A Fistful Of Collars – The Royal Court, Liverpool

Writer: Fred Lawless

Director: Bob Eaton

Reviewer: Helen Patrick

The Public Reviews Rating:

Have you ever wondered why when you take your dry cleaning into the shop it takes at least 3 or 4 days before you can have it back? Well ‘A Fistful of Collars’ will show you exactly why and believe me it has nothing to do with the process required for cleaning clothes!

This fast paced comedy written by the ever imaginative Fred Lawless and faultlessly executed once again by the ever popular director Bob Eaton, will have you aching in laughter from beginning to end.

Sisters Eileen & Pat are the owners of a local dry cleaning business and are struggling to keep afloat, whilst the owner of the building wants more rent than the sisters can afford. But the problems don’t end there, with many twists and turns this is a play that farces are made of.

Mark Walters set design is superb, with a unique eye for detail from the run down building, steam press, hanging rails and broken machinery, not to mention the pinnacle of every good farce, lots of doors. The costume designs again are what one would expect to see including of course Coleen Rooney’s trademark Ugg boots and fuchsia pink tracksuit. A simple and unobtrusive lighting design by Ian Scott meant things technically could move without being a distraction to the rest of the performance.

However despite all the good elements in the play of which there are many, a 4 minute set change didn’t seem to help. Instead it slowed the action down and drag, despite showing a film of a day at the races, which did nothing to move the plot forward or add any dramatic impact.

The casting at the Royal Court seems to stick to a well oiled formula; one that brings the cream of Merseyside’s comedy acting talents together, which creates a wonderful on stage chemistry by all involved. Eithne Browne returns to show exactly why she got the name ‘Queen of Liverpool’ bringing a stunning comic turn in the role of Eileen. Pauline Daniels as Pat brings her own sparkle and dry sense of humour to the role.

Special credit must also be given to Lindzi Germain (Leona) and Lenny Wood( Billy) who between them carried off some of the funniest moments of the play with ease, bringing the theatre into riotous laughter.

Even though ‘A Fistful of Collars’ may not be Fred Lawless’ finest play, The Royal Court pull out all the stops to make sure you have an excellent night out, but it makes you leave with a huge smile on your face, and a body full of aching stomach muscles from so much laughing.