Fred Lawless' new play
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Royal Court is havin’ a Merry Ding Dong

Royal Court Liverpool will be celebrating Christmas with its first newly commissioned play.

Fred Lawless, co-writer of Slappers and Slapheads, has created a festive play aimed at tickling the fancy of the theatre’s regular attendees.

A combination of scouse comedy and rock and roll panto the show is aiming to have its audiences singing and laughing as events unfurl.

Chris and Noel have been friends since junior school and they only ever disagreed on one thing – football. They became next door neighbours, their wives, Holly and Ivy, became best friends and their kids grew up like brother and sister.

But that was before “The Talacre Incident”. Now the lads aren’t talking, the wives aren’t meant to be talking and, to make things worse, their kids are getting on a damn sight better than they should be!

A story about Rednoses, Bluenoses and Christmas lights so bright they can be seen from space. Lawless’ new play is about best friends who fall out with more than just pride at stake.

The cast has been confirmed as: Jake Abraham (Council Depot Blues); Stephen Aintree (Little Britain), Eithne Browne (Dirty Dusting, Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels), Stephen Fletcher (Hamlet, Stags and Hens), Lindzi Germain (Night Collar), Rachel Rae (Stags and Hens) and Alan Stocks (Slappers and Slapheads).

Bob Eaton (The Salon, Our Day Out – The Musical) will direct the show, while Howard Gray is musical director and Mark Walters is the designer.

Kevin Fearon, chief executive of Royal Court Liverpool, said: “This is a very exciting time for us as this show is our first commission so we have been involved throughout the creative process. Fred has come up with a cracking script and Bob and Howard have worked really hard to make sure that every member of the audience will love it. The show is full of songs with great laughs and a little bit of Christmas spirit – perfect for celebrating the end of a good year!”

Speaking about his appointment to write the theatre’s Christmas show, writer Lawless said he had to make a few sacrifices. He commented: “I was very honoured to be asked to write this year's Royal Court Christmas show, and also really pleased to work again with the highly talented team that Kevin Fearon has assembled at the theatre. It was a lot of fun writing the play, even though it meant putting Christmas decorations up in my study in July to help me get into the festive spirit! I'm sure those who come to see the show will have a great night.”

Merry Ding Dong is opening at the Royal Court Liverpool on Friday 11 December and runs until Saturday 23 January 2010. For tickets, priced £10-£30, call the theatre’s box office on 0870 787 1866.

- by Michael Hunt

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