Cast: Jake Abraham, Sam Avery, Roy Brandon, Eithne Browne, The Christians, Jamie Davies, Pauline Daniels, Les Dennis, Paul Duckworth, Davy Edge, Caitlin Evans, Michael Fletcher, Stephen Fletcher, Lynn Francis, Olivia Galvin, Lindzi Germain, Jamie Hampson, Jasmine Joel, Brittany McKay-Ellison, Lauren McQueen, Abigail Middleton, Mark Moraghan, Paislie Reid, Jack Rigby, Andrew Schofield, Hayley Sheen, Angela Simms, Alan Stocks, Keddy Sutton, Francis Tucker, James Tudor, Glenn Wild, Stephen Williamson, Lenny Wood, Rachael Wood.
The Royal Court Community Choir directed by Jay McWinen.
Band: Howard Gray, Greg Joy, Alex Smith, A. P. Stefansson.
What would the city of Liverpool be without its art, without the artists, the musicians, the poets who sit in silent solitude searching for the one line of valid introspection, without its playwrights, its authors, the actors, without its venues, its theatres, without the skyline, the audiences who continue to make the place by the Mersey arguably the most unique of all spaces in the England, if not the whole of the U.K. What would Liverpool be, in short, infinitely, and irrevocably, poorer in spirit, it would be like everywhere else, it would not be the most vibrant place that many a visitor and those who stay forever, could ever say was the strongest and most forthright city of all.
It is to the spaces that create the power of thought, the artists who inhabit and seek a truth of existence, that Liverpool holds the sense of mystical warrior embodiment, and it is a potency, an authority, which was captured in glorious spirit as the Sunday night finale of September’s fling was framed by the grand lady of the Royal Court Theatre as she was put through her vigorous paces as she celebrated the twin events of her 80th Birthday, and the dedication of the unveiling of the plaque which honoured one of Liverpool’s most famous, and true to the nature of the city and its ethos, sons, Sir Ken Dodd.
The unveiling of the plaque, which was carried out by his wife Lady Anne Dodd and with the ever popular comedian and stage actor Les Dennis by her side, was just the start of an evening in which the Royal Court offered the chance to remember, revel and enjoy the memories of the building, of the part it has played in the city’s cultural regeneration, and of the magnificent past it has woven into its very core; each brick, each script and note played, a testament to Liverpool.
It was fitting that Sir Ken Dodd should be commemorated as part of the evening, if not for the man with the tickling stick and genius comic timing, there might not be a Royal Court Theatre today, so close to be consigned to history, instead of creating it. With the memory of Sir Ken and his legendry prowess on stage, the abundance of dates he went on night after night which saved the theatre, the decade of music in which bands such as The Clash, Iron Maiden, David Bowie, Bon Jovi and U2 came to Liverpool and mixed local musicians who hold the city with respect, through the era of comedy and the incredible shows that have come afterwards, productions such as Misery, Scouse Pacific, the phenomenal Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, the outrageously funny The Royal, Council Depot Blues and unforgettable characters, esteemed actors and writers have made the Royal Court what it is today, a place where Liverpool meets the world and shows that nothing can beat this city; though many have tried, they all fail in the face of solidarity and friendship.
With 80 years under her belt, the Royal Court Theatre, like the Playhouse, The Everyman and the Unity Theatre is a constant in the city, it has inspired a new wealth of writing, it has made sure that Liverpool is seen as a progressive, welcoming, and fundamental city which captures the imagination.
A plaque to Sir Ken Dodd, a memory of what has been saved, a celebration attended by those who understand how art keeps the city alive and beautiful, for an 80-year old these are days of youth, for there is surely so much more to come as time and Mersey tide move on.
Ian D. Hall