Chris Birchall

For me, there are two things that mark the start of the festive season: Noddy Holder shouting “It’s Christmas!” and curtain-up on a decent panto.

This year, both arrived at once, as Slade’s 1973 classic Merry Christmas Everybody blasted out right at the start of The Scouse Christmas Carol at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre.

And when I say “a decent panto”, I’m not talking about the usual innuendo-ridden, “it’s behind you” kids’ shows. There are plenty of those up and down the country. I mean a full-on, raucous, rock ’n’ roll panto, crammed with adult humour, the very thing the Royal Court has built its reputation on.

Their Christmas shows are always a treat. Every year, you come out thinking, “How on earth are they going to top that?” And every year, somehow, they do. This time, though, they’ve outdone themselves. This year’s offering is exceptional.

The show is packed with music from start to finish, performed live on stage by four excellent musicians. The nine-strong cast tear into numbers like I’m Too Sexy, Ghostbusters, Night Fever and Thriller, with familiar Royal Court favourites Helen Carter, Adam McCoy, Paul Duckworth and Lenny Wood all on top form.

When it comes to belting out a tune, few can match the lung power of Lindzi Germain, yet she also showed her softer side with a genuinely moving rendition of Adele’s When We Were Young.

The comedy is nothing short of brilliant, with the Scouse one-liners coming thick and fast. The ever-wonderful Keddy Sutton flits effortlessly between five different characters, keeping her trademark Barbara Windsor giggle and “sexy sod” catchphrases going throughout.

The action is fast-moving, with the theatre’s revolving stage serving up rapid changes between three cleverly designed sets. There is a particularly hilarious moment when the revolve apparently breaks down and the platform has to be shoved around by actors and stagehands. Planned or not, it brought the house down.

The Scouse Christmas Carol is a superb start to Christmas, the perfect antidote to the winter blues and just the pick-me-up you need as the nights draw in. It fits perfectly into the Royal Court’s now classic brand of musical comedy, while still hanging on to the essential spirit of Scrooge, Scratchitt and Marley, even if Charles Dickens himself might be spinning in his grave at what they get up to.

More importantly, the audiences will be turning up in their droves. This is a full Five-Star show, and your Christmas will not be complete if you miss it. Get your tickets booked quickly before they sell out by contacting the box office here: Ticket Link

Let’s be clear. What we are talking about here is more to do with Zombies taking over the Royal Court’s Studio stage, than Liverpool FC’s recent form.

So if you’re craving a bit of daft, blood-spattered escapism with a hearty dose of Scouse wit, The Anfield Apocalypse delivers — especially after the interval. Set in a two-up/two-down while chaos claws at the windows, Rachel Louise Clark’s new comedy leans gleefully into slapstick and local in-jokes, but keeps the laughs coming often enough to make the undead feel very much alive.

The casting is a treat. Royal Court favourites Lynn Francis, Emma Bispham and Liam Tobin are joined by rising duo Georgia Taft and Dylan Thomas-Smith — and it’s the youngsters who drive the mayhem. Thomas-Smith’s zany physicality is consistently hilarious; Taft matches him beat for beat. Francis shines as the daft matriarch, tossing off killer reactions as the world (possibly) ends, while Tobin is thoroughly convincing as a Blue marooned in a house full of Reds. No one feels “supporting” here — it’s a tight ensemble with generous comic chemistry.

Tonally it’s bonkers-but-brilliant: camp horror colliding with sharp one-liners, then swerving into heartfelt family niggles. Not every gag lands, and the first half takes a little while to find its rhythm, but the second half clicks and races to a raucous finish.

On press night, the Studio crowd rose to its feet — a deserved ovation for a show that understands exactly what it is: light-hearted, Liverpool-loving, end-of-the-world nonsense done with craft and gusto.

My Verdict: A gleefully daft, fast-moving zombie caper with a cracking ensemble — and a second half that properly takes the roof off. The Anfield Apocalypse runs until Saturday, 18 October 2025. Grab a ticket while you can from the Royal Court box office.

Photo Credits – AB Photography

With the real-life Merseyside Derby playing out at Anfield this weekend, the timing couldn’t be better for Liverpool’s Royal Court to stage The Derby Days.

This latest production carries on the theatre’s proud tradition of raucous Scouse comedies while shining a light on the fierce, lifelong passion with which Liverpudlians follow their chosen team. I say “chosen” – but really, you’re born into it. Red or Blue. Family tradition decides.

The rivalry, of course, is legendary. Ask a Red and he’ll admit there are two teams in Liverpool – then quickly add, “Yes… Liverpool FC and Liverpool Reserves.”

The story centres on a “mixed marriage”. Dave Derby and Debbie Days never actually made it to the altar, but they’ve shared a living room divided down the middle for years. His half is draped in Liverpool red – scarves, posters, photos and memorabilia – while hers proudly flies the Everton blue, complete with a framed slogan that cheekily declares: “I’d Rather Walk Alone.”

The sparring between Dominic Carter and Sarah White feels so authentic, you’d swear they really were Red and Blue in real life.

Tensions boil over when their daughter Chloe (Ellie Clayton) returns home to announce her pregnancy – and introduce her fiancé, Marc (Elliott Kingsley). To keep the peace, Chloe grew up pretending allegiance: Red with Dad, Blue with Mum, and acting completely uninterested whenever they were all together. The act crumbles when Marc is revealed to be… a Manc. Cue uproar at the prospect of a Manchester United fan joining the family!

What follows is a fast-paced, laugh-a-minute rollercoaster that more than lives up to the Royal Court’s reputation for comedy gold. Ian Salmon’s script pokes fun at both sides in equal measure, brought brilliantly to life by a superb cast under Nicole Behan’s sharp direction.

Whether you’re Red, Blue, or couldn’t care less about football, The Derby Days delivers a cracking night out. It runs at the Royal Court until 18th October.