Dress rehearsal for "Bingo Star" at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool. Picture Jason Roberts
A new show is bestowed on the Royal Court stage in Liverpool called Bingo Star written by Iain Christie and directed by Emma Bird.
Bingo can offer a mixed bag of emotions such as excitement, suspense, tension and laughter. This was certainly inhibited the same feelings when watching bingo star. I say this in a literal sense because audience members can have a chance to win £50 per game of bingo (3 in total) if you’re lucky enough to win the game the cast sing a ballad to the winner such as We Are The Champions by Queen. As well as getting the audience members involved with various call outs. For example, if you’re a lucky winner you don’t shout bingo, no you shout EE ah Lad. But as bingo caller Arthur says you don’t win until he says the win is legit and audience members have to shout back Lucky Git.
The storyline to the show is that Bingo Star is the oldest bingo hall and at the helm is Arthur (Alan Stocks) he and his family run the hall. However, the club is in debt and is being threatened to be closed if they don’t catch up with their payments to the tune of £250k. Arthur’s daughter Lesley (Keddy Sutton) and her daughter Bella (Paige Fenlon) offer to help the community by running a food bank within the hall, where in house resident and basement lodger Keyboard Keith (Johnathan Markwood) orders a tray of spam as he believes there’s a lot of money in spam you know. (Must admit you can’t beat a spam fritter). During the first bingo game Tony (Paul Duckworth) from the council charms his way into the family and sells them the idea that a new build of shops and restaurants could revamp the bingo hall with an influx of new members to bingo star. But is it really the case? Well, I guess you’ll have to find out for yourself and play a bit of bingo too.
The show was immersive and engaging with the audience as well as a few special guests making an appearance. However, I do think that this show has a lot more potential and a lot more to give to get the audience involved, but sadly it isn’t the funniest of shows I’ve seen at the royal court. Don’t get me wrong there are laughs but I felt some jokes just didn’t land with the audience as much as they should. I personally loved the singing of some 80s classics such as Proud Mary. Helen Carter who played Debbie has a powerhouse of a vocal range. I listen to a show of just her and Paige, amazing harmony work.
As much as I would see this show again because I do love visiting the Royal Court I don’t think I’d be running back to see this show just yet. I feel as stated earlier has great potential, but it could have been better. It could be more up tempo in getting the audience involved. Have proper MC vibes when giving the audience the call out sayings see who is louder stalls or the circle really get them going. Maybe get the audience involved in singing Proud Mary because after all it is a banger.
It is worth watching so if you’re lucky enough to have a ticket good luck and I hope you win.
Playing until 8th April, https://liverpoolsroyalcourt.com/
Reviewer: Luke Stephenson
Reviewed: 15th March 2023
North West End UK Rating: ★★★
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