Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Cast: Emily Chesterton, Sarah Folwell, Hayley Hampson, Miriam O’ Brien, Evangeline Pickerill, Katie Tyler.
Musicians: Elliot Chapman, George Francis, Arnar P. Stefansson, Alex Smith.
A time of Mini-skirts, of free love, of the start of the women’s movement as we know it, of responsibility and of great and lasting music; the 60s were where it began for many, Generation X was about to become arguably the finest age group yet and for those that suffered after post war austerity and to whom the new decade signalled social change. The 60s was a prelude for the melody and tunes to come and the shedding of the Victorian attitude which had damned previous generations.
Max Emerson’s musical celebration of the time, the larger than life and hugely impressive Shout! The Mod Musical, rightly finds itself at the Royal Court in Liverpool after imposing itself with extraordinary charm at the 2015 Edinburgh Festival. In the time honoured fashion of musical treats that weaves its way into the fabric of Liverpool life, the young women who make up the cast, the special forces that make up the absolute lung power of the women who made L.I.P.A. their home, came together in one big hurrah to the times in which women were finally freed from the social constraints of a demanding society, their sexuality and life up to them and in which the music of the time found a way to salute the coming of age.
Max Emerson brings to life the stories of five young women to whom their lives revolve around fashion, sex and the chance to be seen as real people with needs and love. Their trials and tribulations played out against letters to the advice columnist of the magazine Shout! and music from the likes of Petula Clarke, Lulu and a terrific, cheekily risqué adaptation of the Lee Hazlewood written and recorded by Nancy Sinatra track These Boots Are Made For Walking.
To pull such different styles of acting prowess together and bring the story in to the audience with such panache and humour is to be congratulated heartily and throughout the performance of both band and actors on stage were not just on fire, they positively glowed and screamed for adulation.
A truly fun filled night at the Royal Court is assured, the 60s never went away, they just grew up and carried on the movement sparked by those willing to shout to be recognised and heard.
Ian D. Hall