BRICK Up the Mersey Tunnels writer Dave Kirby will be returning to the Royal Court in Liverpool next year with a football-themed show.

A stage version of his Liverpool Fc and Everton FC film Reds And Blues: The Ballad Of Dixie And Kenny, it will open at the Liverpool theatre in June.

The four leads from the movie, Paul Duckworth, Lynne Francis, Lindzi Germain and Andrew Schofield, have been secured for the Royal Court show. Also signed up are director Bob Eaton and musical director Howard Gray, who have worked on several of Kirby’s stage shows.

“After a couple of years making films, it's a great feeling coming back to live theatre at the Royal Court where I’ve enjoyed three hugely successful plays,” says Kirby, also writer of Lost Soul and Council Depot Blues.

“It’s the home and voice of Liverpool populist theatre, so I’m delighted to be heading back next summer.

“I think everyone in the city has seen the film so the musical stage show should hit the ground running. The ridicule and banter will be 50/50 with fresh gags, new threads and more songs so I anticipate a great red and blue Scouse night out laughing at and with each other – the way it should always be.”