Simon Naylor Archives - North West End UK

31Oct

By Adam WilliamsNo Comments

North West

Frank 4 Sophie 4 Eva – 53two

Of all the politics in the world, sexual politics is perhaps the most difficult to navigate especially when the initial thrill has gone. It is bad enough when sex has become a chore, a lie back and think of England job, where you have to fantasise about Scottish heroes from the 17th century to get you through it. Yet for Frank (Simon Naylor) and Sophie (Alexandra Maxwell) sex isn’t even that. They have completely stopped doing it and are visiting a sex therapist to see if they can sort out their love life. Are sex and love the same thing they ask? Can you have one without the other? Frank is full of one-liners and bravado. He is definitely up for it and can’t understand why Sophie does not want to have sex with him anymore. Why does she fancy Jamie from Outlander and prefer to read ...

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...

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 ...

15Jun

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

North West

One Good Tree – Up ‘Ere Productions

By the power of Zoom, we are transported to America’s deep South. Written by Robert Barnett, whose other plays include The Hiroshima Daughter, Olympic Notions and Supply, Luke’s Dad, Reckoning Angel and Colors. He also writes radio drama, one act plays, libretti for opera and musical theatre, indeed he is multi-disciplined and seem to be able to turn his hand to any type of writing. One Good Tree has been produced by a Salford based production company called Up ’Ere Productions, who aim to encourage local talent by performing locally and developing new work. They have adapted their strategy to include Zoom performances which enable them to put on live theatrical productions in their ‘Weekly Watch’. This play tells the story of David Onley (Nathan Lea), who is 15 years old and has kil...