Writer: Gerry Linford
Director: Emma Bird
Gerry Linford returns to Liverpool’s Royal Court stage with the sequel to his show from last year, The Peaceful Hour 2, bringing with him his band of beloved Scouse characters. Sat in the audience, the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal while exploring Liverpool’s vibrantly staged culture can’t be missed.
This heart-warming show, and its inaugural production, is based upon the after-hours radio fixture The Peaceful Hour, which ran on Radio City for over four decades. Hosted by Pete Price, the show is constantly referenced, with Price himself providing some nostalgic voiceovers.
With Emma Bird back in the Director’s chair, The Peaceful Hour 2 sees the return of Julie (Ellie Clayton) and Tim (George Turner), focusing on the couple as they prepare for Ange and Carl’s upcoming nuptials.
Over the course of the pre-wedding night, total mayhem ensues. Julie finds herself consoling her sister Ange (Angela Simmons) as simple-minded fiancé Carl (Lenny Wood) does nothing to calm her nerves. Simmons plays Ange with fervour and intensity, delivering quick one-liners and a complete swing of emotions. Wood is a brilliant complement to her potency, presenting Carl as a bit of a dimwit but hilarious all the same.
Clayton brings a stellar sense of magnetism to Julie, a regular Sandy Dee who feels much like the glue of the show. Her vocals to the Eighties soundtrack are faultless and her chemistry with Turner’s Tim is seamless, the pair a wonderful oxymoron of Scouse profanity against verbose vocabulary.
Christopher McCourt’s set is an Eighties-filled frenzy, the neon purple backdrop layered against vintage clutter and sitcom-style dressing. With no set changes, the audience is as much a part of the family and the drama, breaths stoppered like corks when introduced to infamous local gangster Frankie, played by Nathan McMullen. McMullen dishes out a large portion of the humour, immediately diminishing the reputation the character carries by displaying a softer side.
Set in real time, the lovable rogue Tommy (Michael Hawkins) almost falls to his demise, mother Edna (Julie Glover) makes great use of a crowbar, and all the characters spend an entire night making sense of the madness that slowly descends, only to reveal a touching twist. Combine talent with Ian Scott’s lighting direction and Jamie Jenkin’s clever projections, and the production never loses its pace or charm.
The entire production is a thrill from start to finish. Intertwined with some niche references and Liverpudlian satire, it’s certainly worth a watch.
Runs until 7 March 2026
