LFC stars support new play at its launch

Liverpool FC star Jamie Carragher held the official launch of a new play by Kirkby-born playwright Nicky Allt at his bar Café Sports England in the city centre last night.

One Night in Istanbul gives an alternative view of the historic night Liverpool FC clinched its fifth European Cup for keeps from the fans’ perspective.

LFC stars Jamie Carragher, Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso together with Manchester City player Dietmar Hamann – a player for Liverpool Football Club on that memorable night – arrived at the venue, in Stanley Street, to support this exciting new play.

Steven Gerrard said: “It’s a night I’ll never forget and it’s great to have such a gifted local writer bring this night to the stage in Liverpool and hopefully to other places where there is strong support for this great club.”

One Night in Istanbul is lead by a cast including comedian John Bishop and former Brookside actor John McArdle.

The launch evening was bustling with excitement as Liverpool FC defender Jamie Carragher was only too aware what the famous night in May meant to his fans. He said: “I know how much of a night this was for fans of Liverpool Football Club, but equally it was the same feeling for the players, if not, more. But hopefully we might win the European Champions League Cup again and give them more to feel happy about.”

One Night in Istanbul tells the journey of Tom and Gerry, based on two known supporters to LFC’s travelling fraternity, who head to Istanbul to see their beloved Liverpool take on Italian champions AC Milan.

In order to pay for their trip, Tom and Gerry have to find the Grand Bazaar to sell Adolf Hitler’s cufflinks, which they had taken from a museum in Munich years previously.

“It’s a really good story,” said John Bishop, who will play the part of Tom. “Nicky is a really gifted writer and having some of the players here tonight shows how much they support what he’s doing.”

Actor John McArdle was equally impressed with the script having been cast to play the part of Gerry. He added: “It was a brilliant idea and only Nicky could write something like this.

“I’m a massive Red as well, but unfortunately couldn’t get to go to the final in Istanbul. Nicky went and has told me all about his experience though!

“We hope some Evertonians will come and support and see the show because it was a night the city shouldn’t forget!”

One Night in Istanbul appears at the Liverpool Empire theatre 9-18 July.

*Photograph taken by Chris Chadwick