The Peaceful Hour 2
- Heather Edwards
- 1 minute ago
- 2 min read
Gerry Linford
Royal Court, Liverpool
Royal Court, Liverpool
February 11-March 7, 2026; 2 hrs
Liverpool’s Royal Court theatre prides itself on its relevance to the local community. Even to its switchboard’s recorded message – “If you would like to speak to the box office chuck, press one.”
So, can something firmly rooted in Scouse culture appeal to we “foreigners”? In the case of The Peaceful Hour 2, the answer is yes - but with a few caveats.
This new play follows on, surprise surprise, as Cilla might have said, from The Peaceful Hour which premiered at this time last year. It has the same writer, Gerry Linford, and the same director, Emma Bird, and it is performed by most of the original cast.
Set in the 1980s, we are now a year on from when Kirby hairdresser Julie got together with anthropology student Tim, from the Cotswolds.
Preparations are underway for the wedding of Julie’s sister Ange and her dopey boyfriend Carl. Things don’t go according to plan. Interfering family members and the accidental swap of “Townie Tim’s” camera equipment for a bagful of drugs and cash lead to all sorts of problems.
Ellie Clayton plays a most engaging Julie and demonstrates the best singing voice in the production. Julie Glover is a convincing Edna, mother of the bride, complete with purple velour tracksuit and an inclination to seize whatever opportunity presents itself. Nathan McMullen, new to the cast, plays Frankie, a would-be - but not very worrying - drug baron; a good comedic turn.
Best in show, however, is Lenny Wood, looking like Neil Morrisey in Men Behaving Badly but with even worse hair. He starts out as a "complete ****” but by the end we all love him: often true of Scousers, you might find.
The characters verge on being stereotypical, and while this might be fun and acceptable to a local audience, might it feel patronising to Liverpudlians watching away from home; easier to laugh at oneself than to have others laugh at you.
There are plenty of in-jokes and references, delivered with a strong accent, which at times can be detrimental to the understanding of we outsiders, though not to our enjoyment. For instance, the Peaceful Hour refers to an iconic radio programme on Radio City, broadcast for many years between 10pm-2am, playing mood music and listeners’ romantic requests. This is bound to resonate more with those people familiar with it, but doesn't stop others from recognising what it was about.
The fact that Tim is an anthropologist is a clever device that from time to time allows him and the audience to observe this strange tribe from Merseyside at a distance. His “lost” camera equipment was needed to record a documentary.
This production has its faults and its good points. The first act has a weak, almost juvenile start. Some of the accents and touch points aren't understandable except to ears already in the know. Some of the characters are strong, others unmemorable. But whether you are a Scouser or not, there is much here to enjoy.
More info and tickets here
