The Legend of Rooney’s Ring is on at the Royal Court Theatre until August 23
Hannah Rees joined the newsroom as the Liverpool ECHO’s newsletter lead in 2021 after graduating from Liverpool John Moores University with a master’s degree in Journalism. She is now the Liverpool ECHO’s social media editor.
The Legend Of Rooney’s Ring – From left, Liam Tobin, Lindzi Germain, Emma Grace Arends, Keddy Sutton, John May, Latesha karisa, Adam McCoy (Image: Andrew AB Photography)
A Lord of the Rings-esque panto about Wayne and Coleen Rooney’s love story? I thought I’d gone mad when I read into the new stage show, The Legend of Rooney’s Ring. But with laugh-out-loud moments, a hilarious cast and a plot twist I doubt any of the audience saw coming, it surprisingly works. The Legend of Rooney’s Ring is at the Royal Court Theatre until August 23.
From Steven Gerrard to Speedo Mick, the tales of well-known Scousers have influenced a variety of stage shows across Liverpool. Now, one of the writers of BBC show Motherland, Helen Serafinowicz, has shaped Wayne and Coleen’s decades long relationship into a theatrical fairytale spoof.
The show is directed by Stephen Fletcher, who recently directed the Liverpool Everyman production of Shirley Valentine.
The show starts with a group of peasants searching for a ring with metal detectors. The group is led by Nana who becomes the narrator of this love story. Keddy Sutton is absolutely hilarious as Nana. She gives a superb performance, taking the audience on a journey using a sharp humour that only a local crowd might get.
Unforgivable star John May is Wayne, a warrior equipped with a fake six pack and strawberry blonde bob who only has eyes for one fair maiden, C’leen, played by Emma-Grace Arends.
Lindzi Germain and Liam Tobin, who you might recognise from their performances in Scouse Red Riding Hood and Scouse Dick Whittington, star as Queen Colette and King Tony – C’leen’s parents.
The Legend Of Rooney’s Ring John May as our hero Wayne(Image: Credit Andrew AB Photography)
It all seems like your typical fairytale love story. Young couple Wayne and C’leen fall in love, get engaged and plan to get married. Until, a huge twist.
Trump, the villain in this stage show, arrives and wants one thing – the engagement ring. Terry Mynott is in the role and gives a comical performance as the odd edition to this tale.
Since this is a mythical story, Trump puts a curse on Wayne and the warrior becomes irresistible to every woman he meets. And from there, the audience watches as Wayne desperately tries to reclaim the affections of his one true love, C’leen.
The cast were great. They were quick-witted, energetic and interacted well with the audience when it came to the traditional panto-participation.
Latesha Karisa, Lindzi Germain, Terry Mynott in The Legend of Rooney’s Ring(Image: Andrew AB Photography)
With the Dingle ladies and other Scouse references, the humour was exactly what you wanted from a show set in the Kingdom of Liverpool. The audience were in stitches throughout the night – possibly aided by the pints of Wayne Brew-ney on draft.
The show featured snippets of songs from Katy Perry to Sia – which had members of the audience swaying along. By the end of the show, the audience was invited to get on their feet and close the evening with a dance. It was a great way to end an enjoyable evening filled with Scouse satire, belly laughs and Trump.
Information on how to book can be found here.