Letter to Brezhnev world premiere at Liverpool's Royal Court in 2026

A new stage version of much-loved Liverpool-based film Letter to Brezhnev will be given its world premiere at the city’s Royal Court next autumn.

Frank Clarke, who wrote the screenplay for the 1985 classic, is creating a bespoke new production which will be staged at the Roe Street theatre from September 11 to October 10.

Theresa and Elaine are young, beautiful and full of life. But they don’t think that will last long, because it’s 1985 and this is Kirby.

Sergei and Peter are fresh off the boat and revelling in being away from the Soviet Union. Liverpool has opened their eyes.

Teresa is looking for sex and a smile, Elaine wants love, romance and the dream of a life far away from the grime of Liverpool. All of them have the chance to forget their lives and live their dreams for one glorious night.

Letter to Brezhnev, starring Alexandra Pigg, Margi Clarke, Alfred Molina and Peter Firth, was released in cinemas in October 1985. It was filmed in just three weeks with shooting locations including the city’s State Nightclub, a chicken giblets factory in Kirkby and Birkenhead which stood in for Moscow.

Liverpool Royal Court executive producer Kevin Fearon says: “Letter to Brezhnev is the story of a moment in time, but it is something that still resonates across the city and we are delighted to be bringing it to the Liverpool stage.

“At Liverpool’s Royal Court, we pride ourselves on putting Liverpool lives on stage, and our audience has grown up with the story of Teresa and Elaine. 

With Boys from the Blackstuff, we really showed how we can adapt these televisual and cinematic moments of Scouse culture into rich and passionate stage productions.

“We’re incredibly proud to have Frank Clarke onboard to adapt his incredible screenplay for our audience. Letter to Brezhnev is a real moment in Liverpool, and Kirkby, culture.

"The film, directed by Chris Bernard, plays a huge part in the lives of our audiences. You meet so many people who were extras in the film, who remember it being filmed and who see Teresa and Elaine as contemporaries of their youth.” 

Letter to Brezhnev is at the Royal Court from September 11 to October 10, 2026. Tickets HERE