Liverpool Arts: THEATRE REVIEW: Reds and Blues, Royal Court

A SUPERB illustration of Merseyside humour was displayed during a full musical version of smash hit comedy film Reds And Blues – The Ballad Of Dixie And Kenny.

Renowned Liverpool playwright Dave Kirby’s latest play at the Royal Court was crammed with razor sharp wit and a constant stream of gags which are sure to please supporters from both sides of Stanley Park.

Kirby took the simple tale of a typical Blue family who just happens to live next door to a clan of avid Reds headed by Kenny (Andrew Schofield).

The tale begins with fanatical Evertonian Dixie (performed by Paul Duckworth), who arrives to stay at his Blues supporting sister’s house.

Kenny hopes to celebrate the anniversary of the Reds’ fifth European Cup victory in his front garden which the Blues are out to spoil. But both sets of fans declare war and the banter begins.

Some of the humour involved smutty insults, but it is dished out in equal measure so both fans don’t feel singled out.

The humour was brilliantly delivered and raising the roof were one liners such as Kenny’s underpants being “tighter than (Everton chairman) Bill Kenwright” and Kenny labelling Toffees fans as the affectionate Welsh term “boyo”.

Dixie’s was equally as amusing with his branding of all Liverpool fans as “Norwegian wools”.

Alan Stocks appeared as an eccentric Irish priest and Gwladys (Lindzi Germain) and Annie (Lynn Francis) were both class with their ridiculing of each other to the tune Que Sera Sera.

Annie boast “We beat you at Wembley” yet Gwladys didn’t care because the Reds lost their “cup in May”.

Young Red TJ Jones was charismatic and Stevie and cheeky child Blue Joseph Edwards (as Ronaldo) gave fine performances.

The play came into its own when the protagonists singing and rapping duels reached fever pitch.

For Kenny the party is all about his five times rap.

He belted out: “Get ready to do the five times rap.

“I was blitzed in Paris, blitzed in Rome, Blitzed at Wembley when we were at home.

“De de de de derr!”

An irreverent Dixie, however, is content for Kenny kiss his “Big blue hairy moon”.

The musical spectacular will have Merseyside’s football masses laughing until they are blue or red in the face.