A laugh-out-loud, nostalgia-filled comedy with plenty of heart
On the surface, The Peaceful Hour seems like a classic culture clash turned love story – a posh southerner stepping into the unfamiliar world of Kirkby and falling for a local working-class mobile hairdresser. But Gerry Linford’s latest play is much more than that. It’s a witty, self-aware, and at times delightfully cheesy exploration of love, community, and belonging.
Tim, played by Jack Whittle, an anthropology student from the Cotswolds, finds himself thrown into the chaos of Julie’s Scouse family after a chance nightclub meeting. Having previously seen Whittle in TONY!, where his hilarious facial expressions added so much to the comedy, he brought the same expressive brilliance to this role, using his face to convey everything from awkward enthusiasm to sheer bewilderment. At first, he seems like an outsider, observing northern life as if it were a study. Yet, beneath his posh exterior, Tim is warm-hearted, enthusiastic, and genuinely interested in the people around him. The play cleverly questions class and socialism – can someone like Tim truly empathise with working-class struggles, or is he forever shaped by his privileged background?
For me, the standout performance comes from Lenny Wood as Carl. His character, fresh off a Spanish holiday, is a perfect blend of sharp writing and excellent comedic timing. The script paints Carl as an exaggerated stereotype of a Scouser returning from a package holiday – complete with sunburnt limbs, ridiculous shorts, and complaints about the beer abroad (despite drinking the hotel dry). Yet, it is Wood’s delivery that really elevates the role. His ability to land every punchline with effortless charm, combined with his natural stage presence, made Carl one of the most memorable characters of the night. The entire audience was laughing hysterically at his moments.
Beyond the laughs, the play beautifully illustrates the deep bonds of family and community. Julie’s family may be dysfunctional, but they stand by each other. You might expect that Tommy, technically an ex to Julie, would be shunned by the family after the end of their lacklustre relationship. Instead, he is still welcomed by the family as part of the household, reinforcing the idea that relationships in close-knit communities run deep and aren’t easily severed by break-ups.
The set design added to the play’s immersive feel, making the audience feel as if they had stepped into Julie’s living room in Kirkby. It had a cosy, lived-in aesthetic that reflected the family at the heart of the story. The lighting played a key role in establishing atmosphere, evoking the hours when The Peaceful Hour radio show would be on (10 pm-2 am). They created the feeling of being inside a flat in a tower block, using a concrete fence as a balcony, complete with graffiti.
For those familiar with 1980s Liverpool, the play is packed with nostalgia. As someone who wasn’t alive then, some references went completely over my head. This led to a post-show conversation with my mum, where I found myself asking, “Mum, who exactly is Scully?” and “Did Kirkby really have a ski slope in the 1970s?”. However, the classic 1980s soundtrack felt completely familiar to me, with big hits that have obviously stood the test of time.
Yes, the play indulges in cheesiness, but that’s the point. It explores how love manifests differently for different people – whether in romance, friendship, or family ties. The radio show itself, The Peaceful Hour, felt more like a backdrop to an already rich story, though older generations might have been initially drawn to the show itself due to the nostalgic appeal from the radio show.