey’s No Good Punchin’ Clowns and The Downtown Dixieland Jazz Band. Chris is also a huge fan of Vivian Stanshall and seized the opportunity of playing in Sir Henry at Rawlinson End.

Gemma Crossland – Violin, Tube Trumpet…

Gemma is a drama graduate of John Moore’s University and, aside from Sir Henry, currently divides her time between acting and writing. She has performed in many plays and revues and also plays violin in The Flaming Mamies, an all-girl group who perform their all-girl scouse western swing utilising  traditional instruments such as washboard, ukulele, recorder, banjo and double bass.

Jonny Hase – Percussionist Extraordinaire…

Jonny is an accomplished percussionist with many strings to his rhythmic bow. Aside from founding the Halton School of Samba and playing with Liverpool legends such as The Stairs and Peter Coyle, Jonny is also passionate about his work as a Music Therapist with adults with learning difficulties. Jonny is the first person who played Sir Henry to Mike and the rest is history. In the show Jonny plays all percussion.

John Lewis – Clarinet, Violin, Recorder, Stroh-Violin…

Like Bill John trained at Mabel Fletcher Music College and since graduating has carved out a career playing violin and clarinet professionally. Aside from Sir Henry at Rawlinson End John plays with Pete Bentham’s Dinner Ladies. He was also a member of the fondly remembered band Halfway to Eddie’s. John is also a music teacher.

Chiz Turnross - Production Designer

Multi- disciplinarian Chiz Turnross has spent all his adult years exploring contrasting artistic outlets as Artist, designer, musician,  and filmmaker. He has frequently exhibited in unlikely places- chip shops, back alleys, car boot sales as well as established white wall galleries. From 2006 he worked exclusively with household paints on scraps of wood and cardboard, culminating in 2008 with his 1000 Bird Paintings exhibited during the Liverpool Biennial 2008. Chiz has turned his unique talents to ‘Sir Henry at Rawlinson End’ and created a truly unique look for the show!

Paul Carmichael - The Director has the last word...

Throughout my so-called career I have never allowed logic to guide me. I’ve undertaken many jobs simply on the grounds that I knew they would be fun or challenging or a quick trip into the unknown. From working as the drama writer of the infamous cable television station L!VE TV back in the 1990’s to introducing the concept of Murder Mystery entertainment to Vienna a decade ago to directing an all female cast in a production of Hamlet, I am unable to detect any pattern or concrete sense of logic whilst nevertheless enjoying myself immensely.  Maybe this is why I have felt so at home at Rawlinson End. So, thank you to Mike for allowing me to stroll across the lawns of Rawlinson End, thank you to our wonderful musicians for making everything sound so beautiful and unearthly, thank you to the Stanshall family for allowing us the opportunity to bring Rawlinson End to life and thank you Vivian for being Vivian!!