As a musical about him opens at Liverpool’s Royal Court, Michael Cullen tells of hope, heart – and hitting rock bottom
When the lights went down on the final scene of Speedo Mick – the Musical, Michael Cullen had tears streaming down his face. He wasn’t the only one.
On the face of it, the show about his life, which opened at Liverpool’s Royal Court theatre this week and runs until July, is a knockabout romp about a local character known for raising money for charity by strutting his stuff in a pair of bright blue budgie-smugglers.
But it is also a story about addiction, depression and hitting rock bottom. It’s about finding purpose and becoming a hero, but losing yourself along the way. Fundamentally, says the 60-year-old the morning after its opening night, it’s a story about hope.
“It’s not happy-clappy,” says Cullen. “But it is funny. It’s got music, it’s got love, it’s got breakups. It’s got hope and perseverance and heart.”
