The Anfield Apocalypse — Royal Court, Liverpool
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
