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.
Written by Fred Lawless and directed by the sensational Bob Eaton, Scouse Pacific tells the story of a feckless man of the cloth who is banished from the parish he serves (a lot of drinks to), alongside four of the best looking nuns to have been on stage. Together they find themselves washed ashore the Pacific island of Secosu where they meet the last descendants of Liverpool man Billy Riley.
The tale that ensues is played out fantastically by some of Liverpool’s best comic actors, including the ever reliable Andrew Schofield, the impressive Alan Stocks who played Father O’ Flaherty and relative newcomer Rachel Rae who charmed the audience with her singing and her portrayal of a teenage Scouse girl desperate to see the city of her ancestors.
In his third acting role of the year at the theatre is the figure of Stephen Fletcher, who has wowed audiences since the end of the summer with stunning performance in Our Day Out and a superb rendition and interpretation of Paul McCartney in Lennon. This LIPA trained actor has proved time again that he can do both serious acting and comedy roles with great expertise, not surprising when you have Liverpool legend Andrew Schofield on stage with you.
The overwhelming factor of these types of nights at The Royal Court is the music that’s used by the cast, somehow hearing new; laugh out loud versions of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, South Pacific’s and Captain’s Sensible’s Happy Talk amongst them seemed natural and added to the festive cheer that was in abundance on a chilly Liverpool evening.
The whole cast must be congratulated for a performance that left the whole audience holding their sides and grinning from ear to ear from start to finish. A true comedy musical that tickles the funny bone till it becomes infectious.
You won’t stop laughing.
Ian D. Hall