Under The Mersey Moon

 

 

UNDER THE MERSEY MOON TO RETURN TO THE FLORAL PAVILION IN 2026

 

Inspiring smash hit musical transferring to the main stage at popular New Brighton theatre

 

Billy and Lesley Butler to reprise roles in show

________________________________________________________________________________

 

Heartwarming new country musical Under the Mersey Moon is set to return to the Floral Pavilion in 2026 with three special dates on the main stage over Valentine’s weekend.

 

The show was a huge success when it was given its premiere at the waterfront landmark’s Blue Lounge earlier this year, becoming the performance space’s best-selling new musical and enjoying sold out houses and standing ovations.

 

Generous audience members also raised more than £600 for the Friends of Clatterbridge Cancer Charity.

 

Now, due to popular demand, it is returning to the New Brighton venue - this time playing the theatre’s 800-seat auditorium, with performances on Saturday and Sunday, 14-15 February 2026 including a Saturday matinee.

 

And radio legend Billy Butler and actress wife Lesley Butler are set to reprise their roles in the hit show, with more casting yet to be announced.

 

Under the Mersey Moon is created by well-known Liverpool songwriters Jimmy Rae and Pete Davies and features 13 original songs which are performed by a live, six-strong band and cast of 12. It is directed by Birkenhead’s Brian McCann.

 

The musical tells the uplifting story of one man’s determination to follow his dream, and the enduring power of love, home and family.

 

Inspired by his ailing grandfather, Danny Rogers – a struggling country musician from Liverpool – embarks on a make-or-break pilgrimage to Nashville, hoping to be discovered at last.

 

Will he fulfil his dream? Or will it prove a very different journey of discovery?

 

Under the Mersey Moon received huge acclaim when it was staged at the Floral Pavilion’s Blue Lounge with critics calling it “a fantastic production that truly had everything…emotion, drama, humour, great music and twists” and music broadcaster and writer Spencer Leigh describing the musical as having “the potential to be another Twopence to Cross the Mersey.”

 

Meanwhile songwriters Jimmy Rae and Pete Davies are firm favourites with Merseyside roots and acoustic music fans through their respective duos, Tennessee Waltz and Good Intentions.

 

Liverpool-born Pete is also known to followers of Granada TV’s landmark ‘Up’ documentary series which has followed his life, along with 13 others born in the same year, every seven years since 1964.

 

Wirral-born Under the Mersey Moon co-writer Jimmy Rae said: “We were blown away by the response to the first shows we performed in February at The Floral’s Blue Lounge. Pete and I really believed in the script, the songs and the story we developed together, but it’s not until you put it in front of a live audience that you know for sure if a show is any good.

 

“As it was, we had three packed houses, standing ovations after every show and quite a few people moved to tears by the storyline which was just amazing.

 

“We can’t wait to bring it to the Floral’s main stage next year with an even bigger and better production.”

 

And Floral Pavilion manager Pauline Campbell added: “Under the Mersey Moon premiered at the Floral Pavilion’s Blue Lounge earlier this year and the audiences at the three sell-out performances absolutely loved it.

 

“It’s a really special show, with a beautiful original score showcasing excellent local writers, so I’m thrilled that it’s returning to the Floral next year and that we’re able to support its transition to our main stage – and onwards to a regional tour!

 

“I can’t wait to see it again and I’m sure it will get even more standing ovations.”

 

Tickets are available to purchase online at www.floralpavilion.com

 

Website:         www.merseymoon.com

Facebook:       UnderTheMerseyMoon

Instagram:​      @underthemerseymoon

 


LISTING INFORMATION FOR UNDER THE MERSEY MOON

 

Floral Pavilion

Marine Promenade

New Brighton

CH45 2JS

 

Date: Saturday-Sunday, 14-15 February 2026

Time: 7.30pm with 2.30pm Saturday matinee

Tickets: Adults £30/Concessions £29

 

HOW TO BOOK

Online: www.floralpavilion.com

Phone: 0151 666 0000 (lines open 12noon-4pm Tues-Sat)

At the box office: from 12noon-4pm, Tues-Sat

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Murder On The Orient Express - Review by Natalie Anglesey at The Lowry

Image
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS AT THE LOWRY UNTIL SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2024 Hands up if, like me, you are an Agatha Christie fan. Thought so!   The excellent Fiery Angel production company with director Lucy Bailey, knew they were onto a sure - fire winner with this touring production of one of Christie’s most popular novels. This is where I have to confess that in my past I have been a guest on the real Orient Express replicating that same journey. In a strange way that experience has made me more critical of staged productions although I always intend to keep an open mind.   Launching this national tour at The Lowry ensured a packed auditorium. However, it’s crucial that the initial opening scene sets the right atmosphere of winter in 1934 when an avalanche stops the Orient Express dead in its tracks.  Much of the success of the opening scenes is due to an imaginative train set designed by Mike Britton which hopefully, as the tour progresses, will see the set ...
Read more

DEAR ENGLAND AT THE LOWRY, SALFORD - REVIEW BY NATALIE ANGLESEY

Image
Dear England at The Lowry, Salford Until   29 June 2025 Review by Natalie Anglesey Wow! That was my initial reaction on leaving the Lowry after seeing this stunning new touring production of James Graham’s Olivier Award-winning play, Dear England, which packed out the Lowry in Salford. This highly anticipated staging of the National Theatre’s smash-hit production has a four-week run in Salford until 29 June.   Written by award-winning playwright James Graham (Punch, Young Vic; Sherwood, BBC One) and directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold (Patriots, Ink; Almeida Theatre/West End/Broadway), it’s a stark look behind the scenes at football politics.  Dear England tells the uplifting, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager in this gripping examination of a nation and its game. This production, which won ‘Best New Play’ at the 2024 Olivier Awards, has been updated foll...
Read more

PRIDE & PREJUDICE* (*SORT OF) LOWRY, SALFORD - REVIEW BY NATALIE ANGLESEY

Image
Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)   By Isobel McArthur after Jane Austen  Lowry, Salford until Saturday Jane Austen may well have swooned at the very thought of anyone tampering with her beloved Pride and Prejudice. So plaudits go to Isobel McArthur for being brave enough to meddle with what is considered to be a literary classic. Arriving at Lowry in Salford after its triumphant run in the West End where it won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy, this production may shock an audience unprepared for so many radical changes.  Although this production is still about the themes of money, true love and avarice, yet far from following in Austen’s footsteps, this show is more a musical than a straight play. For example, the all female cast perform a string of pop classics including Young Hearts Run Free, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow and You’re So Vain - much to the delight of the audience.  The hard – working ensemble work their literary socks off in a multi...
Read more