Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Never have I gasped louder than when reading those infamous words; “……… It’s Rebekah Vardy’s account”. Instantly a cultural moment was set and the term Wagatha Christie spectacularly coined. Forget the action on the pitch, this was all about social media shenanigans and Coleen Rooney’s cleverly planned plot to identify who was playing foul by taking her private stories and sharing them with The Sun.

Through investigations Miss Marple herself would be proud of, Colleen planted false stories on her private Instagram account, allowing access to only one follower; Rebekah Vardy; sure enough these fabricated stories soon appeared in the press and so the crime was cracked!

However, in the world of WAGs, wannabees and whistle blowers this revelation didn’t call full time on the matter as the country became well and truly obsessed with the announcement there would be extra time as Vardy sued Rooney for Libel. Cue a spectacular court case in which underhand tactics, own goals and howlers a plenty were exposed.

Now Liv Hennessy has condensed the transcripts of this dramatic seven day court case into a hilarious piece of verbatim theatre, with the genius addition of two football style pundits who commentate on the grittier parts of the legal jargon brilliantly from the side lines.

The script is gold, all of the iconic moments are there, from Vardy’s, “Who’s Davy Jones?” to the barrister’s utter confusion at the term FFS. Vardy’s transcripts in particular gift us with some incredibly entertaining moments, all delivered superbly by Lucy May Barker who switches from catty comments to resting bitch face in the blink of an eye.

Laura Dos Santos portrays the more self-aware Rooney with fluid ease, her nuanced mannerisms and Scouse lilt in complete contrast to the outrageous and brash Vardy.

Lisa Spirling’s direction is inspired, ensuring the court transcripts are well and truly lifted off the page, she recreates the action inside the court as a game of two halves while Polly Sullivans set cleverly transforms the courtroom into a football pitch.

Barristers Tomlinson and Sherborne portrayed by Jonnie Broadbent and Tom Turner are superb, delivering their grilling to perfection. Special mention must also go to Nathan McMullen who takes on multiple roles, his Wayne Rooney resulting in roars of laughter from the audience as he physically transforms himself into the infamous player.

This is a brilliantly crafted piece of theatre, the pace is fast, the cast are premier league and the entertainment value is top flight, totally wagtastic!

Vardy V Rooney – The Wagatha Christie Trail is on at The Lowry until Sunday 11th June tickets available here.