Liverpool’s Royal Court is on a slippery slope to success with Taking The Piste—a brilliantly written, laugh-out-loud local comedy.
Taking the Piste is yet another triumph for Liverpool’s Royal Court. A brilliantly written comedy inspired by one of Merseyside’s most unbelievable true stories- the truth is sometimes madder than fiction! From the opening scene to the final curtain, the show keeps the audience laughing with sharp dialogue, memorable characters and well-judged comedic timing.
Kieran Lynn’s script is impressive- the writing is witty, fast-paced and packed with laugh-out-loud moments, but it simultaneously tells a compelling story about greed and the consequences of putting personal gain before honesty and integrity.
The standout performances came from the wonderfully dysfunctional pairing of corrupt councillor Donald Storm (Paul Duckworth) and his submissive partner-in-crime, builder Geoff Ditchwater (Michael Starke). Their relationship provides some of the show’s biggest laughs, with slapstick-style exchanges, and perfectly timed comments that had the audience giggling. Duckworth and Starke share good comic chemistry, combining physical comedy with sharp dialogue to create quite the comedic duo.
Equally enjoyable was the dynamic duo of journalists, Elliot and Hayley (Derek Whitaker and Kelly White), whose determination to uncover the truth and hold those in power to account provided the counterbalance to Storm and Geoff’s downhill schemes. They become the audience’s eyes and ears throughout the story, championing honesty and the public interest while driving the plot forward with warmth, determination and a little romance.
The soundtrack was packed with banging tunes that perfectly captured the spirit of the era, the music added more energy to the production. Every song felt well placed, keeping the atmosphere buzzing and complementing the action on stage well.
The staging deserves special praise. The revolving set allowed the production to move effortlessly between the three principal locations; the ski slope, the pub and the Liverpool Echo office, without interrupting the pace of the story. It allowed seamless transitions that kept everything flowing and gave the production a cinematic quality. At times, the revolving stage created the effect of a film-style montage, allowing different scenes and storylines to unfold in rapid succession. It was a clever piece of stagecraft that elevated the production and demonstrated just how inventive live theatre can be.
What makes Taking the Piste so brilliant is that it doesn’t rely solely on easy laughs. Beneath the comedy lies a fascinating slice of local history and a satirical look at power, corruption, idiocy and civic pride. The play is unmistakably Scouse in its humour and heart, but its themes are universal.
This is exactly the kind of production Liverpool’s Royal Court does best: funny, smart, locally rooted and brilliantly entertaining. With enthusiastic performances, superb writing, and a story that’s almost too unbelievable to be true, Taking the Piste was one of the most enjoyable evenings I’ve had at the theatre in a long time. I left the theatre smiling, and humming the soundtrack. If you want to get yourself down- Taking the Piste is at Liverpools’ Royal Court until the 18th of July 2026.