Green Carnation Company present
CLOTHES SWAP (R&D 2024)
By LIAM MANSFIELD
In Partnership with Waterside Arts, The Proud Trust, Imaginarium Theatre and Shakespeare North Playhouse
Supported by Arts Council England National Lottery Funding
In 2024, we developed Clothes Swap, a new play by emerging writer Liam Mansfield, inspired by his work as an LGBTQ+ youth worker. Set in a youth club, the play explores identity, community, and the messy but powerful process of self-discovery. It tackles the experiences of queer young people with honesty, warmth, and care, while celebrating the importance of spaces where they can feel seen and supported.
It features a cast of young queer characters, their protective but exhausted youth leader, and a suspicious outsider who sees the group as a threat to their own group.
“A really well-crafted piece dealing with some emotive topics with care and humour. Looking forward to seeing this touring in the future!” Jack Dale, Chief Executive of CONTACT Theatre
We worked with young LGBTQ+ people in Knowsley and Trafford to shape the play through workshops, sharings, and creative activities. Their feedback influenced everything – from dialogue and character development to the play’s themes and cultural references. This process ensured the story reflected their lived experiences and was authentic to the communities it represents.
“”Working with Green Carnation has been a truly wonderful experience… They created an environment that allowed me to feel more comfortable taking risks in the writing process and to challenge myself, knowing that if something doesn’t quite work it is met with kindness and openness.” Liam Mansfield, writer
In summer 2024 we partnered with Waterside Arts Centre and The Proud Trust’s Rainbow Reflections group in Trafford to create the play. The young people shaped the play through their feedback and observations and used creative craft activities to facilitate group discussions about why queer spaces for young people were important and how we can use creativity to express our views.
“It was clear that Green Carnation Company meaningfully engaged with our youth group and taken on their feedback. The characters felt like young people I have met at our youth groups before… I think this was perfectly balanced.” Susie Cuthill, CEO of The Proud Trust
In Knowsley, we partnered with Imaginarium Theatre’s Young Company, a group of 12–16-year-olds. Together with facilitator Becks Granger, they devised a performance inspired by the play, exploring themes of acceptance and identity in their own way. Their devised performance was shared with an invited audiences at Shakespeare North in November 2024.
“Green Carnation have provided excellent support throughout the process… We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Becks, who generated a positive, productive working atmosphere. At Imaginarium we pride ourselves on inclusivity, creativity, and kindness, and Becks fitted right in with our ethos.” Julie Ashurst, Education Manager at Imaginarium Theatre
“I really enjoyed working with Green Carnation to develop our characters. Because I just felt that we could do whatever we wanted with it and it was truly driven by us.” Knowsley participant
Clothes Swap R&D has been funded by Arts Council England National Lottery funding.
Waterside Arts sharing photos by Shay Rowan. Imaginarium Theatre sharing photos by Kristian Lawrence.
The Clothes Swap Team
Cast: Beth Nolan, Lara Rose Hancox, Michelle Ashton, Michelle Gilliver & Samuel Carrera
Writer: Liam Mansfield
Director: Dan Ellis
Producer/Dramaturg: Dan Jarvis
Movement Director: Jenn Kay
Cast:
Ash – Samuel Carrera (Manchester) & George Bellamy (Knowsley)
Tatum – Lara Rose Hancox
Den – Beth Nolan
Chris – Michelle Ashton (Manchester) & Hayley Cartwright (Knowsley)
Val – Michelle Gilliver
The staff and young people at The Proud Trust & Trafford Youth Engagement Service
The staff and young people at Imaginarium Theatre (thank you Julie & Gaynor!)
Youth Facilitators Luz Blanco & Ashleigh Owen (Manchester) and Becks Granger (Knowsley).
Supported by Waterside Arts (thank you Darren & Sam!) and Shakespeare North Playhouse
Clothes Swap Artwork by Dan Ellis
Want to support us? Get In Touch
We’re always looking for people who believe in our work and our mission! If you think you can help support us or take Green Carnation to the next level then please drop us an email: greencarnationtheatre@gmail.com
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