Royal Court Archives - Page 3 of 4

If This Is Normal – Liverpool’s Royal Court

4May

By Donna M DayNo Comments

North West

If This Is Normal – Liverpool’s Royal Court

If This Is Normal, is a dark comedy drama about coming of age, the first time for everything and what happens when the lines between love and friendship blur. Written by Lucy Danser and directed by Helena Jackson, this highly emotional show takes you on a rollercoaster of highs and lows, making you laugh, cry and get lost in the euphoria and dread of first love, first heartbreak and that one defining moment everyone has where they realise that all too suddenly, they’re all grown up. The play opens with three wooden chairs facing the back of the bare stage with Alex (Aoife Smyth) and Maryam (Zarima McDermott) sitting while Madani (Isambard Rawbone) paces up and down while talking about his love of boxing and fledging career training local teenagers in the sport. More sporty than academic...

23Apr

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Making It – Royal Court Studio

Last night was rather exciting when I took a trip to Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre, as this time I was in their studio, watching their latest production called Making It. Penned by Stephen Fletcher writer of Mam I’m Ere and Catherine Rice a Liverpool based writer and Comedienne with additional material by Andrew Schofield. Known for playing many shows at the Royal Court as well as being the narrator in Blood Brothers back in 1983. The story is about our Bev (Catherine Rice) as she tells us about her acting career. She is currently waiting for her agent to call, to say she has the role in the film but until then she was singing in the local club. Bev opened up about how she had agents who were not quite legitimate. Also, a photographer who took loads of photos of her to be used to said...

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy – Royal Court

8Apr

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy – Royal Court

For Black Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Hue Gets Too Heavy by Ryan Calais Cameron is a powerful, overwhelming and utterly entrancing piece where a group of individuals recall to their past as a way to understand each other and eventually succumb to the help they need and deserve although never being able to ask for. My only warning from Twitter was to take tissues and I pass that on as the topics discussed here are so painfully important and unfortunately not discussed enough in our theatres today. This piece was a privilege to watch but I would also describe it as one of the most essential pieces I have ever watched in my life. The company started their journey with this piece at the New Diorama, which created such a stir and therefore was commissioned for Royal Court. They...

Purple Snowflakes and Tittywanks – Royal Court

4Feb

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Purple Snowflakes and Tittywanks – Royal Court

This a revolutionary piece that follows a young woman from Ireland to London with the suffocating pressures of a nation devout to their beliefs and their religion. How this manifests is in the bodies of young people who cover their sexual frustrations, eating disorders, depression and anxieties. This slightly nonsensical piece is high energy, a thought a minute as she revisits her later years in school with the complication of discovery and in how unlocking knowledge can be just as limiting as you may have felt before. Photo: Luca Truffarelli Written and performed by Sarah Hanly, awarded with the 2019 Pinter Commission and one of Royal Court’s Long Form Writer’s Group- she has written a piece that speaks to a nation in recovery. It is powerful, funny and dark as we uncover the truth ...

30Jan

By Riana HowarthNo Comments

London

The Glow – Royal Court

“You go far back enough, and everything turns to myth” Alistair Mcdowall’s “The Glow” is written with a plethora of colours and flavours, bursting at the seams with ideas about time and the ephemerality of the past. Its central focus is on myth, with a defining character whose presence transcends the stage. Found in an asylum in 1863, a woman is assumed to be a perfect host for an ambitious necromancer but soon things turn awry as the woman’s magical powers come into their own. With an eclectic mix of characters and shifting timelines, it is a joy to watch the complete changes in mood from scene to scene. The plot is anchored by the pivotal character, the woman played by Ria Zmitrowicz, as her character slowly unfurls like she is learning how to exist. Zmitrowicz imbues the character...

18Aug

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Bouncers – Liverpool’s Royal Court

Last night was the opening night of bouncers. Before I get into my review, a massive thank you to the Royal Court theatre Liverpool for accommodating myself as I arrived a little earlier than planned. 5 days to be exact. So, thank you for being legends. As I walked into the theatre there was a love DJ on the stage. Which to me was new and immersive as soon as you walked in along with bouncers walking round the dining area. Upon sitting at my table I got the impression that If someone built a nightclub with theatre seating watching the Merry patrons in the club, this would be what they had in mind. The show was originally penned by John Godber in the 1970s he was also known for writing teachers and up ‘n’ under. The original was also set in Yorkshire; however, this was adapted new versio...

8Jul

By Luke StephensonNo Comments

North West

Ellen & Rigby – Royal Court

I always get excited when I’m reviewing at the Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre because the experience is always second to none. This time was no exception. Ellen & Rigby by Gerry Linford the show synopsis is as follows “Lucky in life, unlucky in love, Ellen has been looking for a man. Now, thanks to the organisational power of the NHS, Joe Rigby has been dropped in her lap! A rock star who nearly made it in 1985, Joe has been living alone for so long that he didn’t realise that he was unhappy so it’s a good job Ellen arrived to let him know. He needs taking in hand (not like that, you dirty ticket) and Ellen is quite the catch. She was Miss Old Swan in 1991 and that kind of beauty doesn’t fade away no matter how many years are heaped on top of it. After 12 months alone, the...

1Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Ellen & Rigby Starts Tomorrow!

Liverpool’s Royal Court is back with a bang with a brand new show from Gerry Linford (Yellow Breck Road, The Menlove Avenue Murder Mystery). Ellen & Rigby is a great new comedy about two lonely people brought together in an unlikely way. Starring Royal Court favourites Lindzi Germain and Andrew Schofield and directed by Stephen Fletcher, the show begins when the odd couple meet at a vaccination centre. Lucky in life, unlucky in love, Ellen has been looking for a man. Now, thanks to the organisational power of the NHS, Joe Rigby has been dropped in her lap! A rock star who nearly made it in 1985, Joe has been living alone for so long that he didn’t realise that he was unhappy so it’s a good job Ellen arrived to let him know. He needs taking in hand (not like that, you dirty tic...

Red Ladder are back with new show Homebaked – The Musical

7Apr

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

Red Ladder are back with new show Homebaked – The Musical

Radical theatre company Red Ladder’s first post lockdown show is Homebaked – The Musical co-produced with Liverpool’s Royal Court. It’s a musical comedy based on Liverpool’s famous co-operative bakery inspired by the real-life group of local residents coming together to save their neighbourhood bakery - and their homes - from demolition. Back in 2012 the people of Anfield faced losing a huge slice of their local community to property developers. Things were looking bleak until a group of like-minded individuals got together to say ‘enough is enough’. They wanted a place for locals to earn a crust so they transformed a crumbling old bakery into Homebaked. What started with a half-baked idea rose and rose until it had spawned a thriving community business with plans to transform the...

The Royal Court Selection Box – Royal Court, Liverpool

18Dec

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

The Royal Court Selection Box – Royal Court, Liverpool

Last night i was in a magical theatre known as The Royal Court Theatre Liverpool. If you haven’t been to the Royal Court, then well where have you been? It’s a must thing to do in Liverpool. Supporting local Liverpool writers, directors and actors the whole 9 yards while indulging in a theatre style dining during experience whilst the show that’s being performed for you. Understandably there’s been a lack of anything this year especially theatre, so it was nice to be in a room where magic is happening. The show started with a montage of news clips, empty streets and old Royal Court show memories. It was a sad yet lovely way to begin the show. From then on it was non - stop laughter and entertainment. The cast walked on portraying their new day jobs ranging from Uber Eats to B&Q. The...