Liverpool’s Royal Court Archives

25Sep

By Carole BaldockNo Comments

North West

Stayin’ Alive – Liverpool’s Royal Court

Haha, haha… welcome to a funny peculiar comedy, and it needs to be full of laughs as Maggie’ tragic tale unfolds. What does she have to live for after all? About a year since her beloved Nan died, she has no friends, her sister is a bitch - her mother an even bigger one. She ricochets between clearing out the house where her grandmother brought her up, karaoke evening at the Blue Anchor and a therapist with problems of his own. Clearly written from experience, I was astonished to find that writer Victoria Oxley was taking the lead role. But wouldn’t be at all astonished to find that co-performer Emma Bispham is her BFF, such is the chemistry between them. And co-performer doesn’t start to cover the latter’s range: mother, sister, therapist, plus memorable tribute acts, by no means in a ...

Speedo Mick The Musical – Liverpool’s Royal Court

5Jun

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Speedo Mick The Musical – Liverpool’s Royal Court

It feels amazing to be back writing for North West End UK again and to kick off my first review of 2025, I was invited to watch ‘Speedo Mick The Musical’ written by John May, music by Boff Whalley and directed by Conrad Nelson, at the iconic Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre. For those who don’t know Speedo Mick, otherwise known as Micheal Cullen. Raises money for charity by walking in all weathers and even in sub-zero temperatures all in his pair of blue Speedo’s and not forgetting his Everton scarf. Raising over a million pounds for selected charities. So quite rightly this story had to be told and give him the recognition he deserves and more. The show opens with Johnny (Lenny Wood) at the top of the building, unable to see the light and wanting to end his life. This is until he is ...

8May

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Making It! – Liverpool’s Royal Court

You know what to expect when you take your seat in front of the Royal Court stage. As ever, this production was overtly scouse, laugh-a-minute and easy watching. If you weren’t looking closely at the show poster, you would be surprised to learn that the entire production is a duologue. A hefty feat for any actor, but a challenge Cath Rice and Andrew Schofield executed with ease and maturity. No matter what character he played, and various he did, Schofield always exudes charm and professionalism on stage. His versatility in this production was as hilarious as impressive as he had to juggle a mixture accents, costume changes and exuberant stage entrances. But I’d expect nothing less from him. Due to the two-hand nature of this production, it was at times extremely dialogue heavy, almo...

2Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Red Or Dead – Liverpool’s Royal Court

When the email allocating this review landed in my inbox, I could be forgiven for thinking that my Liverpool supporting editor was playing an April Fool’s prank. The choice to send a Salfordian and Manchester United fan to review a play about the inexorable rise of Liverpool FC - staged in the heart of that city - could be seen as cruel and unusual punishment. I would object, if it were not for the fact that his decision meant I was fortunate enough to attend one of my highlights of the theatrical year, with a stunning central performance and enough heart to fill Old Trafford, let alone Anfield. ‘Red Or Dead’ Is a stage adaptation of the 2013 novel by David Peace telling the story of the reign of Liverpool’s legendary manager Bill Shankly, from his appointment in 1959 through to his une...

It’s A Wonderful Life – St George’s Hall

14Dec

By Mark DavorenNo Comments

North West

It’s A Wonderful Life – St George’s Hall

Having completed a two-week run at Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio and with the bells well and truly ringing, Old Fruit Jar Productions turned to St George’s Hall to spread the festive magic of this delightful tearjerker production a little further. Christmas Eve, 1946 and down-on-his-luck banker George Bailey (Robbie Fletcher-Hill)) feels life has passed him by, and he's at the end of his tether, so angels Joseph (Andrew Johnson) and Gloria (Faye Griffiths) decide to send a fledgling guardian angel, Clarence (Jordan Barkley) to earn his wings, but if he is going to be of any help, he needs to understand who George truly is: the young boy at play with brother Harry (Anthony Roberts) and friend Sam (Taona Matope)? Or the young man distracted by the attractions of Violet (Rachel McGrath) a...

It’s a Wonderful Life – Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio

21Nov

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

It’s a Wonderful Life – Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio

I was glad to see how busy it was in the Studio for this production. Sometimes one feels slightly exposed and as though they should fear the worst sitting in a sparsely filled audience. Old Fruit Jar Productions is beginning to build up a solid reputation for bringing trustworthy and impactful theatre to the local area and I must say they continue that trend with this staging of It’s a Wonderful Life. Firstly, if you have yet to feel Christmassy then seeing a show like this will at once change that. The wholesome and honest story is a classic for a reason, that said, a classic on screen and so I was curious to see what it could be on stage. Due to the small space, they had to be economical and efficient with set and frills; not even the most high-tech theatres can jump from an off...

It’s A Wonderful Life – Old Fruit Jar Productions at Liverpool’s Royal Court and St George’s Hall

28Oct

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

It’s A Wonderful Life – Old Fruit Jar Productions at Liverpool’s Royal Court and St George’s Hall

Time and tide wait for no man – so the saying goes – and it’s almost time for the angels at Old Fruit Jar Productions to get their wings with their production of It’s A Wonderful Life scheduled to premiere at Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio on 19th November through to 30th November before transferring to St George’s Hall on 10th December through to 13th December. For those who don’t know the original, it’s Christmas Eve, Bedford Falls and George Bailey, a down-on-his-luck banker, believes life has left him behind. But when his guardian angel appears, George is astounded to witness what life could be like without all of the good deeds he’s done. Maybe life wouldn’t be as wonderful without him… It was a delight to catch up with the team at their recent rehearsals where Artistic Director...

Girls Don’t Play Guitars – Liverpool’s Royal Court

5Oct

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Girls Don’t Play Guitars – Liverpool’s Royal Court

Reading the 2019 reviews of this show it was natural that I took my seat at its revival with high expectations. The story is undoubtably inspiring and it feels right at home in this theatre, however, as a stage show this lacked depth for me. With an 80:20 ratio of music to dialogue, albeit good music, it was difficult to feel much emotional pull towards these characters. As characters themselves, I imagine it was difficult to ascertain much difference between them for the actors as their personalities were as similar as their costumes in most parts of the script, noticeably different only by which love interest they had. Nothing can be said of the talent of the cast though. Their skills as musicians were undeniably central to the success of this show’s success; I just wish they were ...

23Aug

By Hannah EsnoufNo Comments

North West

Lost Soul 2 – Liverpool’s Royal Court

Although the title might make some presume this to be a connected sequel to a show they should watch first, they needn’t worry. I was five when the first Lost Soul took to the same stage in 2007 and so there was no chance of me having any accurate grounds for comparison, but, from what I have read, that show was electric with scouse humour, a laugh-a-minute kind of affair and I took those expectations with me into Lost Soul 2. You’re never far away from a laugh in the Royal Court and this show was no different. Straight away it’s adult content and unapologetic farce gives you a flavour of the rest of the evening and that doesn’t let up, I was pleasantly surprised to see. The comedy was well-balanced and well-timed. Though sometimes predictable, it genuinely had people rolling around ...

16May

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

It’s A Wonderful Life – Old Fruit Jar Productions at Liverpool’s Royal Court and St George’s Hall

‘Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings…’ With three acclaimed productions already under their belt, you’d have to say life was looking pretty wonderful for Old Fruit Jar Productions, one of the North-West’s leading independent theatre companies, so it seems rather apt that their fourth production is an enchanting and heart-warming adaptation of It’s A Wonderful Life, inspired by the 1946 Frank Capra film of the same name. For those very few who don’t know the original, it’s Christmas Eve, Bedford Falls and George Bailey, a down-on-his-luck banker, believes life has left him behind. But when his guardian angel appears, George is astounded to witness what life could be like without all of the good deeds he’s done. Maybe life wouldn’t be as wonderful without him… As Alex C...