Shankly stage recreation back for a fortnight

Oct 2 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

Sandy West as Bill Shankly _320

THE Shankly Show returns to Liverpool tomorrow night after a sensational debut earlier in the year.

The acclaimed play premiered with a one-off night at the Olympia in April, and now comes to the Royal Court for a two-week run.

Sandy West is the man with the unenviable task of becoming the legendary Liverpool manager, returning to the role that became his thanks to a dramatic last-minute substitution.

He was drafted in just days before first night, when the original actor dropped out.

He says: “It was quite scary because I knew it was a big task, but it was a good script, he was a smashing character – and it’s my job.

“Having read it, I just knew there was something in it. I thought ‘what would Shankly do?’ – and he’d go for it.”

A character actor of some 30 years’ experience, Glasgow-born Sandy is looking forward to reprising the role of Shankly, aiming to do more than just a passable impersonation with all the infamous catchphrases.

“I just wanted to capture the spirit of the man,” he says.

“Obviously he’s got a very distinctive voice but the first thing to get is the passion and character right, then the voice follows.”

Andrew Sherlock, writer and director of The Shankly Show, said: “It’s fantastic to bring it into the city centre.

“The Olympia was one of the most emotional and memorable nights I’ve ever had in theatre.

“We knew it was a good show, and sometimes you just touch a nerve.

“It is a powerful, emotive story of a football fanatic and also the difficulties that came of that and how it cost him personally.”

This time the script has been slightly changed – to make way for more Shankly.

“And since I’ve been here,” Sandy says with glee, “Liverpool have been unbeaten in three games. Unbeaten! So maybe Shankly has returned . . .”

THE Shankly Show is on at the Royal Court from tomorrow night until October 18.

vickyanderson@dailypost.co.uk