Beating Berlusconi!

23 May 2025 - 24 May 2025

The Dome at Grand Central Hall

Cult comedy Beating Berlusconi! is set to return to the Liverpool stage to celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Liverpool FC’s Champions League triumph in Istanbul.

The hilarious smash hit show, which is inspired by a real-life encounter inside the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, will play at The Dome at Grand Central Hall on 23-24 May 2025.

The outstanding Paul Duckworth (Brick Up the Mersey Tunnels, Mam! I’m ‘Ere, Lost Soul 2, Horrible Histories, Sweeney Todd and The Big I Am) will reprise his stellar performance playing dozens of different characters. Matt Rutter, formerly the director of the Young Everyman Playhouse, also returns as Director of the 2025 production.

And not only does the strictly limited run coincide with the 20^th anniversary of Liverpool’s famous Champions League victory against AC Milan, but with the club currently at the top of the English Premier League, the show could also be taking place on the same weekend Liverpool secures the 2024-25 Premiership title.

Beating Berlusconi! tells the story of die-hard football fan Kenny Noonan who travels to Istanbul with his mates to watch his beloved Liverpool FC battle for the Champions League crown. This is one man’s attempt to rediscover his belief in himself, his club, his city – and his class.

It was inspired by the remarkable real-life experience of Liverpool fan Mark Radley who followed his team to Istanbul on 25 May 2005. Despairing at seeing Liverpool 0-3 down at half-time, Mark set off in search of a drink – only to find himself in what turned out to be an exclusive VIP area, with AC Milan President and Italy’s then PM, Silvio Berlusconi.

When Mark cheered on the Reds as they drew level in the game’s final minutes, Signor Berlusconi lost it – and things got even stranger.

Beating Berlusconi! was premiered in Liverpool in 2009 and subsequently toured, including dates in Norway. It has also been published to widespread media acclaim in Italy.