Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Lynn Francis, Lindzi Germain, Philip Hesteltine, Danny O’Brien, Angela Simms, Alan Stocks.

Some institutions are so engrained into the fabric of society that to be without them is to argue that society is going backwards. The N.H.S., arguably the greatest and proudest contribution to British life in the last 100 years, is always under threat, always on the verge of being lost by those who believe that the health of the nation should be one that is allowed to make profit over care, yet, for now, still offers the best a patient can get and that always boils down to the people inside the hospitals, the doctors, the cleaners, the morticians, the nurses…those that wander in with a clip board one day and decide to stay.

The Royal Court understands comedy, it is its stock in trade, that the wellbeing of a city depends on its ability to laugh, whether it is an old familiar favourite or in the shape of something new, something utterly tremendous and written by three of the city’s honoured daughters; The Royal is to nursing and comedy as Liverpool is to common sense in uncertain times in the country, a beacon of hope that radiates brightly.

Written by Lindzi Germain, Lynne Francis and Angela Simms, The Royal is an affectionate, wonderfully hilarious, slapstick, dead pan and bed pan comedy that really gets to grips with the loss of an iconic and much loved hospital and the characters, the special relationships that are built up in time, that haunt such places. The stories of patients, of nurses and the odd mishap with a cardiac machine, everybody knows one, everyone has heard of one and the three comedy angels Lindzi Germain, Lynne Francis and Angela Simms really bring all their talent to the fore to make this play one of the funniest to show at the Royal Court Theatre.

With superb performances all round, not a single moment was lost, the pathos of the situation perfectly in balance with the humour served up, the grief of loss covered exquisitely by Lynn Francis’ Mo the Mortician and the belly aching laughter of Alan Stocks portrayal of the last patient alive in the soon to be demolished building. This is exactly what new comedy means, it is to be held close and encouraged and with the superb Cal McCrystal directing the play, it offers the perfect night out.

If laughter is the best medicine then let these hospital workers carry on supplying it, their injection of humour to the health of Liverpool is a real tonic.

Ian D. Hall