Irish Annie's is a Christmas cracker of a show, it is a celebration of Irish culture, incorporating comedy, Irish music and social history. Having said that, it’s not important to be Irish to enjoy it as it is amusing and entertaining whilst also being very uplifting at the same time, almost inspirational as the sentiments of friendship, community and love are expressed throughout.
This was the final show after the cast having completed 42 shows whilst touring the UK. Writer and Director Asa Murphy and cast thought it fitting that they should end the tour in their Liverpool home.
The outline of the show is that the audience members are actually in Annie’s bar which is the stage set, which remains constant throughout; it is designed to make the audience feel at home in a traditional Irish pub and it actually feels authentic; various characters visit the bar during the show and 5-piece live band, The Shenanigans are on stage throughout accompanying the vocalists.
The premise of the story is that Moira the Moneylender (Lynne Fitzgerald) wants to close down Annie’s Bar which has been a favourite with the locals who drink there for many years but in the end is persuaded not to do so. Landlady Annie (Samantha Alton) is the lynchpin in the story who everyone loves and wants the best for, who is looking for love but in the wrong places. A love story between her and Seamus interweaves in the story whilst the lives behind the characters who frequent the bar is told in songs and verse.
The show started with Seamus (Asa Murphy), dressed in Christmas colours, red and green, singing ‘Liverpool Lou’ followed by ‘The Black Velvet Band’, encouraging audience members to join in. One observation/suggestion is that it would have been helpful for audience members to have a copy of the lyrics for each song performed so that they could join in as, like myself, most knew the chorus or first lines of each song, but not the verses and this spoilt the enjoyment a little. There are a number of well-known Irish songs included plus original songs written and performed by Asa. Whilst Asa sang, ‘I Love Galway Bay’ band member, Paul Thompson’s beautiful accompaniment on the flute was much appreciated by the audience.
Ricky Tomlinson plays himself in the production, as a regular customer in the bar, and part of the script includes a Q & A with Asa asking him questions about his TV career and the people he’s worked with. Ricky shared some personal highlights which were very funny and much appreciated by the audience. Ricky, now 86, is an amusing raconteur and he also sang and danced during the show, much to the delight of the audience who couldn’t wait to shake his hand or applaud and complement him in appreciation of his talents.
Landlady Annie (Samantha Alton) is a talented energetic performer/singer whose enthusiasm for the show shines through, as it does for other cast members, Leslie Longley (Victor/Joe/Porky The Postman) whose Elvis impersonations brought the house down, Richard Barry (Noel Singen-Smithe, a well-spoken self-confessed alcoholic), whose rendition of Danny Boy brought tears to the eyes of audience members, and his excellent delivery of classic poetry and verse enthralled them. Lynne Fitzgerald commands the stage as Moira the Moneylender and performs comedically as Maisie with Leslie Longley as Joe her downtrodden husband and last but not least, Asa Murphy as Seamus delights in performing his original songs and the well-known Irish ditties; his pride in his achievement of getting the show out to theatre-lovers and the pleasure of delivering his storytelling, based on his own personal history, radiates throughout the production. The show is a joy in that each performer throws themselves into their role and looks like they are having so much fun on stage, it is infectious.
The show is co-directed by Emma Vaudrey and produced by Bill Elms Productions and Asa Murphy; The Shenanigans band members consist of John Wheatcroft (Mandolin/Guitar), Ritchie McGrath (Drums), Paul Thomas (Flute/Irish Pipes), Paul O’Shaughnessy (Bass Guitar) and Asa Murphy (Acoustic Guitar); they gave an excellent performance throughout.
All in all this is a very enjoyable, entertaining show, the joy of live performance shines through and it is a must-see in the run up to Christmas; it has a feel-good vibe and had everyone up from their seats dancing at the end, a real crowd pleaser.
This was a one night performance but be sure to catch it if and when it returns.
Reviewer – Anne Pritchard
On – 29.11.25
No comments:
Post a Comment