The Legend of Rooney’s Ring review – mythical Wayne and Coleen bust-up becomes mythically silly panto

In Liverpool, a humorous fake news story spread regarding Coleen McLoughlin allegedly throwing Wayne Rooney’s engagement ring into a bush. This led to a frenzy of treasure seekers scouring Formby Point nature reserve in search of the fictional £25,000 ring, prompting the National Trust to intervene to protect the local wildlife inhabitants.

Screenwriter turned playwright, Helen Serafinowicz, found amusement in the ridiculousness of the situation and crafted a play called The Legend of Rooney’s Ring. This play transforms the urban myth into a fairy tale set in a fantastical world where a princess named C’leen and a warrior named Wayne embark on a whimsical adventure. The story unfolds in a realm reminiscent of Brothers Grimm and JRR Tolkien, filled with quirky characters and unlikely scenarios.

The play introduces a twist with an orange-faced Emperor Trump, portrayed as a menacing figure who casts a spell on Wayne. According to the play, as long as Wayne possesses the ring, he becomes irresistibly attractive to women—a fate depicted humorously as being a “fanny magnet.” However, the portrayal of the Rooney’s relationship and the cartoonish Emperor Trump fails to evoke genuine emotional investment from the audience, veering off from the original comedic premise.

Despite initial hilarity surrounding the fake news story, Serafinowicz’s play falls short of delivering sustained entertainment due to shallow character development and lack of depth in the storyline. The production, while lively and brassy, ultimately struggles to maintain the whimsical charm that characterized the original urban myth. The play’s deviation from the core humor of the situation results in a two-hour performance that feels more like a superficial sketch than a fully fleshed-out theatrical experience

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