Let’s talk about the man who turned the Liverpool theatre scene into a place where you want to laugh, remember your childhood, and feel at home. Fred Lawless is a playwright, screenwriter, and director from Liverpool who has created dozens of plays that have become local favourites. His work is deeply rooted in the city’s culture but, at the same time, has a universal appeal for all of Adam’s descendants. Why is he important not only to Liverpool? Why should you even know his name? We’ll tell you more on liverpoolski.com.
From market to stage: the self-taught journey
Fred Lawless was born in the Dingle area of South Liverpool – a city where the ability to tell stories is just as important as the ability to listen to them. As a child, our hero attended St. Patrick’s School in Toxteth (an area also known for its market), then Widnes Grammar School, and later enrolled in a culinary college in the centre of Liverpool. It seemed that the theatre scene was a long way off – certainly not among his first life priorities.
Before taking up playwriting, Fred managed to try his hand at many roles. He worked in hotels, started his own business at the famous Paddy’s Market, and then launched a company that offered “kissogram” services – a greeting in the form of a surprise kiss. Oddly enough, it was this entrepreneurial streak, the ability to grab attention and capture the mood of a crowd, that came in handy when he started writing.
His path to theatre began with small sketches, radio attempts, and joint projects with his friend Len Pentin. One of his first major productions was “Girls and Gaffs” – a story about a night in Liverpool’s infamous Grafton nightclub. The play, written by the Lawless-Pentin duo, resonated with the audience: familiar dialogues, drunken conversations, and unexpected twists – all of which reflected the realities of Liverpool nightlife with humour and tenderness.
After his initial successes, Lawless realised that the stage was his calling. He began to write more, more boldly, with the sincerity that can only be found in an author who knows his audience well. Without academic training, without major producers behind him, but with an innate intuition – this is how Fred Lawless became a playwright whose shows have been selling out in his hometown for decades. His story is not about signs or titles, but about a true craft that grows out of life itself.
Comedies “for our own”
The Royal Court Theatre in Liverpool is a favourite place for the local audience, who appreciate good humour and sincere stories. It was here that Fred Lawless developed his unique style – comedies with a Liverpudlian accent in every sense. For over a decade, he was the main writer of the theatre’s festive shows, preparing a new Christmas premiere every year. These were not typical shows with a set of clichés – Lawless built his plays around local themes, recognisable characters, and absurd situations that his audience loves so much.
The titles of these shows are theatrical posters in themselves. “Nightmares on Lime Street,” “Pharaoh on the Mersey,” “Scouse from Antarctica,” “Horror Alley,” “The Scouse Pacific” – all of these are humorous parodies with a Liverpudlian flavour. It is no coincidence that the word “Scouse” appears in the titles at least twice – an identifier of the local dialect, humour, and style. Lawless masterfully combines grotesque, crime-thriller trash, and the everyday reality of Liverpool.
In one play, the protagonist is a shopping centre security guard who dreams of becoming a pirate; in another, a trendy boutique becomes the centre of a convoluted detective story. All of this is presented with such pace and humour that the audience has no chance of getting bored.
Critics also took notice. The publication What’s On Stage described one of the productions as follows:
“Fred Lawless delves into the stereotypes about Liverpool in a new comedy, mixing fashion, crime, and absurd situations.”
And indeed – it was playing with stereotypes that became Lawless’s trademark. He mocks what he knows well and therefore doesn’t cross the line, remaining “one of his own” for every audience member.
But perhaps the most important thing is the sense of community that his plays create. People come to them with their families and friends, leaving with smiles and discussing the jokes in the foyer. Fred Lawless’s theatre is a place where Liverpudlians can recognise themselves and laugh sincerely at the same time. And that is the main secret of his success.
A story that sounds from the radio: dramaturgy for the BBC
Although Fred Lawless is primarily associated with the Liverpool stage, his talent is not limited to theatre alone. One of his most powerful works was a radio drama for the BBC called “Close Enough To Touch” – an emotional story about the tragic sinking of the submarine HMS Thetis in 1939. The events took place near the coast of Liverpool, and this local tragedy became the basis for a deeply personal, dramatic story. Critics called the play “an incredible example of radio drama that completely captivates the listener,” and the production is still remembered as one of the strongest in its genre.
In addition, Lawless, together with Len Pentin, created a 24-episode comedy series “Paradise People” for BBC Radio Merseyside – another example of his ability to tell stories about simple life with warmth and humour. His voice was heard in various formats: in short sketches and in scripts for television series. This shows that Fred Lawless is a versatile storyteller, able to adapt his style to any platform.
But even when he reached a national level, he always remained true to his source of inspiration – Liverpool. In his works, regardless of the format, the same voice always shines through: sincere, witty, and deeply human.