Friday, December 20

Tag: Lock 91

In The Plus – Lock 91, Manchester
North West

In The Plus – Lock 91, Manchester

Imagine a world obsessed with cabbage. Arguably defined by cabbage. Poets and oil painters are inspired by the vegetable as they create their great works. The problem is you don’t care for cabbage. It might sound bizarre. But swap cabbage for sex and suddenly it’s an incredibly accessible way of explaining how some people experience their asexuality. The idea is one of the highlights of James Reilly’s deeply personal one-man show In The Plus. Reilly’s ambition is clear. Celebrate one of the identities and orientations represented by the plus in LGBTQ+. He absolutely achieves that and will surely educate his audience at the same time. However, there’s also potential here for something greater and more powerful. Potential that isn’t quite met. The show opens with an audio montage of...
At Home with Miss Angela Bra – Lock 91
North West

At Home with Miss Angela Bra – Lock 91

“Do you have the socials?” an unsuspecting punter is asked. No, not some new contagion to be wary of, simply a way of finding out if the audience prefers Tik-Tok or Facebook. Miss Angela Bra (better known as Andy Quirk) is busy holding court on life as a part-time musical teacher, rising social media star, and owner of two cats - Pinot and Grigio - treating us to her very own brand of banter, singing and occasional costume changes. As with many drag-based acts, the success of these can live and die with the audience interaction and whilst Miss Angela (the full name pronounced like ‘Candelebra’ and just as classy she tells us) does her best with the small but warmly appreciative audience. You can’t help but wonder though how the act could develop if unleashed on a slightly rowd...