In the small studio theatre above a Manchester pub, the pressure is on. Two chefs, drafted into a prison kitchen due to a staff strike to cook the Death Row inmates’ final meals.
Welcome to The Grill where the stakes are high and the steaks are non-existent, our soon-to-be-deceased favouring garden salads and soup instead before they depart this plane of existence.
Directed by Adam Cachia, our two chefs Tom and Wally filet and flambé their way through a blackly funny script that explores everything from class wars, culinary memories and how to fleece a Tesco meal deal.
There are some spicy one liners, lovely wordplay, and great blocking of the two main actors that builds in some enjoyable physicality. There are a few fluffed lines here and there but both cope marvellously with the chaos, including a misbehaving kitchen counter and some audience members who, perhaps inspired by the food-heavy plot, noisily munch crisps through some of the quieter moments.
Our diabolical duo (at least in terms of their ability to cremate an innocent deep-dish pizza) are ably whipped into culinary catastrophe by stern prison guard who admirably deadpans his way through philosophising about last meal choices and the emerging ineptitude of his two hires.
Not everything is Michelin quality. Over 90minutes there’s only so many food-based puns you can make before things get a little stale. An appearance by one of the condemned prisoners talking through his traumatic adolescence clashes against the more banter-led fare and reduces chortles to nervous giggles, as the audience isn’t sure if they are meant to laugh or not.
And for all the digs at capitalist culture and the justice system, it somehow feels like small talk rather than any huge truths. Nevertheless, it is a highly energetic and enjoyable affair that certainly won’t leave a bad taste in your mouth.
For What’s On at the Kings Arms, visit The Kings Arms | Events (kingsarmssalford.com)
Reviewer: Lou Steggals
Reviewed: 12th August 2024
North West End UK Rating:
Rating: 3 out of 5.
