We always know that football brings the drama. This summer a trio of shows arrive at Liverpool’s Royal Court Studio reminding us of the depth of storytelling, on and off the pitch.
From the great underdogs of Lancashire mill workers 150 years ago, to the giddying heights of Istanbul, each show is created by independent theatre companies and shows why football is always inspiring fayre.
The Giant Killers
11th – 13th July
Inspired by the true story of football’s greatest ever underdogs, The Giant Killers travels back to the early years of Association Football. A ragtag bunch of Lancashire mill workers defy all odds to become the first working class team to play in the FA Cup. Darwen FC, against a backdrop of poverty, social unrest and cotton famine provide a beacon of hope. Presented by Long Lane Theatre, this is part of a UK tour and the only Liverpool dates.
I Am Steven Gerrard
1st – 3rd August
Written by Sean McLoughlin and directed by Amy Roberts, I Am Steven Gerrard, wowed audiences at Hope Street Theatre. If you missed it the first time round, make sure you grab tickets for this one. On the face of it, this is a show about the legend of Istanbul, a hero on the pitch but, like all football stories, its roots are much deeper. I Am Steven Gerrard is a story of football, aspiration, music, Steven Gerrard, loneliness, reality TV, politics, ambition and Davina McCall. Presented by Tip Tray Theatre.
Two Cities … Half the World Away
3rd -7th September
Beyond the Line Theatre Company presents this new show written by Nicky Allt. Set in a police station during the Europa League tie at Old Trafford in 2016, two lads, a Liverpool fan and a ManUtd fan, are stopped on their way to the game and taken into custody for the non-payment of fines. Inter-city rivalry might be where they start, but the lads soon find they have more in common than they ever imagined.
READ MORE: NEW LFC MURAL OF STEVEN GERRARD UNVEILED BY SPORTENING
