Show: Twice Nightly
Event: Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021
Location: Bombed Out Church, Liverpool
Date: Tuesday September 7 2021
Time: 19.30
Running Time: 90 Minutes
Age Rating: 12+
Performers: Michael Alan Bailey & Maria Lovelady
Production Company: Frame This!
Writers: Michael Alan Bailey & Maria Lovelady
Directors: Michael Alan Bailey & Maria Lovelady
This is our theatre review for Twice Nightly returning to Liverpool‘s Bombed Out Church. Now, this will be the ninth show of Liverpool Theatre Festival 2021. So, let’s take a look at Twice Nightly!
Twice Nightly
Background
After a successful run as part of Liverpool Theatre Festival Of New Works, this show returns! So, the year is 1931. And it seems that variety really is the spice of life! Indeed, for both Don and Madge (a song and dance double act), life in Liverpool really is sweet. But then it turns sour. Cue a night of bitter disruption that leaves them both in a pickle. And from there, they stew over memories of their fruity careers, making for some outrageous flavour!
Analysis
The performance opened with male and female vaudville artists singing “What Did We Steal”. Then they introduced themselves as “Don Done and Madge Doyle”. They were the best of friends and played the music hall venues of Merseyside. The year is 1931. The third member of the cast, Roy Carruthers, is very talented and played several roles including The Great Wally. The show also featured the instantly recognisable voice of Eithne Browne as the judge.
The story takes us on a journey through the music halls of the late twenties and early thirties of England and also including a few nights at The Alhambra in Paris. However they “Might as well have been in St Helens because they felt tired, wet and hungry. So much for Paris”.
Final mention goes to the amorous male parrot Cordelia!
After realising that the world of cinema is coming and thinking their days as a song and dance double act are numbered, the pair get drunk in Ma Edgertons and then break into one of the new picture houses to steal the film reels. As a result of their misadventure the pair are arrested and brought before the judge.
The finale is absolutely spectacular and involves Bella and Bertie- the Liverpool Liver birds! I recommend you catch the show next time it appears locally.
Notes
Target Audience: Adults, but appropriate for over 12 years of age
Recommendation?: Yes
Twice Nightly Further Links
Liverpool Theatre Festival continues at the Bombed Out Church until Sunday September 12 2021. So, to purchase tickets for any of those shows, please click here.
Did you see Twice Nightly? Let us know by leaving a comment below!
