Speedo Mick, The Musical
Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool
★★★★★

SPEEDO MICK is the nickname of Scouser Michael Cullen, who made headlines by raising over £1 million for charity by walking Britain wearing just his swimming trunks. His amazing story has been transformed into a musical now being premiered at Liverpool’s Royal Court Theatre.

In the opening scene, there’s the Liverpool skyline with “Speedo” standing alongside a young man contemplating suicide, about to jump off a high platform. While accepting it’s easy to get combat fatigue, Speedo urges him to “fight, fight, keep fighting mate. Tomorrow is another day.” The same young man with his problems symbolically reappears throughout the show as Speedo’s alter ego, a constant reminder of ongoing problems and what must be done to deal with them.

As a younger man, Speedo struggled with drug addiction, trauma, homelessness, mental health problems and self-destructive behaviour. He sings to us: “I was down and out, was an addict, didn’t think I could go through. Pick up the phone, don’t suffer alone.”

Speedo joins a support group and possibly for the first time in his life, is made to feel welcome. “From life on the street, he got back on his feet” by accepting support from others.

All the songs in this show have meaningful lyrics and are brilliantly performed. This is true toe-tapping entertainment with a difference.

As a direct product of intervention and support, Speedo gains strength from the realisation that he will never walk alone, but being an ardent Everton supporter, he sings to us “you’ll never walk unaccompanied!”

From this, he develops a huge determination to help others through fundraising activities. For the first, although not much of a swimmer, he swam across the English Channel to raise money for the homeless and a hospice in Liverpool. There are fun scenes on stage of him doing just that. “If you think you can do it, do it.” His loving wife is alongside him giving encouragement.

A narrator tells us he is “a determined bastard” and long-distance walking, including the ascent of Ben Nevis in his swimming trunks, is part of a lifestyle that keeps him stable, proving you can reach out, find support, help others and embody true people power.

In real life, many of our problems are created by social and economic factors, something we didn’t create but inherited, and we are often brainwashed into compliance. Hence another song, We’ve All Been Brainwashed: “Can you help me please with my brainwash, deal with the issues.” Speedo continues to struggle with himself, but is determined to do good in life, to reach for goals and get there.

During the interval I noticed Speedo among the audience, talking to individuals, posing with them for a selfie, full of fun and life. As well as great musical entertainment, this show is an inspiration, demonstrating how we can all change attitudes, make a difference to communities, find a new direction in life, bring about change.

This is a wonderful show that both entertains and educates.

Runs until July 5. Box office: (0151) 709-4321, liverpoolsroyalcourt.com.