Review: Sour Milk at The Kings Arms is ‘an incredible roller coaster that will have you laughing – then in tears’

Sour Milk is a warm and heartwarming play about friendship, heartbreak and acceptance.

Sour Milk follows the life of two best friends Ange and Mark as they navigate their relationship after Mark introduces Robert, a person he’s seeing.

Sour Milk at the Kings Arms, Salford

It’s written by Jonathan Michell who plays Mark.

It’s set in the King’s Arms, a gorgeous small pub in Salford.

The play is written well and it feels like you are watching two friends having a conversation.

It felt natural. It felt like we were watching in and when they had their intimate and upsetting conversations, it felt like we were intruding almost.

Exploring Complex Friendships

Abbey Hayes (Ange) takes the audience on an emotional rollercoaster as she navigates through her life while having Mark as a friend. They go through a lot of arguments which tests their relationship but also Ange’s feelings towards Mark.

Hayes delivers all her lines with ease as she talks about a co-worker who doesn’t do anything. As the play goes on and the emotions run high, she does not falter.

You are sympathising with her as she goes through different moments.

Hayes was easily a highlight for me. Oddly, you feel for her the most.

She tries to keep her cool throughout the play and only breaks at the very end.

Jonathan Michell (Mark) is the comedy of the play.

He has some very funny one-liners that help keep the play lighthearted as it takes a very sad turn.

Throughout the play, you do think Mark is a terrible friend as he stays at Ange’s apartment and keeps forgetting to buy more milk.

Ange complains about him a lot but once he meets Robert (Aaron Shaw) things change for the better, but they still have their arguments and they still are sour with each other.

Incredible Character Development

Mark is not a great character, but you end up feeling bad for him towards the end. Michell brings a rawness unlike any other as you watch his
world gets turned upside down.

Aaron Shaw (Robert) is the new partner that Mark introduces to Ange.

He does not fit in right away but he does try.

For example, he helps Mark arrange Ange’s birthday surprise despite not having anything planned.

Robert, in a way, helps Ange and Mark mend what they did not know was broken.

He tries to do nice things for Ange and he lets her vent to him and gives her advice on her job. Robert emulates the audience in a way as he is an outsider coming into Ange and Mark’s friendship.

Shaw brings a breath of fresh air when he walks onto the stage as he curiously sits down.

Heartwarming and Refreshing

He also has funny moments but also heartwarming ones.

I thought this play was fantastic and a lot more sad than I thought it would be.

It had laughs, tears and an overall depth to a relationship between best friends.

Sour Milk is playing until the 9th of December at The King’s Arms.

You can get tickets here