CityLife

Ravioli @ Exchange Studio

RAVIOLI, the dark comedy written by Lawrence Ghorra and Mark Winstanley (who makes a brief appearance as the notorious Mr Fingers) has come a long way since its conception at the Arden School of Theatre and subsequent performance as part of the Royal Exchange's Blue Festival.

Inky Fingers, the company who present it, was formed in 2005 and have subsequently appeared at the 24/7 Festival and the Contact Theatre. The Studio theatre at the Royal Exchange is their first port of call before going on tour.

There are threads of humour and brilliant one-liners woven into the play's sinister and incongruous plot.

Two dreamers, Terry and Strutter, kidnap Valerie, a TV producer, for ransom to pay off a debt to Blind Harry who never appears.

Harry sends the wicked Mr Fingers to collect his dough yet, despite bated breath, the audience have to wait for the second half to see him in tortuous action.

Terry has a second motive for the crime - he wants to appear on reality TV!

This leads to dire consequences for all except Valerie.

At first a trifle passive, Tara Daniels comes into her own when she seizes the initiative, and achieves the last laugh.

Kenan Ally as Terry and Terry Hughes as Strutter are the perfect foil for one another. Their dramatic interaction after the interval, results in murder and mayhem.

The director, Wyllie Longmore, who has helped many young playwrights to perfect their work, successfully developed the script of Ravioli.

Ravioli is on at the Exchange Studio until Saturday, September 22. Call 0161 833 9833 for tickets.