This is our review of Lost Soul 2: Smigger’s Wrecked Head at Liverpool‘s Royal Court Theatre!
Synopsis Of Lost Soul 2: Smigger’s Wrecked Head
Smigger is your typical Scouser who fondly reminisces about the 1970s; so much so, he’s practically still there! But life moves on, and the clearest example concerns the birth of his first granddaughter. He Smigger feels sorrow that Amy is all grown up (don’t ask who the dad is, it’s one of four options). But worse for Smigger is that his longtime wife Donna spends all of her time helping to look after the baby. Therefore, Smigger feels left behind, especially when close friends Terry and Pat head out to the Soul Train Club every Saturday.
So, Smigger decides that he’s not missing out and starts heading out every Saturday night himself. But this angers Donna, who insists that Smigger has to move with the times and accept that things have changed. Unrepentant and increasingly agitated, Smigger decides that he needs some space, and thus takes a break from normal life. In the meantime, though, there’s a growing concern about Amy’s fella Charlie, who seems a bit of a scally. Amidst the family drama and the longing for the good old days, can Smigger fix his wrecked head? And will his family ever return to how things were?
Analysis Of Lost Soul 2: Smigger’s Wrecked Head
Dave Kirby has a show here that perfectly suits his writing style. There are tons of laughs and local one-liners (if you’re at the Adelphi or live in St Helens, watch out!). The story is very easy to follow and has numerous twists and turns to keep the audience guessing. At the heart of the plot is a strong message that at times goes close to the knuckle. But on the whole, it’s a warm and hilarious story with plenty of moments for the crowd to remember. That’s largely due to the exceptional cast, all of whom are Royal Court regulars.
As usual, Andrew Schofield is ideal to play Smigger, mixing deadpan jokes with daft dancing and a likeable charm. Meanwhile, Lindzi Germain is brilliant as Donna, a role that many mothers watching could relate to. Paul Duckworth and Catherine Rice play their roles well, and have some great moments, especially in the second half. Furthermore, there is plenty of Scouse self-awareness humour from Jennifer Hynes and Michael Hawkins as Amy and Charlie. Look out for the scene where there’s an overload of the word “lad” to hilarious effect. And not forgetting Lenny Wood, the seemingly simple barman who proves that appearances are deceiving as he almost steals the show.
Summary Of Lost Soul 2: Smigger’s Wrecked Head
In many ways, this is the prototypical show for Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre. For a Scouse-themed production, this show has it all, ranging from parodying the accent to providing a snapshot of Pontin’s. (RIP Southport Pontin’s, by the way.) Oh, and there are loads of classic hits from the 1970s, which always has the audience singing along. The show runs for a few more weeks, and I provide a strong encouragement for you to see it … lad!
