The Ale House is well and truly open at The Dome Theatre at Grand Central Hall, and the hilarious comedy play has already received rave reviews, with the audience dancing in the aisles during the final each night!
Co-directors Philip Oliver and Jake Abraham have been delighted with the response so far to the site specific play, which runs until Saturday, March 19th and the Liverpool audience certainly seem to have taken it to their hearts.
This is great news for the acting pair, as this is their first foray into the world of directing, although they have many years’ acting experience between them. Phillip has starred in TV shows Brookside and Benidorm and Jake has appeared in Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, to name but a few of their performances.
They decided to stage their own version of the Ale House after starring in the comedy at St Helens Theatre Royal. The production went down a storm, so much so, that when it finished, Philip and Jake decided to go back for last orders!!
They teamed up to form their own production company Bear Ass Productions Ltd and direct their own new version of Ale House, originally written by Furlong & Powers. They have joined forces with Donna Smith, partner of the late Tony Furlong, who originally co-wrote Ale House with his friend Jimmy Powers. The team have developed the play keeping all the bits people know and love, but adding more light and shade to the storyline and characters.
Philip Olivier said:
“The comedy has been really successful so far because it’s so true to life. It portrays life in a typical boozer with all the characters and shenanigans that go on. The audience can identify with the characters and are always saying ‘I know people like that in my pub!’”
“We’ve just updated it and dragged it into the 21st century.We’ve added more emotion and embellished the love story between two lost and lonely souls.”
Jake Abraham added:
“It’s a little darker in places too. One of the characters has become quite sinister… We’ve been working with Liverpool College creating prosthetics for the characters to make them more real. And we have added more musical numbers.”
The hilarious play gives the audience a glimpse inside a local drinking establishment and the regulars who frequent it. The action is set on New Year’s Day, the day after the night before, and the shenanigans that follow will have you crying with laughter. Combined with a touching narrative and music that with have you dancing in the aisles, this is face-achingly funny show is not to be missed!
Talented actress Lindzi Germain is back behind the bar as the big hearted landlady Lucy, serving an eclectic mix of crazy characters. Meet Yogi (Philip Olivier), your typical bragging looney tune and Trevor (Jake Abraham) a Tourettes suffering war veteran with uncannily timed ticks.
Throw in Kick Off, played by George Wilson, a punch drunk bruiser, Robbo played by James McMartin with the hangover from hell, Les O’Dochartaigh as Father Flaherty, Bernie Foley as Mary and Nelly and Kivan Dene as Hawker and Les, not to mention pint guzzling old Joe played by Nick Birkinshaw, and you have a comedy mix of crazy characters you may find familiar from your local pub.
Liverpool indie rock band Space have written a piece of music to open the show and after the weekend shows, the fun will continue after hours in The Dome which will showcase local home-grown talent and live bands.
Jake said:
“There will be a late bar so we want people to make a whole night of it, and we’re hoping to convert a whole transform a new generation of people who wouldn’t normally spend a night at the theatre, into regular theatregoers!”
The Ale House team are very excited to be directing their first site specific play at The Dome, which they describe as “Liverpool’s hidden gem!”
Donna Smith said:
“We just want to get people, who may not normally go to the theatre, to enjoy an afternoon of down to earth Scouse comedy at this wonderful venue.”
Aside from giving people a great afternoon with lots of laughs, BA Productions also wants to showcase the potential of the multi-purpose performance space on Renshaw Street.
The Grade II listed building has had many uses including a Methodist Church, cinema, home of the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Barcelona bar. The building is blessed with Victorian grandeur and is now home to the alternative retail haven known as Quiggins. BA Productions has been working closely with The Dome Theatre to transform the space into an 800-seater theatre for the production and have built a spectacular set with a real working bar!
Donna explained:
“We don’t feel the space is utilised to its full potential. As well as attracting a new generation of theatregoers, we want to showcase this amazing space and welcome new talent who may be looking at venues to perform in, whether they are local bands, comedy groups or playwrights. It’s a great place to showcase up and coming talent!”
Standard tickets are priced £20 with 2-4-1 mid-week offers, plus the kind folk at BA Productions have a special offer to whet your whistle;
Community groups across Merseyside can come and enjoy an afternoon at the Ale House and watch this hilarious comedy play for just £5.
This discount offer is available on the afternoon matinee performances on Saturday March 12 and Saturday, March 19. Tickets are normally £20 but will be just £5 if booked by groups of 10 and over.
So set a date for a night at the Ale House. It’s a rip-roaring cocktail of blood, sweat, tears and pork scratchings, washed down with buckets of laughter.
Tickets are on sale from Ticketquarter. Call the box office on 0844 8000 410 or visit www.ticketquarter.co.uk