Rooney Panto: Wayne & Coleen’s Summer Stage Show
- Writer Helen Serafinowicz, famed for co-writing BBC sitcoms such as "Motherland" and "Amandaland," is returning to her Liverpool roots with a new theater show.
- Serafinowicz said she reconnected with Liverpool after being invited to the Eurovision song contest a few years ago.
- The play revolves around a local legend of Wayne and coleen Rooney arguing in their car, with Coleen throwing her engagement ring out the window.
Helen Serafinowicz, co-writer of “Motherland,” unveils her new play, ”The Legend of rooney’s Ring,” a fresh take on Wayne and Coleen Rooney’s relationship, set to premiere in Liverpool. This swords-and-sorcery-themed performance showcases the couple in a unique narrative, emphasizing a love story rather than a parody. Serafinowicz, inspired by Liverpool’s vibrant theater scene, crafts a play that may feature family members of Wayne and Coleen in attendance. The production marks her return to writing for the stage, a bold move after her successful TV collaborations. Find the full details and more at news Directory 3. Discover what’s next in the world of theatre.
Helen serafinowicz stages theatrical comeback with Rooney play
Updated June 24, 2025
Writer Helen Serafinowicz, famed for co-writing BBC sitcoms such as “Motherland” and “Amandaland,” is returning to her Liverpool roots with a new theater show. “The Legend of Rooney’s Ring,” a swords-and-sorcery pastiche, explores the relationship between Wayne and Coleen Rooney.
Serafinowicz said she reconnected with Liverpool after being invited to the Eurovision song contest a few years ago. A visit to the Royal Court theatre to see her friend Keddy Sutton in Jonathan Harvey’s “A Thong for Europe” inspired her. She noted the theater seemed more accessible and the play, while “mad,” captured the spirit of Liverpool. This experience unlocked new ideas for her.
The play revolves around a local legend of Wayne and coleen Rooney arguing in their car, with Coleen throwing her engagement ring out the window. The story imagines Coleen as a princess and Wayne as a warrior on a quest to find the ring. Serafinowicz emphasized the play is a love story and not intended to mock the Rooneys.
Serafinowicz has invited the Rooneys to the show. She knows some of their family members frequent the theater and might attend. She admits to being “a bit nervous” about the production, as it is outside her comfort zone. Her previous successes, ”Motherland” and “Amandaland,” were collaborative efforts. She said working alone allows her to focus, and she wanted to challenge herself by writing for the stage.
It’s a love story. I’m not making fun of them
Before her television success, Serafinowicz ran a vintage furniture shop in Norwich, which inspired the Hygge Tygge shop in “Motherland.” She juggled running the shop with writing,frequently enough taking Zoom calls amidst customers. While her former husband, Graham Linehan, and brother, Peter Serafinowicz, have achieved comedic success, Helen is now a sought-after television writer. She acknowledges her blessed position and the many projects she wants to pursue.
It’s like exposing yourself – like streaking at a football match
What’s next
Serafinowicz hopes “The Legend of Rooney’s Ring” will be a success, despite her anxieties. She even dreamed of winning a Tony Award for the script. She likens the experience to “exposing yourself, like streaking at a football match,” highlighting the vulnerability of putting her work on stage.