A Thong For Europe – Royal Court, Liverpool

Writer: Jonathan Harvey

Director: Stephen Fletcher

You would have to be living the life of a hermit to not know that starting next week Eurovision madness will be kicking off here in the heart of Merseyside. With the annual music competition being hosted on behalf of the Ukraine, it’s no surprise to see the Roe Street venue sprinkle their own unique blend of comedy madness into the musical mix.

In Waterloo, Lulu (Lindzi Germain) has just buried her Eurovision-loving mother Stephanie (Eithne Browne), a week before the big final. With the threat of a lifetime of haunting, Lulu promises her mother’s ghost that she will scatter her ashes on the main stage during the competition, but how will she get past security and how can she make the promise to her mother happen?

With the help from Terry (Andro Cowperthwaite) a dressmaker who just happens to be designing Sonia’s (yes that one) dress for the evening and Beryl from Balkania (Emma Bispham) things may just work out, even if some life-changing moments may happen along the way.

Director Stephen Fletcher keeps things moving, however, there is certainly room for some cutting to make the 1st half a little shorter. That said, there are some great set pieces including an excellently conceived helicopter ride across the city, which showcases Jamie Jenkins’ video design and Jocelyn Meal’s set design brilliantly. The second half is a lot tighter and allows for the show to really take flight, not only comically but also musically and allows some real pathos to anchor proceedings.

It goes without saying that Lindzi Germain and Eithne Browne give strong performances, two Royal Court stalwarts that always deliver the goods and in A Thong For Europe that run of powerhouse performances continue. In the role of Beryl, Bispham is a delight, a cross between a Liverpudlian cabaret singer and Nessa Jenkins from Gavin and Stacey. Strong support is given by Cowperthwaite as Terry and Gemma Dobson as choreographer extraordinaire Pippa. It is however Keddy Sutton who steals the limelight, in a hilarious mixture of smaller roles, from screechy Sonia, Security Guard – Pat MaBackFat, and a brilliant scouse dad Billy.

Music under the direction of George Francis sounds great and the song choices not only allow the cast to showcase their vocal talents, but they don’t overstay their welcome. Likewise, the Eurovision hits that feature, don’t feel shoehorned in and unlike many jukebox musicals actually move the story along.

You might not be a Eurovision fan (if truth be told this reviewer isn’t) but don’t let that put you off from going along as Fletcher and Harvey’s production hits all the right notes and ensures that music and laughter in a celebration of all things Eurovision rings out onto the streets of Liverpool.

Runs until 27 May 2023