They say if the first
one is a hit; don’t do a second!
That can be said for many sequels both in film and theatre
but I have to say it certainly doesn’t apply to this stage show. The writers (Dave Kirby and Nicky Allt) have spent the last 10 years saying no
to a sequel but in the end what the public demanded they got! The familiar characters returned to the Royal
Court with all the swagger and confidence they left with all those years ago.
The Royal Court Theatre has become the Mecca of scouse
comedy plays over the years with the same ‘rep company’ of actors delivering
high quality shows, full of local jokes and quips, that only people living in
and around the area can associate. That can often limit the audience attraction
but again not in this case as fans continue to flock to see this sequel.
This show centred on Ann Twacky, played by the wonderful Eithne Browne, who time after time,
delivers lines perfectly, each syllable, in every word, tuned to give the
maximum impact. She is able to swap
between posh Wirral to scouse with ease.
She has a great singing voice for the theatre and owns the stage. Eithne had one or two issues with a wig on
stage but that just added to the comic value, as she was finally defeated by
the wig! Ann Twacky’s nemesis is Dickie Lewis, played by the ever popular Andrew Schofield. ‘Drew’ has been a popular actor as far back as
I can remember (Scully being a highlight of my youth). He has a delivery of lines that is rarely
seen in comedy, just a pause before the line gives the audience the
anticipation that this could be great, and he never disappoints. His ‘Bin Laddin’ song, written by him I
believe, was a definite highlight of the show and made me check my own shed
when I got home! Dickie’s gang consisted of Gerard Gardiner, played by Paul Duckworth. This is the second time I had seen Paul at
the Royal Court. He has a great voice
for the theatre and is a perfect partner for ‘Drew’. To finish the trio is Nick Walton (Carl Chase). His deep voice and laugh is instantly
recognisable and narrates part of the story with ease. The ever suffering husband of Ann Twacky is
Dennis (Roy Brandon). However, in this sequel he has become a beer
drinking, gangster imitating, adopted scouser. To finalise the main cast is the talented Suzanne Collins. She plays Maggie or Margaret if you live on
the Wirral. Maggie exchanges the scouse café
for a ‘better’ life on the other side of the Mersey. Suzanne trades a scouse accent for a more affluent
accent you would find with someone with a Cheshire postcode. She has a beautiful singing voice and superbly
plays opposite Gerard Gardiner as the romantic angle in the show.
The supporting cast, lead by the hysterical Liz Card (Francis Tucker, who also plays the
drums in the show), give fantastic performances. Francis looks awkward in a dress but that is
the point of his character, a sex driven Wirral ‘Lady’. His scene behind the café worktop with Dickie
Lewis is hysterical and I’m sure Dickie adds a few lines in just to spice up
the scene!
As soon as I went in to the Theatre I felt part of a family
and the cast continued that feeling, coming out afterwards to talk to the
audience. A superb show that I’m sure
will return and maybe, just maybe, in a couple of years we will be watching
Brick Up 3!
