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 Helen who 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! 

Kirkby can be the town of the future! A symbol of regeneration in the 1970s! You know what Kirkby needs? A ski slope… Donald Storm is head of Kirkby Council and he’s got an eye on creating a new destination for tourists from around the world. And if he can make a few bob in the process, so much the better. Together with his mate Geoff, a builder who may as well wear a ten-gallon hat, he hatches a plan to use taxpayers' money to build a ski slope right next to the M57. Well, I suppose it’s handy for skiing into town. Standing in their way are a trainee journalist from the Liverpool Echo and her burnt out supervisor. Between them, they take on Don, the council and even the Echo itself by setting up a new free press so they can speak their minds. Kieran Lynn has written a brand new comedy about one of the wildest chapters in Merseyside history. It’s all downhill from here!

Have you ever forensically over-thought your life choices? Are they all somehow connected to a passing comment your Spanish teacher made when you were 15? Has it impacted everything from your love life to your career? Following sold-out shows across the UK, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and Soho Theatre, Celya AB (One of the most gifted joke writers of her age - Chortle) is back with a new show with her brand of exceptional, not to mention impressively original (British Comedy Guide) jokes and sharp observations. This is a show about breaking free from shame, and what ensues when you do.

Shelly’s a County Road girl, born and bred, through and through. Once upon a time, she had it all – the looks, the talent, the fire in her belly. But now she’s forty-something, and life’s all gone a bit… naff. Work is fine, her mates are sound, and her hubby Mick is always there when she needs him, but something’s missing.  She knows deep down, she was born to be singer. Back in the day – before she was Mick’s missus – she had a song and a dream. This isn't how her story ends... there’s still a song in her – and it’s dying to be heard. Anthony next doorstep thinks Shelly's got what it takes to make it… so he’s entered her into 'The Next Big Thing' (like Pop Idol, but less fake tears and glitter). Could Shelly really swap the streetlamps of County Road for the spotlights of stardom? Or is she destined to save her singing talents for a once-in-a-blue moon karaoke night down at The Black Horse? She just might be the best Country & Western singer the North West’s ever seen – better than Dolly Garston, better than Garth TueBrooks, and definitely better than Manc Williams. Come and join Shelley on her journey from Wavertree to Tennessee (or thereabouts) in Adam McCoy’s brand-new comedy. We’ll have you laughing and singing until the cowboys come home!

Teresa and Elaine are young, beautiful and full of life. But they don’t think that will last long, because it’s 1985 and this is Kirkby. Sergei and Peter are fresh off the boat and revelling in being away from the Soviet Union. Liverpool has opened their eyes. Teresa is looking for sex and a smile, Elaine wants love, romance and the dream of a life far away from the grime of Liverpool. All of them have the chance to forget their lives and live their dreams for one glorious night. This brand new show is Frank Clarke’s stage adaptation of his stunning film which has been described as “having done more than perhaps any other film before or since in putting Liverpool on the cinematic map.” A Liverpool love story that promises to be an instant classic. Don’t miss the boat.

Witness the impossible true survival story of Titanic Stoker Frederick Barrett. Working in the boiler rooms of the maiden voyage, Barrett’s fight for survival is one of the most devastating accounts of Titanic’s last few hours. BOILER ROOM SIX gives a voice to the sacrifice of the working men below deck who kept the ship afloat for as long as possible, saving hundreds of lives, whilst knowingly giving up on their own. Performed by Charlie Sheepshanks.

Following two hit UK tours, Biggest Award in Comedy nominee and resident (junior) doctor Michael Akadiri prescribes Brighton with a potent preview of his latest offering, Don't Call Me Uncle! Multi-award-winning comedian Michael is proud to wear many hats: doctor, husband & father. Evidently, that list does not include uncle. Yet, despite only being in his early 30s, for the first time ever, he was recently called uncle in public (a term usually reserved for elders!). This has sent him spiralling! Join Akadiri as he fights this lurid allegation, contemplates the difference between perception and reality all whilst keeping the laughs flowing with his trademark politically punchy anecdotes. As seen on Comedy Central LIVE, ITVs Stand Up Sketch & Channel 4's Stand Up to Cancer.

Due to popular demand, we have introduced two Afternoon Specials every month. The two events in each month will feature the same artists so just book one per month if you want to see a new show each time.  The Royal Court Afternoon Special is the new name for Variety Lunch Club. A new name but the same great afternoon at The Court! Join us for brilliant entertainers, a bowl of Scouse, a cup of tea and maybe a sweet treat all in the very best company. Afternoon Special will still feature the best in local entertainment with a variety of comedians, actors, singers and entertainers. The whole proceedings are compered by your favourite and ours, Sam Avery.

Back with a brand-new show Andrew has just supported Russell Howard on his current national tour including four straight shows at The London Palladium. He has also recently supported Rhod Gilbert and Troy Hawke and at The UK Comedy Awards 2023 was voted Comic’s Comic-Best Act. Andrew is always worried or stressed about something. From global events to finding free parking. From a wife hitting the perimenopause combined with two teenage kids, to hanging a wine-rack. How can he not be “on edge”?

Having become a father quite late in life, in all honestly, he’s just delighted to be away for a few days to get some good sleep (although he won’t be telling his partner that and he hopes she won’t read this. Why would she? She’s not going to be booking tickets to see him). Embarrassingly, he’s got a racist dog, so a break from constantly apologising in the local park is also a bonus. Oh, and he’s furious his parents chose the name Barry. Expect stories about these and other awkward situations in a show packed with laughs. He’d like to point out that he wrote the above (and this) and to be honest, he finds it a bit weird to be writing in the third person. He also thinks it’s presumptuous to say his show is packed with laughs (even though he’s very confident it will be). Why don’t you be the judge and come along? He’d also like to clarify that the quotes below weren’t written by him but by actual reviewers (and an endorsement from Greg Davies). And he’d like to thank you for the time you’ve spent reading this and he hopes to see you there! Presented by Rustle Up Productions

Rosie Holt: The Illegal Aliens Have Landed! Rosie and her MP alter-ego are back, fighting their biggest foe yet. Labour are trying to continue the Conservatives work of stopping the boats while also still appearing left wing," but they have an even bigger problem when UFOs arrive. Will the government stand strong? Or insist they are just waiting for the facts as aliens start to abduct and eat the British public? A sci-fi streaked satire.

I've got a terrible feeling about this show. Like, somehow the whole thing is doomed. I've got this recurring dream where I'm on stage, thousands of miles from home and the crowd has turned on me. There are thousands of them and they are all booing me and Sofia Vergara (Modern Family) is there, and so is Simon Cowell and he's slamming his fist into a red buzzer and the sound splits the air like a gunshot and the ceiling rips open and confetti rains down like debris but the booing only gets louder and louder and louder and louder and then I wake up. And ! realise that all of that actually happened to me.

In 1996, the El Gadhy family from Bootle did what any sensible family would do… they piled onto a bright red double decker bus and set off for Yemen. With just 40 days and 40 nights to make it to Sanaa in time for the grand opening of their new family home (no pressure), Abdul is determined this chaotic road trip will cement his legacy—preferably without anyone getting lost, arrested, or left at a petrol station. Nadia wants her children to be free to be themselves while doing her best to keep up appearances, and siblings, Omar, Sam, Aaliyah and Halima are driver, cheeky, fashionista and feisty respectively and sometimes disrespectfully. Inspired by a true story, 40 Days and 40 Nights is a cross-continental comedy of double decker proportions, where a family departs and comes together. As they navigate across Europe and the Middle East, the El Gadhy’s explore their different versions of being Muslim, pioneers, Yemeni and Scouse. Strap in for the ride of a lifetime and journey from the Mersey to the Middle East with ferries, fights, fun and family. Hop on, this is the bus you won't want to miss, next stop Yemen. 40 Days and 40 Nights has been developed as a co-creation between Liverpool's Royal Court and Liverpool Arab Arts Festival. Join us for a script in hand reading to get a first look at this brand new comedy. Written by Chrissy Jones Based on the real life journey of Mohamed El Gadhy

Star of BBC’s Upstart Crow, 8 Out of 10 Cats, The Friday Night Project and Dave’s One Night Stand. Since winning the prestigious Channel 4 So You Think You’re Funny Award at the Edinburgh Festival in 1998, Rob Rouse has toured the world for the last 27 years! Fortunately, over a quarter of a century in ‘the biz’ hasn’t made him (me – obviously I’m writing this) in the slightest bit sensible, and he’s (I am) absolutely delighted to be coming to the SJT. Funny Bones is Rob’s brand-new stand-up show: a relentlessly funny and daft evening of comedy, from a one-man whirlwind who pulls the audience into his craftily spun tall tales with bucketfuls of manic energy, first-class stagecraft, eerily convincing characters, and a barrage of brilliant one-liners.

Rachel Fairburn (Live At The Apollo, All Killa No Filla) invites you to the Manchester suburb of Harpurvale. Meet a host of personalities for you to love or hate. Expect biting social commentary and huge laughs. Co-host of International smash hit podcast All Killa No Filla and as seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC Two), Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (Dave), Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two) and Russell Howard Hour Life Lesson (Sky) Presented by Phil McIntyre Live Ltd