CityLife

JB Shorts Bundle

By Natalie Anglesey

Re:Play Festival - JB Shorts
Library Theatre
February 4, 2010

THE Library Theatre, which has housed many innovative productions in its long history, is doing good business  with JB Shorts, a collection of fifteen minute plays by television screenwriters.

First seen at the Joshua Brooks pub, with one additional new work, it's fascinating to see they work equally well in a pub setting and on the Library Theatre stage.

A packed house rocked with laughter at Can We Stop It There? by local playwright Trevor Suthers (Coronation Street, Eastenders). A theatrical delight, it's mercilessly funny as a chaotic dress rehearsal is interrupted by several directors giving conflicting directions. Among the strong cast is Manchester-based Arthur Bostrom ('Allo, 'Allo).

In Banal Encounters, screenwriter Peter Kerry (Emmerdale) opens with strong echoes of Noel Coward's Brief Encounter. But a darker side is revealed as the cargo in passing trains changes with the years.

New work At The End of The Day, by writer/director James Quinn, takes a cynical swipe at football television pundits engaging in post Premier League analysis. Among the cast, and getting most of the laughs, is that fine actor John Henshaw (Looking For Eric). There's frank language and adult references.

Marriages Made In Heaven by Dave Simpson, who has two plays in the Opera House's new season, appears to be a light-hearted comedy featuring Coronation Street's Sue Cleaver. But as Victoria, about to marry for the fourth time, reminisces about her three previous husbands, all played by James Quinn, a macabre twist is revealed. Great performances from the actors and a very funny script keep the laughs coming quick and fast.

This is a terrific opportunity to see hilarious and thought-provoking work in its early stages and hopefully encourage some of the playwrights to expand their work into full-length plays.

Reviewed: Fri, 05 February, 2010

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