Les Dennis, Gordon Kennedy and Allison McKenzie are among the cast announced for Red or Dead, the adaptation of David Peace’s iconic novel. Peter Mullan has already been announced as Bill Shankly.
The show runs from 21 Mar 2025 – 19 Apr 2025 and has been adapted by the stage and directed by Philip Breen. This is the fictionalised story of one man, Bill Shankly and his work and of his life after that work. A man of two halves.
George Jones (Eastenders, The Mousetrap, Homebaked: The Musical) will play Ian St John
Matthew Devlin (Gwed, Little Boy Blue) will play Kevin Keegan
Les Dennis (Coronation Street, Death in Paradise, Moving On) will play various LFC Chairman
Paul Duckworth (Backbeat, The Netherley Hillbillies) will play Eamonn Andrews and Roy Plomley
Keith Fleming (Macbeth, Outlander, The Railway Man) is Jock Stein and Jimmy McInne.
Gordon Kennedy (Robin Hood, The Halcyon, Final prayer) is Matt Busby
Oliver Mawdsley (Boys From the Blackstuff) Joe Fagan, Emlyn Hughes and other players
Allison McKenzie (Line of Duty, The RSC) Ness Shankly
Peter Mullan (Ozark, Rings of Power, Westworld) Bill Shankly
Liam Powell-Berry (Boys From the Blackstuff, Moving On) Phil Taylor and Ron Yeats
Dickon Tyrrell (Law & Order, The Trials of Tony Blair) Bob Paisley
Jhanaica Van Mook (Sweet Charity, Carrie) Cilla
All other parts will be played by the cast.
Brought to Liverpool from Preston to fire the red heat of a revolution, Bill Shankly had one aim. To build Liverpool Football Club up and up until they were invincible.
Promotion, the first division title, the FA Cup and success in Europe all followed as Shankly defined what it was to be a Liverpool fan. He demanded total loyalty from his players and coaches. A loyalty that he hoped would be repaid when he retired.
Adapted and directed by Philip Breen (Royal Shakespeare Company, Clwyd Theatr Cymru) this will be the World premiere of an epic show that will encapsulate the story of a Liverpool legend, who did much to define the passion of the modern game.
The show will feature a Community Company of people from Liverpool to perform as part of the narrative.
For more information and tickets, please visit liverpoolsroyalcourt.com/main_stage/red-or-dead.
