The Royal Court panto season has begun, and opening night heralds the start of Christmas for many Scousers; it has become somewhat of an institution, a ‘must-see’, as it contains lots of Liverpool banter and gags about local personalities and landmarks.
This year’s offering ‘A Scouse Nativity, The
Second Coming’ is no different, it is a raucous, adult-only festive comedy and
the tradition lives on.
This reimagined, somewhat irreverent take on the Christmas story is set around three shepherds and the birth of Jesus Christ; anyone of the Christian religion easily offended would not be a fan but its fast-paced local humour does not seek to offend, only entertain with sharp witticisms, musical numbers, and high energy from the cast.
Writer, Kevin Fearon and
Director, Nicole Behan have combined a well-trusted format reminiscent of
previous pantos with an irreverent take on The Bible story with local gags and
standout musical performances from cast members, Jess Smith, Lindzi Germain and
Adam McCoy.
The story revolves around boy and girl sweethearts, Mary (Jess Smith) and Joseph (Adam McCoy), and archangel, Angela Gabriel (Lindzie Germain) who tells them they’re going to have a baby, but nasty King Herod (Paul Duckworth) who also has a thing for Mary, is none too impressed and does his best to steal her away from Joseph. Every Christmas show needs a villain, and Herod is top of the list in being notoriously vile. A difficult character to make funny, yet in the hands of the magnificent Paul Duckworth, he is so devilishly nasty, almost to the point of being likable and his impersonations of well-known music icons and personalities are very funny. It is the popularity of the panto cast plus the clever, witty scripts which underline the reasons for this show being so popular each year.
The show features a four-piece on-stage band comprising James Breckon, Greg Joy, Chris Nicholls and Mike Woodvine, plus two singers who join the cast on stage at times.
The set designers have done a
wonderful job yet again, using the revolving stage to portray four different
locations and props department have come up trumps with puppetry, Mary’s donkey
on wheels and laugh-out-loud lobster and octopus inflatables.
But without giving away too many
spoilers, commendations go to the excellent Keddy Sutton, her Cilla impressions
are a fabulous treat, Lindzi Germain, her voice could probably be heard on the
other side of the Mersey tunnel and Jess Smith for her outstanding beautiful vocals.
Cast: Helen Carter, Paul Duckworth, Lindzi Germain, Adam McCoy, Lydia Rose Morales Scully, Jess Smith, Tim Roberts, Keddy Sutton, and Lenny Wood.
For more details and tickets, see
https://issuu.com/iainchristie/docs/the_scouse_nativity_show_programme_e598569fab91ce?fr=sZGM5NjkyMzU1OTQ
Dates and Run: 6th
November 2026 – 16th January 12027
Age recommendation is
16+ age restriction due to strong adult humour and swearing.
Get along before Christmas if you can to enjoy fabulous
festive frolics and a whole lotta laughing which make this show a hit once again.
Reviewer: Anne
Pritchard
On: 12th November 2026
