Liverpool's Royal Court joins the Eurovision party
Eurovision is coming to Liverpool next spring – and it’s not just the waterfront arena spectacular being beamed to a global audience.
The city’s Royal Court is also going song contest crazy with the premiere of playwright Jonathan Harvey’s new comedy A Thong For Europe – Liverpool Calling.
The show, packed with Eurovision hits, runs from April 21 to May 27. And £1 from every ticket sold will be donated to the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.
Lulu, proud owner of Litherland’s largest lingerie fabricator, is the biggest Eurovision nut that you will ever meet. Conceived to the beat of ABBA’s tambourine, she only drinks Bucks Fizz, while Sonia had to take out a restraining order against her in 2002.
When Liverpool won the right to host the competition, she knew that this was her big chance to make her dream come true and be there on the night itself.
In order to help the Eurovision community, she offered up her house to anybody who needed a place to stay (for a small fee) and has been rewarded with a visit from Beryl, the singing star of the newly discovered nation of Balkania.
What Beryl lacks in grace and talent, she makes up for in wildly misplaced confidence. But can Lulu help her defeat the odds and get to the final at the arena?
With a little help from Lulu’s son Terry, her late mother Debbie and a choreographer who would rather be anywhere else but here, she is going to give it her best shot.
Above: playwright Jonathan Harvey.
Jonathan Harvey’s many stage credits include the 1995 Boom Bang-A-Bang, a bittersweet comedy set on the night of Eurovision, while his new version of panto classic Mother Goose – starring Sir Ian McKellen and John Bishop – is set to come to the Empire next February.
He said today: “It’s long been an ambition of mine to get a play on at the Royal Court as whenever I go, I have an absolute scream – and get my tea into the bargain.
“As a massive Eurovision fan I think we’re all ready for larger than life comedy that celebrates our city and the contest. Let’s hope we score a resounding douze points.”
Liverpool’s Royal Court Executive Producer Kevin Fearon added: “I’m delighted Jonathan has agreed to write this new show. We’ve all been big fans of his for a long time and I’m looking forward to working with him.
“Liverpool was made for events like Eurovision and I know the city will be absolutely buzzing with great events next year. We had a think what we could do to join the party and a big, new comedy packed with music seemed to be the perfect fit.
“We know that the only reason that Liverpool is hosting this year is because of the terrible situation in Ukraine. We'll be donating £1 from every ticket sold to the Red Cross Ukraine Appeal so this show can help those who need it most.”
A Thong for Europe – Liverpool Calling is at the Royal Court from April 21 to May 27. Tickets HERE