The Rise and Fall of The Hamburger Queen

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Show
Genre: Comedy
Date: November 4 2016
Location: Unity Theatre, Liverpool, England

If you are unfamiliar with the term "Hamburger Queen", you may wonder what the title means. Is it a new mascot for a fast food chain? Is it a best-selling Halloween costume at Asda George? Is it a secret character in a Mario Kart videogame? In reality, Hamburger Queen is a unique competition held annually in London; however, for the purpose of this article, Hamburger Queen is of greater relevance in providing the backdrop for Ashleigh Owen to tell a very interesting, and very funny, first-person account of her life story so far.

A local Liverpool girl whose carefree ways and innocent naivety are topped only by an outspoken love/hate relationship with her mother and an outrageous sense of humour, Ashleigh Owen uses her conversational personality, musical numbers, eye-catching props, plenty of memorable one-liners and, most importantly, the art of dance - or, as Ashleigh puts it, DANNNCE! - to explain how, inspired by aspects of her late father's own career, she decides to embark on a new path, one which in her mind could make her the next great British dance sensation.

Met with negativity and cynicism by her mother, Ashleigh nevertheless uses every opportunity that she can to further her skills and, soon, she takes a major gamble towards trying to make her dream come true by moving to London. After an initial and lengthy period of inactivity, a chance encounter with an apparently-charming talent agent opens one door ajar to the point that Ashleigh has the opportunity to kick it wide open. Yes, this is the aforementioned Hamburger Queen competition, and it's her performance on that stage and its fall-out which shape the remainder of the show, and provide Ashleigh with her first real experience in the world of DANNNCE!

As this is a one-woman show (with only very fleeting appearances by an assistant, whose quick cameos are handled in hilarious fashion by Ashleigh), the pressure is on the star performer to keep the audience engaged throughout, especially in such an intimate environment - and she does so spectacularly. Rarely are there moments when at least one of the spectators is not laughing, either from a clever joke or a hammy facial expression or an unpredictable dance move, and Ashleigh's timing, delivery and general confidence are all spot-on throughout the evening. It's equally admirable to see how Ashleigh, a real natural in a theatre setting, is able to both perform and essentially manage the show from the stage; after all, in a venue where the audience are so close to the stage, meaning that every single movement and stage direction is picked up on, it's astonishing that Owen is able to remember the large variety of lines and back-and-forth chatter between "characters" (Ashleigh impersonates family members and her agent Beverly, rather than there being other performers acting as extras in these roles) whilst also being able to control everything else that is happening on the stage and on the projected screen.

While Ashleigh uses comedy to showcase her dance moves, and at various points we are treated to some very impressive vocal renditions of completely original songs, the strength of the show really does lie in its humour. The writing of the show, put together by Ashleigh herself and Paul Burke, ensures that there's always something to laugh at, even during scenes when Ashleigh reveals some of the more challenging experiences of her life and career so far. Not afraid to poke fun at herself through some deliberately ironic statements, Ashleigh is also a top-notch ad-libber, throwing in some unexpected one-liners that help to make an already-humorous situation even funnier. And this extends to audience interaction or, more rather, Ashleigh - how should I put it - "persuading" members of the audience to get involved in a way that they could have never imagined when they entered the theatre at the beginning of the evening. The writing is further proven to be witty and intelligent by the use of popular songs and television theme tunes at points which are both completely logical, given what is happening on the stage, and hilarious, especially in cases where the content becomes a little risqué.

This show is a part of Unity Theatre's Homotopia showcase, with there having been a preview of the main show during Homotopia 2015. During such festivals, there is a danger that certain shows can be easily forgotten, given the wide variety of performers and stories that one would see. However, it's hard to imagine that anyone who attended this show will forget their experience: there are tons of jokes which the audience could take away and repeat to their friends, whilst some of the situations (especially those involving props) must be seen to be believed, and although the humour takes centre stage (no pun intended), even the dance moves and singing are of a high standard, too.

In line with the theme of the show itself, The Rise and Fall of The Hamburger Queen is the first major theatre role for Ashleigh Owen - but judging by this production, her claim to fame of being the Hamburger Queen, and the way in which she has used her experience to tell a first-person story through comedy, really does appear to be the start of a special journey for her. If you're planning to attend Homotopia events, this is one show that you should see but, even if you previously wouldn't have an interest in viewing any shows during the Homotopia festival, I strongly recommend that you find a way to see The Rise and Fall of The Hamburger Queen; it is, as Ashleigh herself would say, the equivalent of a packet of Prawn Cocktail-flavoured Walkers Sensations within a group of Ready Salted packs.

Overall Rating: 8.5/10 - Excellent

The Rise and Fall of The Hamburger Queen - A Preview

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Through comedic characterisations, dazzling dance routines, and a show-stopping voice (obviously, she can do it all) taking you on a journey through her life: from rags to riches, from Liverpool to London, from Nabzys to Nandos, Ashleigh Owen announces The Rise and Fall of The Hamburger Queen, a brand new one-woman comedy show which makes its debut at The Unity Theatre as part of Homotopia Festival from Thursday November 3-5. You are invited to join her, so bring along your funny bones, your dancing shoes ... and your inhalers.

The Rise and Fall of The Hamburger Queen is a story that may seem like it treads a familiar path. A one-woman show, a performer struggling to make it in the harsh world of showbiz, life lessons, colourful characters, and the most graphic musical number about childbirth you’re likely to find anywhere.

Building on the success of last year’s Scratch and See performance, Homotopia Festival are now bringing you the full shebang. The brainchild of Ashleigh Owen and Paul Burke, the show tells Ashleigh’s real-life journey in trying to make it as a performer and the struggles along the way (the term ‘real-life’ is one to be taken with a huge pinch of salt!).

Ashleigh has expanded upon her solo award-winning cabaret piece “A Fat Girl's History of Dance”, which won her the crown at Scottee & Amy Lamés' acclaimed talent competition/beauty pageant for plus size people: “Hamburger Queen”.

It’s a one-woman show unlike any other. It's a one-woman parody, with original musical numbers, outlandish characters, several dance routines, a killer script, and did we mention the childbirth bit!? (Sorry Mum).

This show explores being an outsider; building on the experiences and the challenges competing for work in commercial theatre brings through their obsession with size, age and ‘beauty’.

But don’t worry too much about the serious stuff, you'll be laughing and tapping your feet too much to notice. You might even learn something..... About yourself!

Ashleigh’s professional performances have included Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the International Shakespeare Festival in Gdansk, Poland. In 2011, Ashleigh set up her own theatre company 'Catfish Theatre' with a fellow graduate from her University (London Met). Their first production was an adaptation of Eugene Ionescco’s The Bald Prima Donna. Ashleigh played Mrs Smith, which was a lead role, and also directed the show. It was well-received with over nine performances, including the Cockpit Theatre in London. This was followed by a Liverpool performance at the Lantern Theatre. Ashleigh looked to expand upon her solo comedy and cabaret work and applied to the much-lauded Hamburger Queen Competition, which was a highlight of London’s alternative live art and cabaret scene. Ashleigh went on to win the competition: £600 prize money, and a slot to perform the winning piece at Bestival. Since 2013, Ashleigh has been collaborating with writer Paul Burke on creating a one-woman show inspired by Ashleigh’s real-life experiences of leaving Liverpool to become a performer in London and the turbulent world of auditions. The ups and downs became a quasi-autobiographical, comedy cabaret show featuring dance, physical theatre and themes that Ashleigh identifies with.

The Rise and Fall of The Hamburger Queen runs in the Unity Theatre until Saturday November 5. For ticket information, click here.

You can learn more about Ashleigh Owen by clicking here.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show: Time Warps, Lab Coats and Thongs

Image Source: Ents 24

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

The Rocky Horror Picture Show is back at Liverpool Empire Theatre. Fans of Rocky Horror will know exactly what to expect, but newcomers may soon realise that the term "variety show" is very vague when describing Rocky Horror. There's a bundle of fun and unusual dancing to be had, along with some unforgettable sights amongst the audience themselves. To find out a little more, we spoke to Steve Punt and Paul Cattermole, both of whom have key roles in the latest production of Rocky Horror, and we discussed the story of the show, its most notable tunes, and of course thongs and fishnet stockings ...

First of all, explain what The Rocky Horror Picture Show is all about.

Steve: "That's a very good question. It's about a couple whose car broke down and who go for help, and find that the place where they've gone for help is full of crazy people who turn out to be aliens who are busy building a human in a tank."

Paul: "It's awesome!"

Steve: "It's a very strange, almost B-movie plot, with a lot of songs and a lot of fun and costumes and silliness."

Tell us about your different characters in the show?

Paul: "Well, I play Eddie and Dr Scott. Eddie is a Gollum created by Frank (the lead character), he's sort of a crazy rock 'n' roll star. Dr. Scott is a scientist who is pretending not to be German; it's set in a village in America called Denton. Hopefully this makes sense! (Laughs)"

Steve: "I play the Narrator myself. The story is pretty surreal and odd, but it makes a lot more sense when you hear the songs."

How did you get involved in this production?

Steve: "I was personally asked if I'd be interested in doing the show; my background is in stand-up comedy. And the Narrator role that I play talks directly to the audience, and is responsible for taking the audience through the story, which as I've said is quite weird (laughs). So, I think the idea was that I would do the part but also be able to react to the audience a bit and allow them to join in, which they sometimes do. So, yeah, I actually was asked to do it."

Had you previously seen Rocky Horror before joining the cast?

Steve: "There was a screen filming of a live show in the West End at the Playhouse, so I saw the show then and it was awesome. I actually saw the film as a teenager, and I'd only ever seen the stage show once; I saw a production of it in the mid-90s with Tony Head, "Gold-Blend Man" (laughs), as Frank and it was great. But I think the stage version has slightly evolved over the years; certainly the way that the audience join in has been building every time that it's toured, and it's getting bigger and bigger each time."

What are the key songs and dances that audiences should look out for?

Steve: "Well, there is the classic floor-filler The Time Warp, that's the main song that people will dance to. As for other songs that have escaped from the show ... there's Sweet Transvestite, there's the floor-show sequence at the end. It's funny because some of my friends came to see the show earlier this year, and they all said that they knew The Time Warp, but that they'd forgotten how you remember every song in the show when you hear it. There's a song called There's A Light, which is one of those songs where as soon as you hear it, you think "Oh, it's this one!" The show is full of those moments, like "Oh, it's this one!" "Oh, it's that one!" And there's Hot Patootie which Paul sings at the end of the first half. The music is rock 'n' roll; it's straight-forward, late 50s/early 60s almost pre-Beatles pop, but the story was written in the early 70s by Richard O'Brien, so it's a mix of the two things. When you look at the story, you think "No, the 60s have definitely happened!" (Laughs) It is the timeless music of the early rock 'n' roll era."

Are you looking forward to performing in front of a Liverpool crowd?

Paul: "Oh yeah, massively!"

Steve: "We did a week at the Empire in February which was great, and that's why we're heading back there. It's always nice to go back with a poster saying "By public demand" where it actually is! So, we're really looking forward to it."

What can the audience expect if they are seeing Rocky Horror for the first time?

Steve: "Well, they can expect some of the audience to be dressed up in a series of outfits that will make no sense at all until you see the show! They can expect a lot of singing, dancing, silliness, fun, ray-guns, mad scientists, and strange Frankenstein creatures with half a brain jumping out of fridges! (Laughs) That's what they can expect! It's the kind of show that pulls you in, and it makes you get engaged. It's not the kind of musical theatre show or theatre show of any kind where you can sit back and watch from a distance; it really pulls you in. And people will dance: be advised! (Laughs) At some point, you will be up and dancing, I guarantee you that."

Finally, you mentioned the unusual costumes that the audience will wear. What is the strangest thing that you've seen a theatregoer wear when seeing this show?

Steve: "Ooh! I've said this a few times, but in Nottingham, it had just gone below 0 degrees, it was sleeting, and I saw a guy in a thong with tights and heels, and I couldn't believe it. I couldn't believe how he was bearing the elements! There's a choice really: you either get men in fishnets and stiletos who've come as Frank, you get gothy women who have come as Magenta, you get people in lab coats, but my favourite is when people come as Rocky, because Rocky wears nothing except a pair of leopard-skin Speedos, so you really want to come and see the show in the summer if you're gonna come as Rocky, or bring a nice thick coat! (Laughs)"

The Rocky Horror Picture Show runs in the Liverpool Empire Theatre until Saturday October 22. For ticket information, click here.

You can learn more about The Rocky Horror Picture Show by clicking here.

Catherine Tate revives hilarious characters for live UK tour at the Empire in November

Image Source:
The Catherine Tate Show - Live

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

The critically-acclaimed, award-winning comedian and actor Catherine Tate will take 'The Catherine Tate Show - Live' across the country this autumn, with a 21-date UK tour starting on November 1.

The Catherine Tate Show – Live is at the Liverpool Empire on November 22 2016; tickets are now on sale for what promises to be a brilliant night of comedy.

In sketches that have never been seen before, the tour will unite some of Catherine's best-known characters from her hugely successful BBC series 'The Catherine Tate Show'. The cast will include 'Nan' Taylor; Irish nurse Bernie; Geordie Georgie; Essex girl Sam; and the return of a certain argumentative teenager ...

Nan said: "She's going on tour, is she? What a load of old s**t."

To book tickets, visit http://www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-catherine-tate-show-live/liverpool-empire/.

Avenue Q: A preview of the puppet extravaganza

Paul Jomain
(Image Source: Avenue Q)

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Avenue Q hits the Liverpool Empire on Monday February 22. On the surface, it seems like your typical family-friendly puppet show, but as Paul Jomain, puppet designer for the show, explains in this exclusive interview, Avenue Q is far more unique and a very different production than the puppet shows that your mum and dad might remember ...

First of all, tell us about Avenue Q.

Basically, it's a parody of Sesame Street, and it takes things one step further. You've got the characters who grow up, whereas in Sesame Street a lot of the characters are quite youthful, so this show turns it on its head. It shows you what the characters would be like when they've grown up, gone to university and gone out on the jobs market. There's a mixture of relationships, careers, sexuality and stuff, so it takes things one step further (than Sesame Street).

What is your role with Avenue Q, and what was your background prior to Avenue Q?

Well, I used to look after the puppets in the show when it was in the West End, which is going back ten years now. Then, I took over building puppet characters for the UK West End Macintosh show and the UK tours, so I trained with a Muppet builder; I worked at the Jim Henson company, which was in Camden Town. That was where I learned how to make puppets. So now I deal with the maintenance of the puppets. I've got about 5 different characters in the show, but there are about 35 puppets that you don't see at once (due to costume changes), so we've got quite a lot of characters backstage that are looked after, and actors who are coming on and off with a new puppet after a costume change for the next scene.

How have you found your time working on the Avenue Q team?

It's very enjoyable. It's a bit of a bizarre job; if someone says to you "What do you do for a living?", saying that I work with puppets is very interesting. I've had other jobs involving puppets, for example working on the Monkey for PG Tips. When you go out and you find materials for a character, it's funny that you have no idea who you've got in your bag; you might have a character that becomes quite famous as the Monkey has done. But I really like my job.

How has Avenue Q grown over the years, and how do you see it growing in future?

Well, it's certainly expanded all over the world. We've got so many different production companies that are doing the show. It's so accessible as well, even if it's to a different culture or to a different country, because you can do quite a lot with a puppet character than you can't do with an actor, for example with dialogue. And we sometimes look at some rather racy subject matters, which I think softens the edge on topics that people maybe don't want to talk about, which I think is a good thing. But hopefully the show will just progress and progress, and there'll be more countries around the world doing it because it's such a great show.

It's certainly very uplifting, and I'm 44 myself, so I'm of the generation that used to watch The Muppets Show. But I've noticed when I've worked with clients, or whoever is my workshop, that when I show them puppets, you can't fail to get somebody's face to light up. Sometimes the most hardened people that you meet, including very business-like people, you can actually see them regressing in their faces; they almost turn into children.

Finally, what can the Liverpool audience expect from Avenue Q?

I think they're gonna have a lot of fun. I'm sure there'll be a lot of people there who will have already seen the show before, but it's quite funny seeing new punters that go in to see the show. There was one time where a footballer came, and I can't remember his name, but there were hardly any seats left in the theatre, so the staff put them in one of the boxes at the side of the stage. Now, they hadn't seen the show, so we had great fun watching their body language as they were watching the show. A couple of times, they turned around in laughter and said "Oh my goodness, you can't do that with puppets!" But it's a great laugh; the Liverpool audience will enjoy it, they really will.

Avenue Q plays the Liverpool Empire from Monday February 22 to Saturday February 27. To book your tickets, click here.

For more information about Avenue Q, visit http://avenuequk.com/.

Dirty Dusting

Image Source: Dirty Dusting

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Format: Play
Genre: Comedy
Date: October 14 2015
Location: Epstein Theatre, Liverpool, England

When one sees the name "Dirty Dusting" for a theatre production, one's mind immediately wanders to Dirty Dancing and may consider how the two are related, whether it be the plot, the characters etc. As it turns out, though, there is no connection; Dirty Dusting means something very different.

Indeed, Dirty Dusting tells the story of three cleaners working in a factory: Elsie (Crissy Rock), Gladys (Leah Bell) and Olive (Dolores Porretta), who spend their evenings cleaning up the mess left behind by the employees. The cleaners are middle-aged and not exactly satisfied in their roles, yet they all realise that they have no other option at this point. However, things change when a message left behind by a bossy, rude manager (Lee Brannigan) implies that a new team of cleaners will be brought in, leaving the long-time staff to face termination.

As the three ladies consider their options, a chance phone call which mistakes the company office for an adult phone line gives them the idea to launch their own after-hours sex chat-up lines, based from the very office that they are cleaning. Their theory is that nobody will know that it is them nor that it is being based from the main office, because they are using alternative names and receiving calls on a bounce-back from unused phones in an upstairs part of the building, and if they make a good amount of money over that weekend, it will see them over in the time after they are forced to finish their cleaning roles.

Cue a large amount of sexual innuendo via the conversations held over the phone lines, and via the outfits and props being used by the ladies to motivate them when answering the calls. Mixed in with these are plenty of one-liners which keep the momentum going in each scene (the production as a whole is divided into four main parts, two pre-intermission and two post-intermission), and the fairly swift pace ensures that if you don't find one joke very funny, it won't take long to wait for another one to tickle your funny bone instead.

As for the climax? Well, let's just say that what seems like the impossible suddenly becomes possible, and I should also point out that you will want to stick around until the very end; there are one or two moments at the conclusion which may be something of a surprise.

Although Crissy Rock is the biggest name involved and delivers a suitable amount of laughs, it is Leah Bell who steals the show with a deliberately over-the-top technique to answering the phone calls, and what turns out to be a secretly raunchy personality when disclosing how her phone line experiences have suddenly improved her own sex life with equally middle-aged husband Billy (who we don't see). Dolores Porretta also delivers some laughs, albeit less regularly, and whilst Lee Brannigan comes across as unfunny if not too serious and trying too hard to act at the beginning, by the end you would not recognise his character, such are the sudden changes that we see in his personality towards the end.

Unquestionably, whether you enjoy Dirty Dusting or not depends on your personal tastes and your sense of humour. If sexual innuendo and somewhat adult-orientated visuals are not your thing, then you won't enjoy this show. If, on the other hand, you're more accepting of such elements, then you will probably get a real kick out of Dirty Dusting. To paraphrase a line from the aforementioned Dirty Dancing, you may not have the time of your life watching Dirty Dusting, but if it meets your sense of humour, then you will definitely have a good time.

Overall Rating: 7.5/10 - Good

Bunty The Bouncer heading back to Liverpool

Image Source: www.chrisbirchall.com

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: The Epstein Theatre

She's mean, she's tough and she's dog rough!

Liverpool comedy actress Lynn Fitzgerald is returning to Liverpool in one of her favourite one-woman roles.

Bunty The Bouncer is back on the Epstein Theatre stage where it all began over 20 years ago, so you better watch yourself.

Set in a Liverpool nightclub, the comedy tells the story of the toughest, meanest and probably the only female bouncer in town.

It’s single mother Bunty's last night on the door before she jets off on holiday to Butlins, Pwllheli with her daughter and starts a new career as a Beautician. As well as playing Bunty, Lynne plays nine other characters including The Scouse Tart, A Dippy Bride on a Hen Night, A Drug Dealer, Maria the Kebab Assistant and the Drag Artist Shona Snatch. Burn your fluffy bras and leave your hot pants at home - it's smart dress only. And, if you're wearing jeans or trainers, you're not getting past Bunty - at least, not without a very vigorous body search.

Written over twenty years ago by Marc Gee, best known for scripting cult film Al’s Lads which starred Mark Warren, the play is every bit as hilarious as it was twenty years ago, and still has audiences rolling in their seats thanks to its line-up of unforgettable, outrageous characters.

The show went on to to be a huge hit at the Edinburgh Festival and Lynne was also nominated for a Liverpool Echo Comedy Award.

Lynne Fitzgerald s commented: “I am absolutely thrilled to be bringing Bunty back to the Epstein Theatre stage, as the play was first performed there over twenty years ago when it was the Neptune, and thanks to that performance, I went on to sell out shows at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh, do a tour of the Northwest and went on to win a best actress award. I always felt that the Epstein space is Bunty’s real home and, as they say, there is no place like home.”

The play is directed by Saul Murphy¸ probably best known for directing The Circus on Lime Street. Look sharp and call the box office now to book your tickets, cos if your names not down you’re NOT coming in!

For more information, visit www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk.

Treat yourself to an evening of pure theatrical Viagra!

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: The Epstein Theatre

Hit comedy Dirty Dusting shines on the Epstein stage

After a sellout UK tour in 2014, the smash hit show Dirty Dusting returns to the stage this year and comes to Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre this October for a strictly limited run.  The play is written by the same team that brought you the hugely popular Waiting For Gateaux, which ran at the theatre earlier this year.

Dirty Dusting stars TV actress and comedian Crissy Rock (Benidorm and I’m A Celebrity), Leah Bell (actress and comedian), Dolores Porretta (Stage and TV actress) and introducing Lee Brannigan.

Gladys, Elsie and Olive are three cleaning ladies who are about to be ‘put out to pasture’ by their overzealous office manager Dave. Feeling they have little chance of gaining employment elsewhere, the ladies have to find a way to make ends meet.

A chance wrong number requiring a Sex Chat Line rings into the office and gives them a great idea… “Why not run a Sex Chat Line?” After all, their age and appearance won’t matter on the telephone and providing they can keep this a secret from their boss, they could be on to a real winner.

Needless to say… things don’t go entirely according to plan.

Dirty Dusting is a heart-warming, laugh-out-loud, feel good comedy that will have you rolling in the aisles and smiling every time you answer the phone.

North East based writers Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood have written eleven successful plays including Dirty Dusting and the popular Waiting For Gateaux, which ran at the theatre earlier this year. The play is also directed by Leah Bell.

Get your glad rags on and your feather dusters at the ready and pick up your sparkling telephone to book your tickets now.

Dirty Dusting runs at the Epstein Theatre from Monday October 12-Thursday October 15. You can book tickets by clicking here.

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.

St Helens gets a new local as Regal Entertainments presents The Ale House

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

St Helens has got a brand new local as The Ale House opens its doors at the Theatre Royal this October.

This hilariously rowdy comedy from the writers of Night Collar is brought to audiences by Regal Entertainments from Tuesday October 6 to Saturday October 10.

Every local has its regulars and those who prop up the bar at the Ale House will have audiences laughing in the aisles, or rather their bar stools, as the events unfold at this tavern.

Featuring a stellar cast with some of the region’s finest talent including Lindzi Germain (Sex and the Suburbs and Hitchhikers Guide to Fazakerley) as the brassy landlady who takes no messing, George Wilson (Grange Hill and Brookside) as Kick Off, Philip Olivier (Brookside and Benidorm) as Yogi and Jake Abrahams (Twopence to Cross the Mersey and Council Depot Blues) as Trevor.

After directing the smash-hit sell out show Rita, Sue and Bob Too earlier this year, Theatre Royal favourite Sylvie Gatrill returns to direct the production.

There will be raucous laughs from the first pint pulled, from the WWII pensioner still recovering from shell shock, to the not-so-holy priest on a mission to find who desecrated his garden, to the landlady eyeing up one of the customers.

One wrong move and you’re barred, although that won’t stop the visitors to this watering hole causing all kinds of drunk and disorderly mayhem before the barrels are empty!

Chantelle Nolan, theatre manager, commented: “I am thrilled to be bringing The Ale House to the Theatre Royal, as soon as I read the script I knew our audiences would love it. We have a fantastic cast in the production and I am excited to be welcoming Sylvie back to direct the show. After the huge success we have seen with Rita, Sue and Bob Too and The Last of the Red Hot Lovers this is the perfect production to continue Regal Entertainments long line of hilarious comedies and I am certain that audiences of St Helens will have a barrel of laughs.”

Be sure to catch it before ‘last orders’!

For more information, visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Hilarity ensues as The 39 Steps comes to St Helens Theatre Royal next week

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

Theatre company also announce workshop opportunity

Four actors and fifty characters in 100 hilarious minutes as Northern Comedy Theatre presents this very British, laugh-out loud, Olivier Award-winning comedy The 39 Steps based on the classic Hitchcock film. Murder has never been this funny. Suitable for all ages and coming exclusively to St Helens Theatre Royal on Monday July 27 and Tuesday July 28.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four of St Helens’ finest born and bred talent, all of whom are no strangers to performing on the Theatre Royal Stage including Theatre Royal’s very own workshop-trained Benjamin Engelen who starred in Regal Entertainments 2013’s smash hit production of Bouncers: The Remix and in Liverpool Empire’s 2014 Christmas panto Aladdin.

Starring alongside Benjamin is Harry Moore who audiences will recognise from Sky 1’s Little Crackers as well as countless Theatre Royal shows including 2013’s Peter Pan.

Multi-talented actress, dancer and opera singer Kathryn Chambers (Alan Ayckbourn’s Seasons Greetings) will show off her skills as she portrays the three different love interests throughout the show.

The object of Kathryn’s affections will be aimed towards Tom Platt (Cabaret, St Helens Theatre Royal’s production of Ciggie Run, West End production of The Play That Goes Wrong and UK Tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong) who leads the cast as Richard Hannay and also co-produces the show.

Follow the incredible adventures of the handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

Northern Comedy Theatre are also delighted to announce an exciting opportunity for 13-16 year olds to take part in a workshop from theatre professionals on Tuesday July 28. Budding young thespians will receive first-hand experience in comedy, improvisation, physicality and characterisation in a fun environment. The workshop costs £20, which also includes a ticket to The 39 Steps on either Monday July 27 or Tuesday July 28.

To book a place on the workshop, email your name, age and contact number to 39stepsworkshop@gmail.com.

For more information, visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Four St Helens Stars ‘Step’ Back On To Theatre Royal Stage

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: St Helens Theatre Royal

Northern Comedy Theatre presents a local production of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps which has been brilliantly and hilariously recreated for the stage.

The smash hit Olivier Award Winning Comedy comes to St Helens Theatre Royal for three performances on Monday July 27 and Tuesday July 28.

This wonderfully inventive and gripping comedy thriller features four of St Helens’ finest born and bred talent, all of whom are no strangers to performing on the Theatre Royal Stage, including Theatre Royal’s very own workshop-trained Benjamin Engelen who starred in Regal Entertainments 2013’s smash hit production of Bouncers: The Remix and in Liverpool Empire’s 2014 Christmas panto Aladdin.

Starring alongside Benjamin is Harry Moore, who audiences will recognise from Sky 1’s Little Crackers as well as countless Theatre Royal shows including 2013’s Peter Pan.

Multi-talented actress, dancer and opera Singer Kathryn Chambers (Alan Ayckbourn’s Seasons Greetings) will show off her skills as she portrays the three different love interests throughout the show.

The object of Kathryn’s affections will be aimed towards Tom Platt (Cabaret, St Helens Theatre Royal’s production of Ciggie Run, West End production of The Play That Goes Wrong and UK Tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong) who leads the cast as Richard Hannay and also co-produces the show.

Follow the incredible adventures of the handsome hero Richard Hannay, complete with stiff-upper-lip, British gung-ho and pencil moustache as he encounters dastardly murders, double-crossing secret agents, and, of course, devastatingly beautiful women.

The four fearless actors play an incredible 50 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action in a show that is fun for the whole family.

It would be criminal to miss this witty and clever crime-caper, so book your tickets before they all disappear!

For more information, visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Casting announced for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

The Ambassador Theatre Group (Jersey Boys, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, West Side Story) and Jerry Mitchell Productions are delighted to announce full casting for the national tour of the critically-acclaimed Best New Musical of 2014, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, which opens at the New Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham on Tuesday May 5.

From Tuesday May 5 to Saturday August 8, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels will star Michael Praed as Lawrence, Noel Sullivan as Freddy, Carley Stenson as Christine and Mark Benton as Andre. They are joined by Geraldine Fitzgerald as Muriel. The rest of the company includes Emma Caffrey; Andy Conaghan; Phoebe Coupe; Soophia Faroughi; Jonny Godbold; Orla Gormley; Patrick Harper; Justin Lee-Jones; Jordan Livesey; Lisa Mathieson; Andy Rees; Freya Rowley; Regan Shepherd; Kevin Stephen-Jones; Katie Warsop and Jenny Wickham.

Direct from London’s West End, where it ran for a year to rave reviews, packed houses and was also nominated for the Olivier Award for Best Choreography, the hit musical Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is based on one of the funniest films of all time, the legendary 1988 film Dirty Rotten Scoundrels starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin.

Prepare to be transported to the luxurious lap of the French Riviera, where the decadent world of sophisticated conman Lawrence Jameson is set to come crashing down with the arrival of the larger-than-life Freddy Benson, a conman of an entirely different order.

Soon realising that the town ain’t big enough for the both of them, the two find themselves going head-to-head in the con of their lives, pulling out all of the stops in a bid for the affections of millionaire soap heiress Christine Colgate. Little do they know what they’ve let themselves in for.

Michael Praed (Lawrence) is best known for his TV roles including ‘Robin Hood’ in “Robin of Sherwood”, ‘Prince Michael’ in “Dynasty” and ‘Phileas Fogg’ in “The Secret Adventures of Jules Verne.” On stage, his credits include ‘Captain Von Trapp’ in the national tour of “The Sound of Music”; ‘Tony’ in “Copacabana”; ‘Alex’ in “Aspects of Love” and ‘Sir Robert Chiltern’ in the national tour of “An Ideal Husband”.

Noel Sullivan (Freddy) is best known as a member of the British pop group Hear'Say. His theatre credits include ‘Drew’ in the national tour of “Rock of Ages”; ‘Tick’ in the “Priscilla Queen of the Desert”; and ‘Galileo’ in “We Will Rock You.” His TV appearances include a guest appearance in “Gavin and Stacey”.

Carley Stenson (Christine) is best known to TV audiences for her long-running role as ‘Steph’ in “Hollyoaks”. Her recent theatre credits include ‘Lady of the Lake’ in “Spamalot” at the Playhouse Theatre; ‘Princess Fiona’ in “Shrek” at the Theatre Royal; and ‘Elle Woods’ in “Legally Blonde the Musical” at the Savoy Theatre.

Mark Benton (Andre) is known to millions for playing maths teacher ‘Daniel Chalk’ in “Waterloo Road”. He has had a prolific TV career with roles in “Kavanagh QC”, “Ballykissangel”, “Silent Witness”, “Doctor Who”, “Murphy’s Law”, “Holby City”, “Hustle” and “Northern Lights”. In 2013, he was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. His stage credits include ‘Henry Horatio Hobson’ in “Hobson’s Choice” at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, ‘Edna Turnblad’ in the UK tour of “Hairspray”, and ‘Mr. Perks' in the “Railway Children” at Waterloo Station. His film credits include: Mike Leigh’s “Career Girls”, Anthony Minghella’s “Breaking and Entering” and Terry Gilliam’s “The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus”.

Geraldine Fitzgerald (Muriel) has many musical theatre credits including ‘Tanya’ in “Mamma Mia!”, both in the West End and on tour internationally; and ‘Maggie Jones’ in “42nd Street” and ‘Tessie Tura’ in “Gypsy”, both at Leicester Curve. Her other credits include “The Lady in the Van” in the West End and “Absolute Hell” at the National Theatre.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is directed and choreographed by the Tony Award-winning Jerry Mitchell in his debut production for Jerry Mitchell Productions. Recently nominated for an Olivier Award for Best Choreography for Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Jerry’s many other award-winning credits include the direction and choreography for Kinky Boots, currently Broadway’s biggest Tony Award winning hit and due to open in London’s West End this Summer; Legally Blonde; and Hairspray. Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has music and lyrics by Drama Desk Award winner David Yazbek (Late Night with David Letterman, The Full Monty) and a book by the Golden Globe and Emmy-Award winning Jeffrey Lane (Mad About You).

Jerry Mitchell Productions is a partnership between the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG) and Tony Award winner Jerry Mitchell. Jerry Mitchell Productions will work to develop, create and produce new productions, focussing on a wide range of projects from new commissions to fresh, innovative versions of classic pieces for ATG Theatres in London, New York and around the World.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels runs in the Liverpool Empire Theatre from Tuesday July 7-Saturday July 18. For ticket information, click here.

You can learn more about Dirty Rotten Scoundrels by clicking 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.

Claire Sweeney Bringing Sex In Suburbia To Liverpool Empire

Sex In Suburbia

Written By: Mark Armstrong

Provided By: Liverpool Empire Theatre

Claire Sweeney is bringing her hit comedy Sex In Suburbia to the Liverpool Empire.

The mysteries of men, dating, finding Mr Right, and motherhood are explored in Sex In Suburbia, the hilarious new comedy starring Claire Sweeney.  With West End and touring production credits that include Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Educating Rita and September In The Rain and television roles in Brookside, Clocking Off, Merseybeat and Candy Cabs, Claire has established herself as one of the most popular and versatile talents in the UK.

Sex In Suburbia is co-written by Claire Sweeney and Mandy Muden, directed by Ken Alexander (Hormonal Housewives) with set design by Mark Walters (Hot Flush). Packed with revealing and raunchy storylines set to a backdrop of sensational musical anthems including I’m Every Woman, I Want To Break Free and Somebody Else’s Guy, Sex In Suburbia will make you laugh, cry and dance in the aisles!

Penny Crowe (Lindzi Germain) is the host of a late-night radio phone-in and as Britain’s leading Agony Aunt, she takes calls about every date from hell and the occasional one from heaven. She is more than happy to dish out relationship advice, but is she as happy to take it?

Claire Sweeney joins Penny on her show as a ‘relationship expert’ while Carl Patrick revels in multiple roles which take in frigid footie fans, karate chopping kids and outrageous radio host Rory Reynolds.

And as a way of keeping Sex in Suburbia ‘Real’ with a capital R, sassy and brave audience members will be invited to share their own personal dating stories live on stage and will be rewarded with an Ann Summers goodie bag!

Filled with fun, laughter, emotion and truth, Sex In Suburbia is based on real stories from real women. This is the story of all of our lives! (Attendees must be 16+ due to strong language and adult themes).

Sex In Suburbia runs in the Liverpool Empire Theatre from Monday March 30-Tuesday March 31. For ticket information, click here.

You can learn more about Sex In Suburbia by clicking here.