JB Shorts Archives - North West End UK

4Apr

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

JB Shorts 26 – 53two

After a couple of days spent down at the wrong end of the M62 in Liverpool, it was a joy to be back reviewing in the 0161, and the pleasure was doubly sweet as the subject was the 26th iteration of the ever-reliable JB Shorts under the 53Two arches at Watson Street. The format is the same as ever; original, fifteen-minute short plays on any subject matter, showcasing some of the best in northern writing and acting talent. Number 26 features only five, rather than the usual six pieces and as ever the result is an eclectic mix of humour and thought-provoking work. Meeting Morag Writer Ben Tagoe wowed this reviewer a couple of years ago with ‘Better Days’ his one-man exploration of football hooliganism and rave culture and his latest offering gets the evening off to a great start. Pa...

11Oct

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

JB Shorts 25 – 53two, Manchester

Under the arches at 53two’s Watson Street headquarters, JB Shorts is now firmly established on the Manchester theatre scene as the place to experience sharp new writing and watch both emerging and established actors hone their craft. Now in its 25th iteration, tonight’s offerings were as eclectic as ever, managing to mix the farcical and surreal with more thoughtful offerings to delight the packed midweek audience. Railway Sleepers Kicking off the evening with a familiar train journey from Piccadilly to Euston, we meet Frank (Will Travis) and Sue (Sue McCardle) ostensibly travelling south for a conference and striking up a conversation with fellow passenger Cheryl (Rosa Brooks) around how best to reply to a text message received from Frank’s mysterious boss. The piece worked quite we...

9May

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

JB Shorts 24 – 53two, Manchester

A bare stage in a formerly disused railway viaduct would seem an unprepossessing setting, but when hosted by Simon Naylor and the superb team at 53two, JB Shorts has firmly established itself as a ‘must see’ on the Manchester Theatre scene over the previous twenty-three seasons of its existence. Tonight is no exception, the six plays- each lasting just fifteen minutes - address both the political and personal in modern society and make for an eclectic and enthralling theatrical evening. Isobel Openshaw Saves the Day Writer Joyce Branagh takes the lead as the eponymous Isobel, an Aldi shop assistant who decides to stand for election to parliament against the Conservative forces of darkness embodied by Rory Cheese Bogg (Callum Sim). Elements of Victoria Woodesque writing pepper the scr...

13Oct

By Peter RuddickNo Comments

North West

JB Shorts – 53Two

There are very few certainties in life. Hardly any in theatre. One constant, however, is that JB Shorts always delivers interesting ideas, great writing and talented acting. For anyone unfamiliar, the showcase of short plays was born in the Joshua Brooks pub more than a decade ago as a way of giving TV writers the space to try out new work. The show has gone from strength to strength in its new home at 53Two and this selection of shorts is no different. Energy bills, the political response to the pandemic, ableism, so-called cancel culture and discrimination. The issues being tackled are overwhelmingly influenced by the extraordinary times we are living through. However, at the heart of each play, are surprisingly well-drawn characters given the brevity of the texts. Zoe Iqbal &am...

New space, new writing and new beginnings for 53two as they lay out plans to take them to 2023

19Jul

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

NEWS

New space, new writing and new beginnings for 53two as they lay out plans to take them to 2023

53two launch first ever season in their new home with world premieres of new writing, the return of JB Shorts and opportunities for Greater Manchester talent to share their work as a part of several new platforms supporting multi-discipline creatives. 53two, only just over a year old in their new venue, are making moves to change the face of independent Manchester Theatre with a line-up of new writing and events that will champion their ethos of ensuring theatre and the arts are for everyone. For creatives and audiences alike, access is key. In September, the space affectionately known as ‘the arches’ will open its newly expanded 150-seater venue with brand new writing from Joshua Chandos. The one act, two hander will be brought to life by the venue’s Creative Director, Simon Naylor ...