Bill Shankly drama gets a standing ovation

The Shankly Show was created by writer/director Andrew Sherlock as a multi-media presentation, with archive footage complementing the performance on a turf-covered stage.

The show received its world premiere earlier this year at the Liverpool Olympia, having been commissioned especially for 2008 by Liverpool Culture Company.

Mr West was installed in a recreation of Anfield's legendary boot room, from where he master-minded LFC's transformation from mid-table mediocrity in the old Second Division when he took over in December 1959, to the all-conquering heroes of the 1960s and early 70s. And as the newsreel footage showed, it was a largely black-and-white world where transfer fees were measured in multiples of thousands rather than the millions of today.

Mr Sherlock showed how Bill Shankly drew his inspiration as much from military geniuses like Napoleon Bonaparte as he did from the world of football. Shankly wanted to make Anfield "a bastion of invincibility," and to terrify opposing teams into submission.

As well as showing his wit, passion and charisma, Mr West's performance revealed the LFC manager's human side as he nurtured young talent. He likened his shock resignation in 1974, after 14 years in charge, as "like going to the electric chair."

The show was divided into a first and second half, and ended in a standing ovation for Mr West and a mass singalong of You'll Never Walk Alone.

Afterwards, Mr West, 56, said: "It's a good enough story to go anywhere. Even people who don't have much to do with football can get the story.

"Shankly wasn't just a football manager, he was a philosopher, with a passion for the people, his club, and his family. You can apply his philosophy to any walk of life.

"It's a huge responsibility to take on a role like this because you know how he is so revered."

Mr Sherlock said: "As a lifelong Liverpool fan born into the early years of Shankly's reign, it has been a labour of passion and fervour to not only re-find that familiar voice but to uncover the frustrations, difficulties and sheer will to succeed.

"It really has been like living inside the head of a genius."

* THE Shankly Show continues at the Royal Court until October 18.