BLOG | From a Beatles-inspired leotard to a Peaky Blinders photoshoot, one young actor shares his early career journey
As part of its Creative Neighbourhoods programme, Liverpool City Council’s Culture Liverpool team supports Rambert’s Future Movement, which aims to give budding creatives a head-start in their career. Here, 19-year-old participant Kieran Gregory talks about leotards inspired by Liverpool legends and rubbing shoulders with industry experts.
I was selected to be a part of Future Movement after having collaborated with the amazing Grace Goulding (Future Movement Liverpool Facilitator) before at various youth groups and events.
The sessions have been incredible to be a part of. Even though our Liverpool cohort has only been up and running since early 2024, I have been given so many opportunities to strengthen my skills, not only as an actor, but as a creative as a whole. The projects have helped strengthen my CV and better connect me with Liverpool’s creative arts networks.
Our first project was about fashion and in particular, how the way we dress reflects where we come from. We created a short film with our own stories etched in it. The short film premiered at Rambert’s HQ in London. This was incredible to see how such a huge company operates day-to-day. It was also fascinating to meet so many creative people at the top of their craft. The film was an incredible experience because it gave me more confidence working in front of a camera as well as the fact we were acting on location, most notably in front of the famous Liver Building.
I was given the platform to tell my story of my football shirt collection and how football gives so many people an identity and something to look forward to in the week. As part of the same event, we designed a leotard for a catwalk to be performed by one of Rambert’s dancers, Cali Hollister. Ours was inspired by the Liverpool City Region, using faces like the Beatles and Paul O’Grady to demonstrate the pride you feel when you come from Liverpool. This was a great experience because it exposed me to the world of contemporary dance and although I’m not a dancer, I still learnt a lot to develop my skills. It was really inspiring seeing the dancers’ hard work pay off by being able to perform to the standard they did.
We’ve also collaborated with set and costume designer Olivia Du Monceau to design and make a protest banner. When the company opened their Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby show in Liverpool in September, we were also lucky enough to showcase our work at their pre-show reception, in front of invited guests and representatives of the Peaky Blinders producing team and the Chief Executive of Arts Council England.
We’re exposed to so many different people, learning about their journeys into the world of creative arts, including well-renowned fashion designer Patrick McDowell, who I interviewed as part of our day at Rambert HQ. I was really interested in their story. Mostly because they are from the Liverpool City Region and this was really inspiring to hear a homegrown story.
Rambert have been so good at letting us use our brains. We’ve gone to them and said ‘we’ve got this idea, can you make it happen?’ And they’ve said ‘yes, we’ll back you to the hilt.’ Whatever stimulus they give us, we’ll put our Scouse twist on it. I love representing Liverpool. Over the last couple of years, things like Eurovision have been fantastic for the community so why not showcase it? Rambert and Culture Liverpool have put their faith in us and given us that opportunity and confidence.
The group meet every Tuesday from 6.30pm-8.30pm at Toxteth Library, Windsor St, Liverpool, L8 1XF. If you are aged 16-21 and are interested in a career in the creative industries, sign-up here. For more information visit Rambert’s Future Movement.