Leanne Campbell

The Salon – The Sequel

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Reviewed by Nikki Cotter

Opening Night verdict ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

St Helens Theatre Royal do an incredibly impressive job of creating quality theatre for their loyal audiences, this autumn is no exception as they’ve rewarded theatre goers with a sequel to a firm audience favourite. The Salon, first seen in 2009 has opened its doors again for a sequel which brings more chaos, calamity and killer comedy. There’s a surprise pregnancy, the return of the local gangster and an eye watering appendage!

Leading the cast and returning to the role of salon owner Carol, is Leanne Campbell. While Campbell is a firm favourite on the airwaves she’s equally at home on the stage where she confidently leads this production. She’s perfectly suited to the role and has the audience in the palm of her hand from the start. Witty and warm she gives a superb performance. Her paring with best mate Sheila, played by Sarah White is perfection. White is an absolute scream as potty mouthed hairdresser Sheila, her anger management sessions aren’t quite having the desired effect but she certainly ensures she finds her stress relief in other areas. She has the audience roaring with laughter from the minute she arrives on stage.

The rest of the cast are equally as impressive and as an ensemble really deliver. They’re clearly having a ball, going above and beyond to ensure the audience have just as good a time as they’re clearly having. Special mentions must go to Darren John Langford as the bad boy all the ladies love to hate and Conor Barrie who as Damitree gives an epic performance of Genuine’s Pony that the audience won’t forget in a hurry !

This is adult theatre at its most fun and deliciously cheeky. There’s innuendos on innuendos and the audience absolutely lap them up. Director Chantelle Nolan ensures every line in Drew Quayle’s hilarious script is savoured by this cast and delivered with perfect comedic timing, tone and sass. Regal Entertainments set design and costumes are gaudy and garish and suit this play entirely.

The Salon – The Sequel is pure escapism delivered by a hugely talented cast. It’s outrageous, hilarious and will leave you hoping those salon doors soon reopen for a part 3!

The Salon – The Sequel is on at St Helens Theatre Royal until Sunday 13th October tickets available here.

The Salon

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Telling the story of soon to be divorced Carol and her colleagues, ditzy X Factor wannabee Tia and Shelia who doesn’t want much in life other than a toy boy with the stamina of a marathon runner, The Salon makes a welcome return to St Helens Theatre Royal this week.

The show is a hilarious behind the scenes look at the outrageous daily happenings in your average high street salon when you’re struggling to get over a broken heart and the local gangster has launched a hostile takeover bid on your business and will do anything and sleep with anyone to get it.

Penned by former Hale and Pace sketch writer and Liverpool playwright Drew Quayle, The Salon boasts a stellar Liverpudlian line-up including Radio City favourite Leanne Campbell, Brookside’s Sarah White and Phillip Olivier and Blood Brother’s Olivia Sloyan as well as Emmerdale’s Peter Amory and Towie’s Harry Derbidge.

There are some great performance in this riotous production directed by Sylvie Gatrill. Leanne Campbell plays recently heartbroken salon boss Carol to perfection, pitching her character just right as she battles through daily life in the salon while her ex and his new girlfriend have moved in across the street, she is the calm in the storm of salon life, instantly likeable, she has the audience rooting for her from her first line.

Managing the sex obsessed Sheila, played brilliantly by the sharp and sassy Sarah White and fame hungry, nice but dim beauty therapist Tia (delivered perfectly by OliviaSloyan) isn’t easy for Carol, not only is she nursing a broken heart but is agony aunt to salon owner Neil (Peter Amory) while trying to ward off local gangster Tony’s (Philip Olivier) advances.

There are some real laugh out loud moments in this adult comedy including an eye watering waxing session with some great comic timing from Philip Olivier and a scarily realistic boozy breakdown from jilted Carol.

Regal Entertainments Ltd set is impressive and authentic, allowing for scene changes within one static set, with the Salon taking centre stage and owner Neil’s fabulously flamboyant flat situated above.

The Salon makes for a great night out, flirty, filthy and full of fun!

On at St Helens Theatre Royal until Saturday 25th November tickets available here