The audience tonight were treated to six eclectic short plays as part of an evening advertised as “a brand-new comedy night, written by women, for women” but ultimately all the plays touched on universal themes that transcend gender.
All the plays were entertaining, some were educational, and introduced female issues that some, including me, were shamefully unaware. It was Päi Productions, a female-led Northern production company, first theatre production and it was a triumph.
Comedian Soph Galustian got the audience warmed up with some good jokes and as a fellow Stopfordian (i.e. someone from Stockport) I definitely recognised her comments about the town.
The first play Oh God by Chloe Mclaughlin, was a monologue told with entertaining verve by Kelsea Knox. There was a touch of Fleabag in its subject matter as the character is trying and failing to find the right connection in her sex life. There is a very good reason why she is having trouble in this area, and I won’t reveal what it is. In amongst the humour was a simple call for care and love along with a question, “why do women always have to put up with pain?”
The Boudica Support Group by Hilary Strong was a slightly surreal take on the fight undertaken by some latter-day Iceni warriors against the Romans. These wanabee Amazonians were a touch more down to earth than the famous British queen and somewhat more hapless in their approach. It was all a bit haphazard but there was a nice twist at the end.
There was touch of farce in Cowgirls in Heaven by Ifeoma Uzo. Two friends go out to a club and one of them comes back with a man, but things don’t turn out quite as planned. Tasharelle Jones-Hoyes showed some wonderful dance moves and was able to balance the frantic nature of the piece with a moving moment when she feels she is going to lose her best friend.
The best play of the night was Jeanie & Jessie by Megan Hickie. This had two great comic performances from Beth Lily-Banks and Sarah White based around a wonderfully neat idea. It was delightfully written, and it artfully built to what seemed like a sentimental conclusion before a priceless comic pay-off at the end.
Angela by Charlotte Small was another monologue about a young woman who is looking after a group of girl guides and has to deal with one particular young girl who is annoyingly astute. The part was sweetly played by Tilly Sutcliffe, who was moving and timed possibly the best joke of the night as to why she was never actually a girl guide to perfection.
Finally, there came Mothers & Daughters by Paris Rogers which was a rumbunctious and raucous piece of writing and performing. Two young girls are planning to move in together and their respective mothers meet. Much to the mothers’ delight they find they are as foul mouthed and outrageous as each other much to the embarrassment of their daughters. The mothers, played by Karen Henthorn and Isabel Ford were clearly enjoying themselves and their energy was infectious.
To round off the night Soph Galustian returned, and she read a poem lambasting the Daily Mail, which is always a good way to end any evening!
Come Laugh With Us is on at 53Two until the 27th May. To buy tickets go to – https://www.53two.com/whatson.
Reviewer: Adam Williams
Reviewed: 23rd May 2023
North West End UK Rating: