CityLife

Blue 5 @ Royal Exchange Studio

WAS it chance that Blue 5 presentation of new works at the Royal Exchange Theatre coincided with the 24:7 Theatre Festival currently showing one hour, new short plays?

I don't know but the 'playlets' in Blue 5 would have been too short to qualify for 24:7.

All three presentations on the Thursday night (July 26th) lasted for just 15 minutes.

The first was by Preston-based Asta Theatre Company.

It was about a woman who began to hear strange music whilst travelling on an Arriva North West Macclesfield to Congleton train.

In a monologue, Marie Louise Cookson, described a cacophony of modern sounds which faded as her head was filled with music that wouldn't go away.

The harp-like sound came from Simon James sitting cross-legged in the background playing his own composition on the guitar.

It was a gentle, rain-like sound. Perhaps this was intentional - for the woman had previously heard rain in her head.

We were left to decide whether she was, or was not, sane.

The second performance had more teeth. It was 'Our Place' which was set in a Kibbutz. Performed by actor and playwright, Atar Hadari it was the opening monologue of his play, 'Three Sides of a Fence'.

In a gentle, quiet way, Atar reminisced about his performances in the Kibbutz theatre and his relationship with an Arab who delivered his bread.

When the Arab had been despatched, he realised what affection he had had for this outsider.

Aid peace

Attitudes like this, if multiplied, could surely aid peace in the region?

The play won the Drama section of the 2006 London Writers Competition and the extract whetted my appetite to see the full version.

Finally, the Kobal Theatre Company, based in Oldham, presented 'Little Tin Rock God' (pictured).

It featured Paul Bowles, Marcus McMillan and Catherine Murphy who gave fine performances.

It was about Johnny Hicks, a fading pop star, his female agent and an evil, persuasive stranger.

Without giving the game away I would ask how many pop stars do you recall who became big names after their death?

Between tonight (Friday) and tomorrow (Saturday) you have a chance to see seven more of these mini-plays - and it will only cost you a fiver.

Tickets are £5 for each evening and available from the Royal Exchange box office on 0161 833 9833.