Royal Court Theatre unveils first set of shows for 2026

A brand new show telling the story of Liverpool boxing legend, John Conteh, will premiere at Liverpool’s Royal Court next Spring.

It’s one of four Liverpool stories celebrating the city’s culture that will open at the venue in the first half of 2026.

Conteh, written by Aron Julius, began as an idea backstage as the actor was starring in Boys From the Blackstuff. Chatting to co-star Mark Womack, Aron says he wanted people to remember that Conteh was a Liverpool, British and global legend. He says,

“John Conteh’s story, though too often overshadowed by controversy, struck me as one that deserved to be remembered, celebrated, and honoured for the greatness he achieved both inside and outside the ring. Writing ‘CONTEH’ became my way of making sure his legacy isn’t forgotten.”

It’s Aron’s debut play and will also Mark Womack’s debut as director.

Meanwhile, actor and comedian Laurence Clark brings together prayer, pilgrimage and proper carrying on. Cured has been commissioned by Unlimited and produced by Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre in partnership with DaDaFest.

The year opens with The Peaceful Hour 2, Gerry Linford’s Kirkby clan back by popular demand, and directed once again by Emma Bird.

Tom Connor and Mark Newnham say hello, goodbye as they get back to the Royal Court with Come Together! before it starts a UK tour.

Dates and details of the first wave of new shows are:

Conteh (17 April – 9 May)

10 years old and fighting out of a club in Kirkby. 19 years old and winning gold at the Commonwealth Games. 24 years old and becoming the light heavyweight champion of the World. But that’s only half the story.

In the 1970s and 80s, John Conteh was one of the best-known people in the city. He lived the highest of high lives and wrung every ounce of pleasure from his sporting success. A friend to many, perhaps too many, and some were quick to take advantage.

Aron Julius (Boys From The Blackstuff) has written and stars in this incredible blow by blow drama about the life of one of Liverpool’s sporting greats. A mix of sporting and personal highs and lows, you will understand him like never before.

Conteh. Knock out.

Find out more here.

Cured (22 May – 6 June)

For some people, a pilgrimage to Lourdes is an opportunity for prayer, contemplation and quiet self-reflection. But for Connor Fisher, a young, wheelchair-using scally,  it’s just a chance to get his leg over!

After lying his way onto the trip in order to pursue Rose, a woman he meets in the queue for a disability benefit reassessment, he proceeds to lead his fellow pilgrims astray. There’s Bernie who has recently become disabled and is searching for that ever-elusive miracle; and then there’s Callum who speaks with a voice synthesiser and always has a witty put-down up his sleeve.

But thanks to Connor’s influence, before long they end up doing pretty much everything Catholics hate! 

Join them for this brand new play by local writer and comedian Laurence Clark. It has been commissioned by Unlimited and produced by Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre in partnership with DaDaFest. An R&D project supported by Unlimited, celebrating the work of disabled artists, with funding from Arts Council England.

Find out more here.

The Peaceful Hour 2 (6 February – 7 March)

A Nice Day For A… Scouse Wedding

It only seems like last year that Julie and Tim first met but now they are preparing for a wedding. It’s not their wedding though, it’s Ange and Carl who are finally tying the knot. They’ve got everything that they need to be together forever. Love, trust, honesty and a dress with those puffy sleeves like Charlene off Neighbours.

It’s the night before the wedding and the lads are out on the stag while Julie and Edna are giving Ange a proper pamper. The problems begin when the stag do comes home early bringing chaos in its wake in the form of a local gangster with a point to prove.

Gerry Linford and Emma Bird team up once again to bring joy to the winter months.

Find out more here.

Come Together (13 March – 28 March)

Get Back to Liverpool’s Royal Court to catch Come Together before it embarks on a UK Tour. Tom Connor and Mark Newnham co-write and perform as they offer audiences a glimpse into the songwriting process that stood Lennon and McCartney apart from their peers.

A show that wowed audiences in 2024, Come Together takes us from their meeting at a garden fete in Woolton, to a rooftop on Savile Row through an all acoustic rock-umentary.

A new show at Liverpool’s Royal Court will give audiences a glimpse of the songwriting process that stood . Written by two performers, who have performed in shows at the theatre, ‘Come Together’ explores the songwriting journey, from their meeting at a garden fete in Woolton in 1957 all the way to The End.

‘Come Together’ is written by Tom Connor and Mark Newnham, who first met at the Royal Court when they performed in Lennon in 2013. The idea for this show was started then. As a small acoustic rock-umentary.

Singing with a live band, Mark and Tom perform iconic Lennon-McCartney hits including Love Me Do, Yesterday, A Day In The Life, Strawberry Fields Forever, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds and more.

Find out more here.