Council Blues play from the heart

Nov 3 2008 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

IT’S been a year of highs for city playwright Dave Kirby. It began with the third successful outing for Brick Up the Mersey Tunnels, which he co-wrote, his first solo work Lost Soul came back for a second run, and this week marks the start of his latest play, Council Depot Blues.

As ever, it tells the tale of real Liverpool folk with all the laughter and emotion that has become Kirby’s trademark.

Inspired by his own experiences as a council employee, the ensemble piece follows a group of workers including Stan, who is marking his last day in the department.

With a cast of the Royal Court’s now familiar faces, including Andrew Schofield and Paul Broughton, the play also marks a return to acting from Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star Jake Abrahams.

“I’m writing for the people, not myself, for what I believe are the right reasons – to bring joy into people’s lives,” Kirby said.

“Council Depot Blues is probably closer to my heart than anything I’ve done up to now.

“I’ve been these people and I am that audience, I know what makes them laugh and cry.

“I just love my job now – then, I absolutely detested it. I’m so glad to have written this and got it off my chest.

“When I was at the council, there wasn’t a day go by when we said ‘I’ve got to get out of this place’. People were desperate to get out.

“You met so many old guys who castigated the industry but when it came to retiring they were heartbroken – they’d been institutionalised.”

Kirby himself worked for the council for many years, in the building and maintenance department.

He began toying with the set-up for Council Depot Blues ten years ago.

“My dad knew all the characters I was writing about and would laugh his head off, and I was so looking forward to him seeing it,” he said. “He passed away on Christmas Eve and it’s one of my biggest regrets he won’t see it.”

COUNCIL Depot Blues is on at the Royal Court until November 29.

vickyanderson