Event type: Theatre

Lost Soul 2

Dave Kirby (Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, Lost Soul, Council Depot Blues, Reds & Blues) is back at The Court with the smash hit sequel to Lost Soul!

Smigger’s having a mid-life crisis. All he wants to do is roll back the years and dance to 70s soul music with Donna, Terry and Pat. But since the grandkid came along, Donna hasn’t been interested in their usual Sunday nights in town (or much else).

Their daughter hasn’t helped, lumbering them with the baby most weekends while she’s out with the dad. Well, maybe the dad (it’s a one in four chance). Smigger’s had enough, his head’s wrecked and he’s not having it any more.

Smigger, Donna, Terry and Pat will take us from Scottie Road to Pontins Prestatyn to Liverpool’s over-40s Sunday night pub scene for endless laughter set to a 70s soul soundtrack that will have you dancing out of the Royal Court and strutting straight down to Soul Train.

Age advisory 14+ Some strong language

 Cast confirmed: Paul Duckworth, Lindzi Germain, Michael Hawkins, Jennifer Hynes, Cath Rice, Andrew Schofield and Lenny Wood

Written by Dave Kirby
Directed by Bob Eaton
Designed by Jocelyn Meall
Lighting Design by Ian Scott
Sound Design by Kate Harvey

Performance Information 

Stalls tickets are available with a meal (served at your table before the show) for an extra £14. Click here to see our menu. If you are eating with us please arrive at least an hour before the performance.

Tickets are available for the show alone in stalls, circle and balcony.

You can also dine next door in the Courtyard Bar & Kitchen. Their pre-theatre offer is two courses for £18 and three for £22pp. Book a table on their website by clicking here.

Circle and balcony will open at 7.15pm. There are bars in both areas for pre-show and interval drinks. Stalls will be open from 6:15pm.

If you are bringing a large group, every tenth ticket is free. This ticket will be automatically added to your basket on purchase. Meals and building levy must still be paid on your free ticket.

Please note – the bar will close 15 minutes before the advertised start time. £2 from every ticket bought will be donated to The Royal Court Liverpool Trust. For more details go to royalcourttrust.org.

BSL performance is on Tuesday 3 September (interpreter Karl Llorca); Audio described performance is on Wednesday 4 September (describer Anne Hornsby). To book please contact Box Office or email laura@liverpoolsroyalcourt.com

Please contact Box Office to book if you are a wheelchair user.

The Railway Children

Woolton Drama Group is proud to present their next production: ‘The Railway Children’ by E. Nesbit, and by arrangement with Nick Hern books.

Written in 1906, Nesbit’s novel, upon which this play is based, tells the story of siblings Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis as they adapt to a new life in the country after their father mysteriously disappears. Each day they hope he will return on the 9.15am train but instead the railway tracks bring unexpected ventures.

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Woolton Drama Group has been putting on shows, plays and pantomimes in the area for over sixty years.

Part Vampire

Part Vampire is an exhilarating musical comedy that features Phil Jones, the renowned lead singer of the cult Liverpool band “Afraid of Mice”. In this new production, Phil adds a comedic twist to his performance, sharing the stage with his son Ben.

Phil’s character, Jack Moody, is a 70-year-old actor who has spent his entire career playing small roles as an extra in Hammer Horror films. 

One day, he decides to audition for a major role as a vampire in a run-down film studio. However, his plans are thrown off course when a young, striking actor who had previously worked as a body double in the ‘Twilight Series’ also auditions for the same role, causing Jack to face unexpected competition.

As the audition unfolds, something about this eerie setup doesn’t quite add up, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats in suspense.

Part Vampire is a delightful comedy featuring a sexy receptionist named Rebecca, Jack’s pushy mother, and a sinister director named Charles, along with his accomplice Zoltan.

Prepare to be captivated by the fascinating world of “Part Vampire”, a theatrical performance that blends comedy, mystery, and music in a unique and unforgettable way. Don’t miss this extraordinary event, which promises to delight both theatre enthusiasts and comedy lovers with its exceptional blend of humour, suspense, and entertainment. Come and experience an evening filled with laughter, excitement, and surprises that will leave you wanting more! 

Directed by Margaret Connell and written by Kenny O’Connell, this production features captivating music by the brilliant Matt Shaw and Phil Jones supported by an incredibly talented cast.

Don’t miss your chance to witness the magic of Part Vampire.

Cast:

– Phil Jones as Jack Moody
– Ben Jones as Ned Chalmers
– John Purcell as Director
– Stacey Orford as Secretary
– Linzy Boden as Mrs. Moody
– Derek Carey Vernon as Vampire 

Presented by Blue Park Theatre 

Royal Court Stocking Fillers

A show that is fast becoming a Christmas tradition, we are delighted to welcome Stocking Fillers back to the Studio!

Seven brand new ten-minute festive plays to entertain you at the most wonderful time of the year!

A merry mix of comedy and drama, the Stocking Fillers will make you laugh and cry. They might even make you sing and shout. You’ll feel all Christmassy from your head to your mistle-toes.

These short plays have been written by members of the Royal Court’s writing groups and each evening professional actors and directors will bring them to life before your very eyes. With seven different shows to choose from there is something for everyone.

So get yourself down to the Royal Court grotto this Christmas and enjoy the show. You’ll be shouting out for myrrh!

Two Cities… Half The World Away

This is a story about the rivalry between the two great northern cities of Liverpool and Manchester and, the fact that they have so much in common yet… it is often football rivalry that separates them. 

Set in a Police Station during the Europa League tie at Old Trafford in 2016, two young lads, Terry, a Utd fan, and Liam, a Liverpool fan, are stopped on their way to the game and taken into custody for non-payment of fines. 

With the game about to start, desk sergeant Frank (50s), places them into the same cell to save time and energy. Once the game gets underway a story of inter-city rivalry unfolds. We see the two open–up about family life and their own personalities. In a tiny cell with fan rivalry erupting every 5 minutes, Frank wants the pair gone so he can deal with an urgent family matter. 

Seeing a way past a football-fuelled mindset and wanting their fines paid to catch the second–half the lads soon find they have a lot more in common than they ever imagined. 

Presented by Beyond The Line Theatre Company.

 

It’s A Wonderful Life

“Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings…”

It’s Christmas Eve, Bedford Falls.

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…

Inspired by the 1946 Frank Capra film of the same name, this enchanting adaptation breathes new life into the heart-warming magic of the original story.

It’s A Wonderful Life marks Old Fruit Jar Productions’ third visit to Liverpool’s Royal Court after the success of The Incident Room and Twelfth Night.

Contains some distressing themes, but this production is suitable for all ages.

★★★★★ – Liverpool Echo, The Incident Room

★★★★★ – North West End, The Incident Room

★★★★★ – The Broken Spine, The Incident Room

★★★★ ½ – Good News Liverpool, The Incident Room

★★★★ ½ – Arts City Liverpool, The Incident Room

★★★★ – Wirral Globe, The Incident Room

★★★★ – North West End, Twelfth Night

“Proof that Liverpool’s Arts scene is thriving” – Liverpool Echo

“An ensemble piece and everyone shines!” – Wirral Globe

“A promising crew of young actors with exciting careers ahead” – A Young(ish) Perspective

“Old Fruit Jar Productions have pulled out all the stops” North West End

“All of a sudden, theatre in Liverpool is looking very exciting” North West End

“Performances from Old Fruit Jar’s extraordinary young cast all stand up to scrutiny” Sightlines UK

It’s A Wonderful Life will transfer to St George’s Hall (10th – 13th December) following it’s run at Liverpool’s Royal Court due to popular demand!

1984

ROOM 101… BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU… SUPER STATES … THOUGHT POLICE…

The novel which has most influenced the 21st century is brought to the stage in a thrilling new version by Ryan Craig.

On 4th April 1984, Winston Smith, comrade 6079, starts a diary. In a world where every action is painstakingly monitored and controlled, this simple act puts Winston’s life in jeopardy. A clandestine love affair with co-worker Julia further enrages the authorities, but can they truly trust each other? And what of the mysterious O’Brien? Will he help them overthrow the regime, confront them with their most terrifying fears, or worse…?

Shocking and fantastical when first written in 1949, Orwell’s novel has remained one of the most chillingly prescient novels of the last century.

The Rocky Horror Show

Ready to thrill you with fun and naughty moments, Richard O’Brien’s legendary rock ‘n’ roll musical, The Rocky Horror Show comes to Liverpool Playhouse as part of a new world tour.

Having been seen by over 35 million theatregoers, The Rocky Horror Show is the story of two squeaky clean college kids – Brad and his fiancée Janet. When by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a creepy mansion whilst on their way to visit their former college professor, they meet the charismatic Dr Frank’n’Furter. It is an adventure they’ll never forget, filled with fun, frolics, frocks, and frivolity.

Directed by Christopher Luscombe, The Rocky Horror show is the biggest party and features timeless classics, including Sweet Transvestite, Damn it Janet, and of course, the pelvic thrusting show stopping Time Warp.

The Baddies

Based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler

Meet the very worst Baddies in the world! Don’t you dare to come too close to a witch, a troll and an ancient ghost!

The Baddies love being bad. They roar, spook and cast wicked spells to try and scare a girl out of her wits…who will succeed? Or perhaps the girl is braver than they think…

With songs by Joe Stilgoe (Zog and Zog and The Flying Doctors), The Baddies is a wickedly hilarious adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s smash-hit story. A laugh-out-loud riot for all the family.

Shirley Valentine

Willy Russell’s one-woman show, Shirley Valentine, comes home to the Liverpool Everyman as part of our 60th birthday celebrations.

Originally commissioned and staged by the Everyman, the role of Shirley will be played by Liverpool actor Helen Carter in a revival directed by Stephen Fletcher.

Willy Russell is one of the most celebrated and widely produced writers of his generation, with works regularly produced across the globe. Willy has had a long association with the Everyman; his breakthrough as a writer came in 1974 with John Paul George Ringo… & Bert, which transferred to the West End and won numerous awards.

Further stage plays at the Everyman included Breezeblock Park (1975) and Stags and Hens (1978). After huge international success with Blood Brothers and Educating Rita, he returned to the Everyman in 1986, writing the iconic Shirley Valentine.