The Stage

Brick Up - The Wirral Strikes Back

Published Wednesday 8 September 2010 at 17:46 by Chris High

Before any show opens its doors to the public, it has to be as close to faultless as possible.

However, poor lighting, dodgy sound, clunky scene changes and two-dimensional caricatures make Brick Up - The Wirral Strikes Back a play that can only be described as deeply disappointing and, like Carry On film fans unfortunate enough to see Columbus, an audience that pays to see a show with such an iconic comedy-musical connection deserves more.

Despite a scenario that has great opportunity to demonstrate comic revenge, basic technology lets it all down. For long periods, the sound makes much of what is being said and sung indecipherable and when the lighting fails to spotlight actors, or is so out of sync with the action the audience gets lost, you’re asking for trouble.

There are some bright moments. The cast members work hard to keep it all together and Kris Mochrie as Ben exhibits his undoubted comic talents with two beautifully-crafted parodies. Emma Nowell as Anthea all but steals the show with her transformation from Wirral Posh to Liverpool Scally.

However, the original show, Brick Up The Mersey Tunnels, seen by more than 120,000 people over four runs in Liverpool - and also written by Nicky Allt along with Dave Kirby - generates such a strong image in the minds of Merseyside audiences, any attempt at writing a sequel has to be nigh on perfect.

Sadly, Brick Up - The Wirral Strikes Back, as it stands at the moment, is far from perfection and you can only wonder at the wisdom of producers who permit press nights to coincide with opening nights.