Brick Up 2 - The Wrath Of Ann Twacky

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Play
Genre: Comedy
Date: February 2 2017
Location: Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool

Brick Up 2 - The Wrath Of Ann Twacky is the long-awaited sequel to Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, a previous and fondly-remembered Liverpool theatre show which had audiences in heaps of laughter every night - and I can tell you that the follow-up achieves the same goal.

In the previous show, the central characters wished to have the Mersey Tunnels bricked up to keep out their "nosy neighbours" from voer the water, i.e. the Wirral. In this show, the plot is in reverse, as it's now the residents from the Wirral and Cheshire who are looking to prevent the Scousers from passing through the tunnel to their side of the River Mersey.

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Let It Be

Image Source: Royal Court Theatre

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Musical
Genre: Musical
Date: October 13 2015
Location: Royal Court Theatre

Although it's always a thrill to see an actor, a group or a show travel the globe to showcase their skills, there's nothing like watching them live in their home town. And that is what we get with the Liverpool performance of Let It Be, a hugely popular show based around the music of The Beatles, which has been held in the likes of Broadway in New York and the West End in London, but has now come home, so to speak, by holding shows in the city where it all began for the Fab Four, Liverpool, England.

Let It Be has no real storyline as such, with the show instead taking the form of a historical tribute to The Beatles. In some respects, it is a show of two halves, with the first half charting the evolution of The Beatles from their beginnings in The Cavern Club to their eventual expansion to America via their performance at Shea Stadium (with screens and videos providing a suitable background for each mini-collection of songs), and with the second part taking more of a concert feel, as the remainder of The Beatles' most famous tunes are performed as one long, singular set.

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Tenth Anniversary Revival of Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Royal Court Theatre

One of Liverpool’s most successful ever plays returns to Royal Court Liverpool ten years after it was first performed!

Dave Kirby and Nicky Allt’s Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels has broken box office records in its previous five outings in the city and is back for the first time since 2011.

Having sold more than 150,000 tickets across the five runs so far, the play has been seen by more people than any other Liverpool comedy. Audiences have been calling for the play’s return of this genuine Liverpool classic.

With the majority of the original cast returning to the show (the original Gerard Gardner, Davy Edge, having retired and been replaced by Paul Duckworth) the gang will be back together for the five week run. Roy Brandon, Eithne Browne, Carl Chase, Suzanne Collins, Adam Keast, Andrew Schofield and Francis Tucker all return to their roles. Bob Eaton will direct again, the set design is by Billy Meall and Howard Gray is back as Musical Director.

Dickie Lewis, Nick Walton, and Gerard “Gelegnite” Gardner are three men who have had enough. Fed up with being looked down on and mocked by the self proclaimed upper class from the Wirral peninsula, they decide to take the law into their own hands. The Kingsway Three will not be tolled!

A brilliant comedy with music which has raced to the top of any “must see” list Brick Up guarantees great night out that will have tears of laughter streaming down your cheeks, whichever side of the river you hail from!

Dave Kirby commented: “Since 2006 me and Nicky have enjoyed much success but everything goes back to Brick Up. Over the past 10 years it’s been watched more than Tranmere Rovers and laughed at more than Esther McVey. To have it back at its spiritual home, the Royal Court for its 10th anniversary with the same cast is gonna be extra special.”

Nicky Allt is also looking forward to the show: "Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels has what every successful theatre production needs: Front Stage to Back Stage - a great bunch of people - who all wanted a successful Liverpool comedy. The fact they succeeded by the length of the Kingsway Tunnel itself says everything. Brick Up is coated in The River Mersey - Its pure Liverpool Bread and Butter!!!"

Kevin Fearon, Chief Executive of Royal Court Liverpool, added: “This play has been so important for the theatre and we thought that we should celebrate the tenth anniversary. With so many people calling for it to return we felt that this was the right time. Just reading the script again has put a smile on my face and I’m looking forward to seeing full houses of happy people.”

As with all Royal Court productions, dinner will be available before the show in the stalls, lovingly prepared by head chef Simon Collard.

Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels runs from Friday January 29 to Saturday February 27 2016. Tickets and information are available from www.royalcourtliverpool.com or on 0151 709 4321.

Night Collar returns to Royal Court

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Royal Court Theatre

The Taxi play is back at the Royal Court!

The original scouse comedy is back home at the Royal Court and it starts this Friday!

Alan Stocks is the man behind the wheel and he is joined by Royal Court favourites Jake Abraham, Eithne Browne, Suzanne Collins, Michael Ledwich and Lenny Wood.

The production will be directed by Bob Eaton.

Since its debut in 1997, Night Collar has played every major theatre in Liverpool and has broken Box Office records in them all!

Written by two ex-cabbies, Night Collar is a play that is packed with jokes and characters that everybody will recognise. It’s night time, the roads are empty and the meter is ticking. A cabbie is cruising the streets looking for the next paying punter to brighten his night and fill up his wallet. But this is Liverpool so he is guaranteed to get more than he bargained for.

It’s not every night that you pick up, amongst others, a prostitute, a naked stag, a drunken tramp and even an Elvis impersonator but they all make an appearance tonight. Each one of them driving home the point that, for a cabbie, life’s not fare.

Tony Furlong and Jimmy Power’s classic scouse comedy has been splitting sides for 20 years and there will be laughs galore throughout the show when it pulls back into the Royal Court.

Alan Stocks is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the cab: “This is such a funny show. It also kind of holds up a mirror up to Liverpool nightlife so anyone who has been out there and seen an episode in a taxi going on, or indeed been caught on Concert Square with people falling all over the place, will be all over it. It’s full of big laughs.”

Night Collar runs in the Royal Court Theatre from Friday May 15 to Saturday June 13. For ticket information, click here.

Royal Court to open Shed this Friday

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Royal Court Theatre

A great new bittersweet comedy will open this Friday at Royal Court Liverpool.

Paul Broughton, Michael Starke and Bob Eaton have written Shed, the show which features two old friends who have known each other since childhood.

Broughton and Starke take the two roles, with Bob Eaton directing. Paul and Michael have known each other since they were on Brookside together in the 1990s and they have both worked extensively with Bob in theatre.

The show is packed with plenty of laughs and great dialogue zipping back and forth but, with some sensitive subjects under discussion, there are some touching moments as well. This is a show that will make the audience laugh, but will tug at the heart-strings too.

The show has been devised and written specifically for the Royal Court, and all three writers have used their own personal experiences and stories from their lives to breathe life into the script. There are twists and surprises throughout and a good night out is guaranteed.

Spring is in the air and the spuds are in the ground. When two blokes want to sit down and have a laugh without being bothered by anyone else, there’s no place better than an allotment shed. And when those two mates have been best buds for more than 50 years, there’s a lot of water has flowed under the bridge, most of it funny but some of it troubled.

It’s just another day in the shed, and the banter flies thick and fast as they talk about the old days, girlfriends and the best way to boil a sprout. But things are never quite how they seem.

Two giants of the Liverpool stage in Paul Broughton and Michael Starke have written and star in this great new bittersweet comedy about friendships, secrets and sheds. Packed with laughs and a few home truths, you’ll be telling all your mates to grab a ticket!

Shed runs in the Royal Court Theatre from Friday April 10-Saturday May 9. For ticket information, click here.

Cast Confirmed For Disco Spectacular!

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Royal Court Theatre

The 2012 smash-hit disco musical Mam! I'm 'Ere! is back this Summer in an exciting co-production between Life in Theatre Productions (The Sunshine Boys, A Life in the Theatre, The Last 5 Years) and The Royal Court Liverpool.

The Royal Court Theatre are pleased to announce the return of the original cast, including Andrew Schofield, Alan Stocks, Paul Duckworth, Keddy Sutton, Eithne Browne, and Rachel Rae. They will be joined by recent Scouse of The Antarctic cast members Helen Carter (also in the original production) and Michael Fletcher. Michael replaces his brother, Stephen Fletcher, who now directs the production.

Another exciting addition to the show are the new Disco Divas, this time played by the brilliant sisters Hayley Hampson and Jamie Hampson (Scouse of The Antarctic and You'll Never Walk Alone). This will be their first time onstage together.

It is also a privilege to welcome a number of brilliantly talented dancers from Rare Studios, Liverpool, a performing arts studio dedicated to the training of students with talent and ability, without the ability to pay. This production marks the performers' professional stage debut. They will be choreographed by Rare's co-founding principal, Lindsay Inglesby.

Mam! I'm 'Ere! also has the blessing of the producers of Mamma Mia!, who have sent Life in Theatre their very best wishes following their recent production at The Empire. Designer Mark Walters returns to the theatre after some time away, most recently appearing as part of the winning team on The Great Interior Design Challenge on BBC2. Simeon Scheuber, the show's original Musical Director, makes his Royal Court debut, and will be joined by Royal Court house band members Alex Smith, Emily Linden and newcomer on drums Laura Williams. ​

Director Stephen Fletcher commented: "Mam! I’m ‘Ere! promises to be a summer spectacular for all the family. I want to try to capture the excitement and anticipation in the people who witnessed the Giant Spectacular last summer- A proper celebration. This production celebrates local talent, giving fun and laughter to its audience, wherever they are from. It makes you forget yourself for a night. I really hope, with live music, dancers, new-look set and a newly-renovated theatre, we can do just that with Mam! I'm 'Ere!"

Tickets are available from £13 and the show is suitable for all ages.

Mam! I'm 'Ere! runs in the Royal Court Theatre from Friday June 26-Saturday August 1. For ticket information, click here.

Tickets now on sale for Let It Be

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Royal Court Theatre

Tickets for the International hit show that celebrates the music of The Beatles are now on sale in their hometown of Liverpool.

Direct from London’s West End, Let It Be will officially re-launch the multi-million pound refurbishment of the Royal Court Theatre and run for 5 ½ weeks from Thursday October 8–Saturday November 14 2015. The dates also coincides with John Lennon’s 75th birthday on Friday October 9, the first year with a switch in focus to celebrate his life and musical contribution.

The smash hit show that established itself as one of the West End’s most popular shows when the production originally opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre in September 2012, where it recouped its initial investment after just 18 weeks before transferring for a year-long run at the Savoy Theatre from January 2013– February 2014. The show has recently returned to the West End for an 8-month run at the Garrick Theatre.

Seen by over 1 million people worldwide, Let It Be continues to delight audiences across the globe, having recently performed to audiences in Germany, Japan, Moscow, and France. Let It Be showcases the music of the world’s most successful rock ‘n’ roll band, in a spectacular concert charting the band’s meteoric rise from their humble beginnings in Liverpool’s Cavern Club, through the height of Beatlemania, to their later studio masterpieces.

The show is packed with over forty of The Beatles’ greatest hits including Twist and Shout, She Loves You and Drive My Car, as well as global mega-hits Yesterday, Hey Jude, Come Together and, of course, Let It Be. Travel back to the magical sixties when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends!

The music defined a generation, captured the hearts and ideals of millions, and now you can relive the memories in the city where it all began as Annerin Productions bring Let It Be to Liverpool.

Jeff Parry from Annerin Productions commented: “I could not have dreamed as a 9-year-old living in Canada, having received my first Beatles album, that I would be producing a show about the band in their hometown 51 years later. Destiny has some strange coincidences.

“Having been a Beatles fan since a young age, I studied the origins of the Beatles and Liverpool. I have visited Liverpool many times, most recently when Let It Be played at the Empire Theatre. I was overwhelmed with the Liverpudlians' show of support and their thanks to me for being part of the creation of the West End show.   To say the least, Let It Be is helping to keep the music of the Beatles alive throughout the world, and I am honoured to be bringing the show back to Liverpool.”

The show will officially launch the completion of a £2.8m refurbishment of the Royal Court. This will give audiences the chance to see the new foyer, box office, circle bar and terrace. There will also be improved access with a lift to all floors.

Kevin Fearon, Chief Executive of Royal Court Liverpool, added: “We announce some 8 or so shows each year, but none has been so exciting or as important for the Royal Court as Let It Be. This autumn, we will complete Phase 2 of our refurbishment works, and I can't think of a better show to mark this with. Our exciting building works have been a key part in attracting Let It Be to play for five weeks in Liverpool, the first time this has happened outside of a capital city. Let It Be marks a step up for Liverpool's Royal Court, and the future looks very exciting.”

Let It Be runs in the Royal Court Theatre from Thursday October 8-Saturday November 14. For ticket information, click here.

You can learn more about Let It Be by clicking here.

Let It Be to relaunch in Liverpool

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Royal Court Theatre

Let It Be, the international celebration of the music of The Beatles which has been a West End and Broadway hit, will come home later this year to mark the official re-launch of the multi-million pound refurbishment of the Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool.

Let It Be will run for 5 ½ weeks from Thursday October 8 to Saturday November 14.

The opening is also set to coincide with John Lennon’s 75th birthday, which falls on Friday October 9.

This smash hit production established itself as one of the West End’s most popular shows when it originally opened at the Prince of Wales Theatre in September 2012, where it recouped its initial investment after just 18 weeks before transferring for a year-long run at the Savoy Theatre from January 2013–February 2014.

Presented by Annerin Productions, the show has recently returned to the West End for an 8 month run at the Garrick Theatre.

Seen by over 1 million people worldwide, Let It Be continues to delight audiences across the globe, having recently performed to audiences in Germany, Japan, Moscow, and France.

Let It Be showcases the music of the world’s most successful rock ‘n’ roll band in a spectacular concert charting the band’s meteoric rise from their humble beginnings in Liverpool’s Cavern Club, through the height of Beatlemania, to their later studio masterpieces.

The show is packed with over forty of The Beatles’ greatest hits including Twist and Shout, She Loves You and Drive My Car, as well as global mega-hits Yesterday, Hey Jude, Come Together and, of course, Let It Be.

Travel back to the magical sixties when all you needed was love, and a little help from your friends!

The music defined a generation, captured the hearts and ideals of millions, and now you can relive the memories in the city where it all began as Annerin Productions bring Let It Be to Liverpool.

Jeff Parry from Annerin Productions commented: “I could not have dreamed as a nine-year-old living in Canada, having received my first Beatles album, that I would be producing a show about the band in their hometown 51 years later; destiny has some strange coincidences.

“Having been a Beatles fan since a young age, I studied the origins of the Beatles and Liverpool, and I have visited Liverpool many times, most recently when Let It Be played at the Empire Theatre.

“I was overwhelmed with the Liverpudlians show of support and their thanks to me for being part of the creation of the West End show.

“To say the least, Let It Be is helping to keep the music of the Beatles alive throughout the world, and I am honoured to be bringing the show back to Liverpool.”

The show will officially launch the completion of a £2.8m refurbishment of the Royal Court.

This will give audiences the chance to see the new foyer, box office, circle bar and terrace.

There will also be improved access with a lift to all floors.

Kevin Fearon, Chief Executive of Royal Court Liverpool, added: “We announce some eight or so shows each year, but none has been so exciting or as important for the Royal Court as Let It Be.

“This autumn, we will complete Phase 2 of our refurbishment works, and I can't think of a better show to mark this with.

“Our exciting building works have been a key part in attracting Let It Be to play for 5 ½ weeks in Liverpool, the first time this has happened outside of a capital city.

“Let It Be marks a step up for Liverpool's Royal Court, and the future looks very exciting.”

Ticket sales to Group Bookers open on Monday March 23 at 10.00, whilst the public sale opens on Monday March 30 at 10.00.

Let It Be runs in the Royal Court Theatre from Thursday October 8-Saturday November 14.

You can learn more about Let It Be by clicking here.