Red or Dead – Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool

Writer: David Peace

Adaptor/Director: Phillip Breen

Red or Dead at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre is a theatrical adaptation of David Peace’s 2013 novel, celebrating the life and legacy of legendary Liverpool FC manager Bill Shankly. Directed by Phillip Breen, this semi-musical production captures Shankly’s journey from transforming Liverpool FC into a football powerhouse to his life after retirement. The play intertwines humour, tragedy, and passion, showcasing Shankly’s dedication to his team and his socialist ideals. With iconic moments like the first rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone” by the Kop, this heartfelt tribute is a must-see for football fans and theatre enthusiasts alike.

Max Jones’ stripped back and stark set design showcases the full size of the Royal Court’s theatre – its vast openness and scaffolding helps create the feeling of The Kop ensuring the action much like the game it portrays is firmly centre stage. Ian Scott’s lighting design brings an edgy almost rock gig feel to proceedings – and with its cleverly choreographed movement, seems to give the play a cinematic edge.

The show boasts a massive cast – 12 professional actors and a 52 piece community chorus, fills the stage at every possible moment. Its hard not to be blown away by the sheer scale and magnitude of it all – director Breen has a mammoth task in ensuring that the action is fluid and perfectly choreographed to ensure as much clarity as possible. On the whole this works brilliantly, however sometimes the professional cast are overshadowed by the continuous use of the community chorus – and it isn’t really until the second act that the professional cast are allowed the space to breathe and bring more depth to proceedings – its in this act where Peter Mullan, really shines – his portrayal of Shankly is nothing short of theatrical brilliance, he captures the sprit and the character of the man with a confident assurance that is rarely seen in such a way on the Roe Street venue.

Excellent support is given by Paul Duckworth and Les Dennis but it is Dickon Tyrrell’s portrayal of Bob Paisley which compliments Mullan’s performance perfectly – this is a partnership that was paired with precision.

Red or Dead is a homage to the city, it’s a love note to a man that changed Liverpool Football Club and it’s a genius move by the theatre’s management which will help change its position in the theatrical leagues moving forward – this is the type of theatre the city has been crying for, and one can’t wait to see what other tricks are in the Roe Street venues gamebook moving forward.

Runs until 19^th April 2025