ALL WE EVER WANTED WAS EVERYTHING is a brand new gig theatre that mixes original live music by James Frewer with bold new writing from Luke Barnes.
It’s a three-act anthem set across three decades, from 1997’s Cool Britanniato 2007’s Broken Britain and today’s Brexit Britain that follows the lives of Leah and Chris, two children from Hull who were promised the world. But what happens when dreams don’t become reality?
It’s a story about the world we inherited and the one we’re leaving behind. It’s the story of a million beating hearts. And an asteroid with other plans.
#AllWeEverWanted was first performed at the Welly Club in Hull as part of the Hull UK City of Culture 2017 programme and later sold out the Paines Plough Roundabout at Edinburgh Fringe.
The production is supported by Hull UK City of Culture 2017 and Arts Council England.
“Middle Child really smash it with a superb piece of gig theatre… [they] combine music and storytelling in an outrageously entertaining fashion.”
Lyn Gardner, The Guardian
”All We Ever Wanted Was Everything got an 11am crowd up roaring on their feet with a show that used a live band to explore New Labour aspiration, disappointment, and parenthood.”
The i Newspaper (at Latitude Festival)
Leah – Bryony Davies
Chris – James Stanyer
Brian – Joshua Meredith
Kimberley – Emma Bright
The MC – Marc Graham
Asteroid – Alice Beaumont
Writer – Luke Barnes
Composer – James Frewer
Director – Paul Smith
Producer – Mungo Beaumont
Asst. Director – Josie Davies
Designer – Bethany Wells
Asst. Designer – Natalie Young
Movement – Yassmin Foster
Sound Design – Ed Clarke
Lighting Design – Emily Anderton
Sound Operator – Tom Ray
Lighting Operator – Sophie Clay
Marketing – Jamie Potter
“Glorious…a raucous, riotous 75 minutes of storytelling, shot through with pop, poetry and politics.”
★★★★ – The Stage
“Theatre as Hadron Collider experiment: a slamming together of a play and a gig.”
★★★★ – The Telegraph
”A rocking rollercoaster ride… theatre for the Buzzfeed generation.”
★★★★★ – Broadway World
“The direction is fantastic, the design is fantastic, the music is fantastic
and the performances are fantastic.”
★★★★★ – Broadway Baby
“A blood-pumping, head-pounding, spine-tingling thrill ride through the decades.”
★★★★★ – 730 Review
Marc Graham – The Stage Edinburgh Award
“His is a frenzied, fearless, unconventional performance, as thrilling for its ballsy spontaneity as it is for its obvious integrity. His stunning, galvanising closing speech will stay with me for a long time.”
Broadway Baby Bobby Award
“The innovation and flawless execution are more than just effective; this show is exciting in its affirmation of the endless possibilities of Fringe theatre.”
730 Review Best of the Best
“Beautifully bleak with an effortless emotional punch, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything is a true highlight of this year’s Fringe.”
