Les Dennis reprises Jigsy for Liverpool's Royal Court online

Liverpool’s Royal Court is screening Les Dennis’ acclaimed one man show Jigsy online from this Friday.

The actor, comedian and presenter performed the play at the Roe Street theatre in 2012, following a successful run at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Now theatre fans are being given the chance to see the show again, this time for free on the Royal Court’s YouTube channel.

While the theatre is closed to audiences, Dennis has created an abridged version of the play, performing it on the Royal Court Studio stage, for the special new screening.

Lurching unsteadily off-stage at a Liverpool working men’s club - sweat, smoke and failure clinging to his faded 70s dinner suit - Jigsy is a journeyman variety comedian, struggling for survival in a modern world that has left him far behind.

Talking directly to the audience, Jigsy reviews his life, the ups and downs…mostly the latter.

Dennis said: “As someone who is used to being creative, I needed to find an outlet. Jigsy seemed like the perfect project as it’s a one-man play so social distancing was easy. At first I thought it might be something I’d have to do remotely, but when Kevin (Fearon – Royal Court executive producer) suggested doing it on set in the Royal Court studio I was thrilled.

“I feel a great affinity with the theatre and am really proud of what we have achieved. Other theatres have put work out for their audiences. We were lucky to be able to do something bespoke post-Covid. I hope audiences enjoy watching.”

Catch Jigsy on the Royal Court Liverpool YouTube channel from 7pm this Friday.