53two Archives - Page 2 of 3 - North West End UK

27Aug

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Coke, Machines, Stars & Kisses – 53two

There can’t be a better physical representation of the ups and downs of life, relationships and self-discovery than a trampoline and here there is one slap, bang centre-stage and it is physically and metaphorically central to this play. As it begins Lewis is enjoying himself on the trampoline. He is sure of himself, knows how to control his body and can even perform a few tricks. Lewis appears to be a self-assured, confident, working-class lad who sniffs a bit of coke as he drinks and smokes. Not only is he the last to leave Dale’s party but he was also uninvited. Dale has returned to Manchester after living in London and he wants Lewis to leave. Yet they get talking and start out on a journey of self-discovery for both of them which will take them up to the stars and back down to ea...

18Aug

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Young Love – 53two

The unbridled joy and total angst of teen love has proved a rich vein for theatre makers to mine over the years. Jake Talbot’s Young Love takes that traditional theme, and a set of fairly familiar storylines, but refuses to condescend his characters. This is a production firmly grounded in a world in which younger generations are not naive and simple, but rather complex, thoughtful and, quite frequently, an example to their elders in terms of progressive ideas and how to treat others. Arguably, a world not unlike the one we are lucky to live in right now. Oldham theatre company Dare to Know are back at Manchester’s 53Two after the success of Talbot’s own one-man show, Drowning, in March. However, returning audience members are in for a very different experience. The under the arch...

8Jul

By Scot CunninghamNo Comments

North West

Transparency – 53two, Manchester

Jaden Adams invites the world into a snippet of a transgender male’s life: expect an emotive solo performance packed with passion and playfulness. A prying parent forces Jack to come out about his transness sooner than he wished. In this multi-faceted account, he reveals the ups and downs that followed. Though aspects of the narrative may sound bygone, the northern working-class setting- where views on trans rights still lack progression in many households- should be taken into consideration. Adams is an endearing storyteller who tackles sensitive topics with deft. His zealous acting skills show great potential as he switches between roles, garnering plenty of laughs as Jack’s niggling nan. Everybody roots for Adams’ character from the start as he addresses hurdles from being ...

2Jun

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Crave – 53two, Manchester

Sarah Kane’s poetic masterpiece Crave marked a significant departure for the playwright when it was first performed in 1998. Whereas Kane’s previous work had featured graphic violence and sex, Crave relied on language. A quarter of a century on and it is clear the power of Kane’s words has hardly subdued. Four characters - A, B, C and M - take to the simple but beautifully-lit stage under the atmospheric 53Two arches. A black curtain backdrop and four stylish grey chairs are the only set dressing. This could be a waiting room or a therapy session or both those things or something else entirely or nothing at all. What follows are four haunting monologues or conversations beautifully interwoven together in a way that is almost impenetrable and yet totally understandable on a human leve...

1Jun

By Anisha PucadyilNo Comments

London

30 and Out – Pleasance Theatre

Kit Sinclair's new work '30 and Out' chronicles the ins and outs of understanding one's gender and sexual expression, albeit not in one's teens. Based on Sinclair's honest journey, the solo show also intersperses audio recordings of interviews conducted with lesbians from diverse ages and lived realities. The show is funny, engaging and heartwarming. Kit Sinclair is such a talented artist; with her wit, charm, and an eclectic multiverse of characters, she brings to the front so many nuances of accepting oneself and allowing them to flourish as lesbian/non-binary. Following a successful sell-out Brighton Fringe run, '30 and Out' is spending this week in London at The Pleasance, ahead of concluding its mini tour at 53two in Manchester. Presented by Prentice Productions and assisted by her...

24May

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Come Laugh With Us – 53two

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 F...

20May

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

It is what it is – 53two

When does a one-woman play become a stand-up set and vice versa? This show seemed to be unsure which side of that fine line it wanted to be and whilst it was a highly entertaining show it was not entirely clear what was intended. The space itself mirrored this problem as at the front were a number of tables and chairs set out as they would be in a comedy club. Yet behind them was the traditional tiered seating you would find in a theatre. Before the play started there was a warm-up act in the form of Maisie McFarlane who played a few sweet songs. This had nothing to do with the play and only added to the cabaret feel for the whole project. There was an overwhelmingly young, exuberant, animated audience who were extremely lively and definitely keen to enjoy themselves. Given their ...

5May

By Alison BainesNo Comments

North West

A Gen-Z Guide To Life – 53Two

53Two is a great little theatre venue, bar, café and overall cosy setting. Based under the iconic Manchester arches, 53Two was created by Manchester Actors' Platform, MAP, established to provide affordable, professional services for actors. In doing so, it plays home to new and emerging theatre such as this new play performed by graduating students from the Institute for Contemporary Theatre: the company ‘Groundwork’ present, A Gen-Z Guide To Life. As part of the ‘53New’, this show is at the beginning of its journey, performed in a safe and supportive space as the production starts to take shape. As stated by Groundwork at the end of their piece, they’re looking for feedback to improve and refine their performance to take forward as part of their dissertation. The short performanc...

25Mar

By Lou SteggalsNo Comments

North West

Bricks – 53Two

“May artists bare their souls in here” intones poet Tony Walsh, as he launches tonight’s collection of short plays with the first reading of his poem, “These Bricks, they speak…”. Under the brick railway arch that 53Two calls home, we are given six vignettes of the human condition, each 15minute snapshot ploughing headlong into hard-hitting themes of childhood abandonment, illicit encounters, sexual abuse, eating disorders and vengeance. It’s a tough ask for any writer, director or actor to deliver the realism, depth and nuance one might look for in tackling such heavy-duty subjects within the timeframe and for the most part, tonight is more a solid display of modern melodrama, inviting the audience to overlook the fact that we can only lightly skim the qualities of the characters be...

6Mar

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

Drowning – 53Two

After a successful tour in 2020, Dare To Know Theatre’s one-man, one-act show Drowning is back on the road. The debut play by writer and performer Jake Talbot garnered positive reviews on its first outing and this time around the show is taking in larger venues - like 53Two in Manchester. It’s even paying a visit to the nation’s capital. Any fears the team may have bitten off more than they can chew are soon assuaged. This is an accomplished piece of work, performed comfortably by an actor who knows the emotional and humorous beats of his tightly written script inside out. A black stage, empty aside from a square white box, is plunged into darkness. The haunting melodies of The Lathums’ Struggle fades away and a spotlight illuminates Josh. The 16-year-old is lying peacefully, sile...