If you haven’t been to see The Peaceful Hour at Liverpool’s Royal Court, click here, book a ticket, go to the show, and come back here afterwards. It’s not often you’ll write a review and ask the reader to stop reading- but only continue if you have been as it would be impossible to sum up this new production without spoilers. You have been warned.

Writer, Gerry Linford reunites with director, Emma Bird after their triumphant pairing on 2024’s Haunted Scouse, to tell of what happened in Kirkby in 1982 when Julie of L32 took Tim of the Cotswolds back to her high-rise; it was more than just the avocado bathroom suite he was admiring…

The opening scene is sublime with immediate chemistry between scouse Julie (Ellie Clayton) and pompous Tim (Jack Whittle), with some of the most natural, yet slapstick physical comedy I’ve seen. The comedy from this pair is constant and although the material isn’t always slick, their performances certainly are. Likewise, from Julie’s mum, Edna (Julie Glover), and sister, Ange (Angela Simms), if you’re from Liverpool or surrounding areas, you know exactly who these characters are. Even Tim knows who these characters are- analysing Edna within the hour of meeting her. This subplot could be utilised better throughout to give more emphasis and power to Tim’s eventual outing of Tommy (Michael Hawkins). Hawkins gives a strong performance throughout, giving heart to the, at times, constrained plot. 

I’ll be honest, this show is a rollercoaster, not necessarily of emotions, but of literal highs and lows (to the point that, during the interval, I was dreading Act 2.) The concept of having the nostalgia of the Peaceful Hour as a narrative feels shoehorned and results in, at times, bitty scenes of dialogue between Pete Price’s voice coming out the hi-fi. Although more music in the background will help aid the narrative and add to the atmosphere, some of the songs and the final dance number add nothing to the play and feel as though they are there to pander to the audience.  It could also be that after an incident of bigotry in previews, and there being ‘unnecessary’ gay references in Act 1, as a gay man, my heckles are already up. However, this swiftly changes with the subplot in Act 2, showing that the residents are not in fact as completely shallow and narrow-minded as they have been toward Tim when it is one of their own- then they show their true colours. You can hear a pin drop in the theatre, and it is not easy to keep a Liverpool audience quiet. This scene results in one of the most powerful lines I’ve heard in theatre- slightly paraphrasing- “He doesn’t want a gay son, but he doesn’t want a dead son.” In a time of so much hate, even days before in that very space, this is one of the most important themes to ever grace the Royal Court. Yes, we love the comedies, the local references and the songs, but guess what? This has all of the above and then some.

Playing until Saturday 8th March.

Tickets gifted in exchange for an honest review.

Photography courtesy of the production.