Boys from the Blackstuff - Liverpool/NT/Garrick/Tour

Sept next year, alas, not this year. (The original article did suggest this year.)

Tickets on sale from tomorrow.

Thanks, I see they've now amended the article to explicitly say Sept 2023. I'd have booked for this Sept; far too early for me to thinking about theatre in 14 months' time!

This is in my neck of the woods and despite living in the area for 15 years I've never been to the Liverpool Royal Court theatre. With JG attached I'll book for this. As far as I know, I don't think the RC has had such long booking periods for shows.

Was about to ask this same question lol. 

Thanks for your information samuelwhiskers: have just been sent an email, too. Booked!

For those in the know, as you can't choose seats, is it a free-for-all on the day?

Thanks.

i’m watching this tonight.

A few thoughts on Monday night's visit. Like undeuxtrois , it was my first time at the Liverpool Royal Court and as a venue I really liked it. I've booked for other shows later on in the year after this visit. There was plenty of space across 3 different levels to have a drink and relax pre-show and during the interval. I was sat in the Circle section and had a clear view of the stage despite being near the back of the Circle and with the balcony overhang not causing any issues with seeing the set. The run time on Monday was around 2hr 20 minutes. Programmes were available and cost £4 I seem to remember.

As for the show itself, I really enjoyed it. It zipped along nicely pace wise. James Graham has done a good job here in adapting Alan Bleasdale's TV show for the stage. JG captured both the humour and emotional angst of Bleasdale's writing really well. Barry Sloane as Yosser is definitely the stand out with this  wonderful cast. There are some real LOL moments when he is on stage.

As for the set, you get 2 crane structures either side of the stage with 2 levels with each crane. Other bits of set come in from the side. There is also a screen at the back for projections. From where I was sat, the stage was fully utilised but never seemed cramped.

By the end, there was a really positive response from the audience. 

Rating - 4 stars.

Really enjoyed this. Very good adaptation, not just of the series but the Play for Today that preceded it. That’s a lot of material to edit down into two hours but it felt like it stood on its own as a play rather than just a theatrical version of a greatest hits album. 4 stars.

Only downside for me was the audience. Yes, it’s really funny, “giz a job” is a pretty famous catchphrase, and the scene with “Catholic Priest” nearly brought the house down. But it isn’t a comedy. A lot of laughs at some of the more serious bits, and even a few call outs in quieter moments.

Only running 22 May — 8 June 2024 (press night 29 May). 21 performances including two which are being filmed. Will be a very hot ticket.

I said under the National thread that I could envisage an immediate West End transfer, given it's such a short run at the NT. A well reviewed sold out run in the Olivier could serve it well.

It was well worth the watch. I had work colleagues who went to see it near the end of its run and really enjoyed it as well. Great to see a Manchester Liverpool Gets It First play get a London transfer. Well deserved. Hopefully it will get a warm welcome at the NT.

The Pinter is free from June unless The Hills of California extends. The Trafalgar is another option.