THE SALON Books In To The Epstein Theatre

Liverpool ladies love their locks - and the secrets of the salon are about to be revealed thanks to the return of Drew Quayle's hit comedy to the city stage.

Regal Entertainments' production of The Salon is set to come to the Epstein Theatre following a popular run at St Helens Theatre Royal. It is guaranteed to cause laughter lines aplenty when it comes to the Hanover Street venue from Monday 21 - Saturday 26 May.

The show's stellar cast includes TOWIE's Harry Derbidge, Radio City's Leanne Campbell, Blood Brothers and Rita, Sue and Bob Too! star Olivia Sloyan and Brookside and Benidorm's Philip Olivier. Completing the line-up is Brookside's Sarah White and Emmerdale's Peter Amory.

TOWIE favourite Harry Derbidge makes a flamboyant return to tread the boards after delighting audiences with his hysterical performance as PC Noodle in the 2016 St Helens Christmas panto Aladdin.

Radio City breakfast host Leanne Campbell is always an audience favourite. She played Carol in The Salon at St Helens Theatre Royal in 2011, and is well-known to Liverpool audiences through her many panto appearances and other stage roles.

Olivia Sloyan's theatre credits include Princess Jasmine in Aladdin, and both Linda and Brenda in Blood Brothers, and Sue in Rita, Sue and Bob Too!

Liverpool's Philip Olivier spent seven years playing Tinhead in Brookside. Stage appearances include Yogi in The Ale House at St Helens Theatre Royal and The Dome in Liverpool, and Dirty Harry in the UK tour of Never Forget.

Sarah White is best known as Bev McLoughlin in Brookside, where her dramatic storylines saw her have a baby with her boyfriend's son. Her stage appearances include Margy in The Morris at the Liverpool Everyman, Rita in three UK tours of Naked Truth, and Deborah in Mums.

And while he's known to audiences as Emmerdale's Chris Tate, Peter Amory has an impressive theatre pedigree, with roles including John in Don't Look Now, Gordon in Neville's Island and Bill in An Evening With Gary Lineker.

For those that want perfect nails, a relaxing massage or a perfect perm then there are plenty of places to go, but for jealousy, bitchiness and gossip look no further than 'Curl Up and Dye'.

The average day at this hair and beauty salon involves shouting, crying and singing, with the odd beauty treatment thrown in for good measure. Carol, Sheila and Tia are trying to deal with customers while all around them their lives are blown about like a loose 'set' in a high wind.

Carol wants to find true love, Tia wants to be a pop star and Sheila just wants a toy boy. Mix in a camp-as-Christmas boss, a plastic gangster who is trying to take over the salon, a hysterical drama queen, and a whole lot of vodka, and it all adds up to a brilliantly funny night out.

The show was originally produced by Regal Entertainments for St Helens Theatre Royal in 2009 and was so well received it went on to Liverpool's Royal Court for a four-week run. It then returned for another dose of hilarity in St Helens in 2011, and most recently in November 2017.

Rebekah Pichilingi, Epstein Theatre Manager, said: "The Salon was a real crowd-pleaser when it was last staged in Liverpool, and it's proved a smash-hit with theatregoers in St Helens, so we know Epstein audiences are going to love it.

"I can guarantee anyone who books a ticket is going to have a great night out."

Producer Chantelle Nolan added: "I'm absolutely delighted that we're able to take The Salon back to Liverpool, and to stage it at the brilliant Epstein Theatre.

"Liverpool audiences famously love their comedy, and Drew Quayle's script is absolutely hilarious. And of course, we've also got a great cast of talented actors. I for one can't wait."

Tickets are on sale now. Cast is subject to change.

For more details check out www.epsteinliverpool.co.uk and join our mailing list. Follow us on Facebook www.facebook.com/EpsteinTheatre and twitter @EpsteinTheatre

The Epstein Theatre (formerly known as The Neptune) was originally opened as Crane's Music Hall in 1911, and was a popular location for recitals and performances. It was renamed Crane Theatre in 1938. In 1967 the theatre was purchased from the Cranes by Liverpool Corporation, who decided that the theatre should be run by local people for local people and was named The Neptune Theatre. The Neptune also became a Comedy Club and after many years of uncertainty about the future of the theatre, it eventually closed in 2005. In July 2011, a £1million refurbishment of the theatre was completed which saw the Hanover Street venue brought up to 21st century standards and renamed 'The Epstein Theatre' in honour of former Beatles manager Brian Epstein, who guided the Fab Four from popular cellar act to global superstardom. The management contract was up for tender and was won by the well-established team behind Liverpool's annual Sound City Music Festival. The Theatre was officially opened on Wed 9th May 2012. Now an independent company Epstein Theatre Ltd, the venue has grown to become of the key venues for arts and live entertainment in the city with a strong programme of comedy, plays, live music and children's productions. The venue can also be hired out for private functions, weddings and conferences.

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