Review: JB Shorts 25 at 53two is ‘a wonderful showcase of Mancunian talent’

As you sit down to watch this 25^th edition of this beloved institution, you can feel the excitement in the audience.

There are relatives and friends of people involved and they are ready to cheer them on, and they sit alongside fans and newcomers – all gathered in the Deansgate arches for a night that they cannot get on Netflix.

This may be a binge watch because we get six stories, one after the other – played out in front of us. But this is live.

JB Shorts at 53Two

First up is Railway Sleepers by Peter Kerry , which plays around with the notion of words and the impact that they can have. Will Travis and Sue McCardle are on a train and they need some inspiration from a wordsmith.

Behind them sits Cheryl (Rosa Brooks) and she writes greetings cards. She steps forward and offers her expertise which is immediately dismissed due to her age and lack of experience.

Rosa Brooks has a tough job, as her character is written off by others.

But she has great stage presence and illuminates the scenes that she is in. As does Emma Grace Arends as Siobhan, a train manager.

She channels Susie Blake’s continuity announcer, as written by the late, great Victoria Wood. This one has promise but it runs out of steam, but the cast keep you interested.

The Exact Spot by Trevor Suthers

The Exact Spot by Trevor Suthers starts off as intriguing piece as two Irish men chat about mysterious goings on, linked to a lamp post. In it’s early stages it has the feel of The Woman in Black and a little of the whimsy of Stones in His Pockets.

John Joyce O-Keeffe and Brandon McCaffrey are an engaging pair and Stephanie Wallace’s arrival as a stranger injects some tension.

But suddenly we enter The Wicker Man territory and the tonal changes are too quick, and therefore the play lacks the desired impact.

Not every short needs a twist, and this one has interesting ideas. It just needs to settle on a couple of them.

Erotic Novel Goes Wrong written by and starring Zoe Iqbal

Erotic Novel Goes Wrong written by and starring Zoe Iqbal, grabs you the minute this wonderful wordsmith steps onto the stage.

Like a great stand up comedian, she directs her monologue to audience members.

She plays a teacher who gives up her day job to pen her tales of sexual encounters gone wrong. Less Fifty Shades of Grey and more How not to Have Sex.

The selling point of this one is Iqbal’s ability to involve you within this bawdy and beautifully written tale which explores a British attitude to sex.

Candid, very funny and completely engaging. I just wish there were more cabaret seats in the venue, as this one is perfect for a performer to walks amongst them, as they snigger with recognition.

Rebekah Harrison’s You Can’t Kill the Spirit

The second half of the evening is the strongest I have seen in some time. Rebekah Harrison’s You Can’t Kill the Spirit explores something defiant, groundbreaking, filled with trailblazing ‘characters’ and based on fact. But like many areas of history featuring women, it is often found on a dusty book shelf and rarely celebrated.

I have always had a fascination with the Women’s Peace Camp in Greenham Common, partly because I remember it as a child.

But, also because they gave up so much for what they believed in for a goal that many of us share today, peace. This is never more relevant than right now.

There is musicality to this fascinating and moving piece of theatre. I did not want this one to end.

Chantal Amber Rose, Megan Hickie and Michelle Ashton have beautiful harmonies, great chemistry and they all channel the pioneering spirits of these wonderful women who stood up for what they believed in and refused to give up.

Rebekah Harrison’s writing conveys both  strength and fragility in equal measures  and it is an exquisite piece of theatre.

Dave Simpson’s Who’s the Dummy

Dave Simpson’s Who’s the Dummy explores something we have seen on TV and in cinemas but not on stage. Daniel Brennan plays a ventriloquist called Jack, who needs a big break and Vicky Binns is his perma half grinned dummy, Sunny – who is far from it, as she is foul mouthed and has caustic one liners.

Yemisi Oyinloye is Polly, Jack’s frustrated wife, who feels a bit like Princess Diana, in that there are three people in this marriage. Every time she speaks to Jack, up pops Sunny like a gobby jack in the box, answering questions with sweary and snappy retorts.

This one is darkly comic and reminiscent of the film Magic, starring Anthony Hopkins.

Filled with wit, and great observations on talent shows that seek family friendly acts, it has a sting in its tale.

It packs a great deal into a short space of time but never feels overstuffed. Vicky Binns is so believable, if you saw her dressed as Sunny in the interval, you would give her a swerve and then leg it out of there.  Daniel Brennan as a haunted look in his eyes, which cuts through his smiles. And Yemisi Oyinloye is the much needed voice of reason.

Diane Whitley and Lindsay Williams’ Hens is Bridesmaids

Diane Whitley and Lindsay Williams’ Hens is Bridesmaids set in the Northwest and it is familiar to anyone who has been into town on a Friday night and seen a long line of hens, carrying a battered blow up doll, which looks low on air and has started to go floppy.

Ooh- er missus.

This one has pace, slapstick comedy, a quartet of great performances and gives you all the lols, and rarely misses a beat.

Jo Dakin, Verity Henry, Krissi Bohn, and Haylie Jones are all excellent as the hens let loose to run havoc and embark on an misadventure like no other.

Frenetic, fast, furiously funny and with writing and direction with the strength of Vin Diesel, this one leaves the audience wanting even more.

Tickets for JB Shorts 25 At 53two

JB Shorts 25 is at 53two until 19^th October and can be booked here