This production, produced by Bill Elms Productions and Asa Murphy is a festivity of Irish culture, from the music to the comedy, starring a live five-piece band, The Shenanigans. Landlady Annie (Catherine Rice) and her zany regulars lead the mayhem, with stories from Ricky Tomlinson (Celebrity guest) performing as himself, and songs from Asa Murphy (Seamus). New to this production are Michael Alan-Bailey (Porky the Postman and Joe), Richard Barry (Noel Singen-Smithe) and Maria Lovelady (Moira the Money Lender and May).
Murphy has created this show as a celebration of everything that makes Irish culture and the people of Ireland so special. His family originated from Cork and Tralee and many members still live in Ireland, so it has a special fondness for him.
The show features original tracks written by Murphy, and singalong song sheets of all-time favourite Irish tunes including Galway Shawl, Tell Me Ma, Dirty Old Town, Whiskey In The Jar and Danny Boy are handed out to the audience so that they can join in.
Tomlinson basically plays himself with his lank grey hair, dressed like Jim Royle from TV’s Royle Family in a mustard T-shirt and slip-ons; the 84-year-old interacted with the audience and recalled events during his Brookside TV show playing Bobby Grant, encounters with Ken Dodd, Robert de Niro, and his time on the set with The Royle Family with Caroline Ahern, Ralf Little and cast, and his imprisonment after a 1972 strike; the recollection of the overturning of his conviction in 2021 got a loud cheer from his army of fans in the audience. It felt as though he was just getting into full anecdote mode and could go on all evening when he was interrupted by Murphy who was ready to sing another song.
The show falls somewhere between TV’s Mrs Brown’s Boys and an adult panto which depicts the acting style and type of humour on offer. It is a fun, light-hearted show about fostering community spirit with a message of looking out for one another which a certain type of Liverpool audience will enjoy. Murphy keeps the show moving along with his narrative and singing whilst playing the guitar; he seems to know what certain Liverpool audiences desire and delivers it convincingly.
Rice portrayed a fun-loving matriarchal stereotypical pub landlady and engaged with the pub regulars convincingly. She is energetic whilst leading the Irish jigs encouraging fellow actors and the audience to become involved with the singalongs and have a good time at her pub’s party.
A rendition of Danny Boy by Richard Barry (Noel) deserves a mention, and he was deservedly given a standing ovation by the audience, as does Maria Lovelady who has a lovely voice. Local radio DJ Billy Butler played himself and delivered a very funny performance; the audience particularly enjoyed a recital of an entertaining poem which received enthusiastic applause.
The band, appropriately called Shenanigans were quality musicians befitting for the show.
Embracing the traditions of music hall, variety and pantomime, the gags come thick and fast, some rather risqué as expected and it’s recognisable that some might be older than the Blarney Stone itself.
The show is directed by Stephen Fletcher with larger-than-life characters; this was a special homecoming night after touring UK and Ireland after premiering to Liverpool audiences a few years ago.
