Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Lynne Francis, Lindzi Germain, Jack Rigby, Angela Simms, Michael Starke, Charlotte Dalton, Stephanie Miles, Emily Trebicki.
Every science fiction story needs a hero, a man willing to put his life on the line in order to save the world and by doing so redeem his soul, a man who handles himself with courage, moral fortitude, bravery in the face of oppression…and a Tardis inspired wheelie Bin. It’s the festive season but not as we know it.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *
Cast: Jennifer Bea, Lindzi Germain, Michael Swift, Warren Donnelly, Tony James, Richie Grice, Mickey Finn.
The thing with some productions is that they do exactly what they say on the tin, there is no small print suggesting that the production will be akin to some lost Shakespeare play, full of pathos and anger, cunning and revenge. Instead it just happens to be good, in some cases very good at being able to give people exactly what they need, especially in a world that seems to be very bleak and full of unpleasantness, that of laughter and an excuse to crack a smile and laugh till it hurts. For Bon Voyage, presented by Boom Boom Productions, this is that type of play and for that the smile just got a little broader.
Richie Grice cuts a commanding but ultimately loveable figure as he sits before you. His love of comedy radiates outwards from the very time you meet him and he certainly knows his stuff and his ready laugh is easy and a joyous thing to hear whenever you mention something that tickles his own funny bone.
With rehearsals well under way for Bon Voyage at The Epstein Theatre, which stars the superb Lindzi Germain and the legendary Mickey Finn, I was able to catch ten precious minutes with the man who co-wrote the play with Paul Nicholson at The Garden at FACT and ask him his thoughts on the play and on comedy.
Following on from the success of the last few years (Merry Ding Dong, Scouse Pacific, Little Scouse On The Prairie, A Nightmare On Lime Street) Fred Lawless has set the action in space and the show is called The Hitchhiker’s Guide To Fazakerley and now the Royal Court Theatre has announced the cast for this fantastic festive offering for 2013.
The cast can now be confirmed as Michael Starke, Lindzi Germain, Lynn Francis, Angela Simms and Jack Rigby! Michael, Lindzi and Lynn were all in last year’s brilliant comedy A Nightmare on Lime Street but this is the first Christmas show for Jack (Our Day Out, Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) and Angela (Ladies Day). The show will be directed by Royal Court Artistic Director Ken Alexander and the Musical Director will be Howard Gray.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10
Cast: Micky Finn, Crissy Rock, Suzanne Collins, Lesley Butler, Lenny Wood, Lynne Fitzgerald, Roy Brandon, Lindzi Germain, Ruth Laird.
There may be a very wide river that runs between Liverpool and Birkenhead, perhaps at times it may seem like a gulf or a yawning chasm but the actual differences between the two sides of the Mersey are in truth very small. Birkenhead and Liverpool are communities, communities built upon tradition, hard work and friendship and in Brain McCann’s outstanding musical play, Down Our Street, the history of Birkenhead is explored to its fullest, from the founding stones of John Laird and the thoughts of a model town and the shipyard that still bares the family name.
Jamie Hampson is currently part of the cast that is thrilling Royal Court theatre goers that have been going in their droves to see Fred Lawless’ latest monster smash hit A Nightmare on Lime Street. Originally from Halewood she was bitten by the acting bug before she hit her teenage years.
Having completed her training at the famous Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (L.I.P.A.) she has gone on to become one of the rising stars of Liverpool theatre with superb performances in A Midsummer’s Night Dream, Macbeth and in Nicky Alt’s You’ll Never Walk Alone to her name. Multi-talented and enjoyable company, there is seemingly nothing that will stop this young actor becoming a house-hold name in years to come.
Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *
Cast: Lynn Francis, Lindzi Germain, Jamie Hampson, Mark Moraghan, Michael Starke, Anthony Watson, Lenny Wood, Alicia Forrest, Niamh Fitzgerald, Olivia Galvin, Joe Slater.
An ancient evil is stirring beneath the bowels of Lime Street and it is up to Tommy and his daughter Julie to root it out. Fred Lawless’ latest Festive extravaganza, the brilliant A Nightmare on Lime Street, pays homage to the comedy horrors of the past and brings together a superb cast, a script of monster proportions and music to adore and smile throughout at.
Originally published by L.S. Media. December 4th 2010.
Cast: Paul Duckworth, Stephen FRletcher, Lindzi Germain, Rachel Rae, Andrew Schofield, Alan Stocks, Zoei Cozens, Niamh Fitzgerald, Kay Staunton, Sarah Walker.
Gambling, swearing nuns, a lost tribe of Scousers, a Catholic Father who is more uncouth than clean cloth and more bananas than you can shake a banana tree at are just some of the elements in this year’s Christmas stunning production by The Royal Court, the epic Scouse Pacific.
Originally published by L.S. Media November 30th 2011.
L.S. Media Rating *****
Cast: Paul Duckworth, Stephen Fletcher, Lindzi Germain, Rachel Rae, Andrew Schofield, Alan Stocks, Zeoi Cozens, Niamh Fitzgerald, Kay Stanton, Sarah Walker.
Every great story deserves a sequel. Every drunk Irish Catholic Father who is best friends with four former gambling mad nuns and who escaped the island of Secosu merits the chance to have his story continued.
Originally published by L.S. Media. July 4th 2012.
L.S. Media Rating ****
Cast: Roy Brandon, Paul Duckworth, Taylor Parry. Lynn Francis, Lindzi Germain, Lewis Pryor, Connor Laverty, Dan McIntrye, Andrew Schofield, Alan Stocks, Francis Tucker.
When a theatre gets the start of what will be an excellent makeover, it deserves to reopen with one of Liverpool’s finest writers and a cast that is so well versed in raising the laughter to very highest levels of audience enjoyment.