Fringe review: A MANCHESTER ANTHEM, Lyle Productions & ramblemill - Edinburgh Festival Fringe
A moving and heartfelt story of a Mancurian boy coming of age that speaks to audiences of any age, gender or background. A well deserved standing ovation from the audience this evening.
This new play is poetically written by Nick Dawkins who has a real talent for rhythm, flare, punchy dialogue and heart. It is directed dynamically by Charlie Norburn who paints clear scenery for shifting locations and guides the physicality of this piece to create vivid characterisations, performed exceptionally by Tom Claxton who is a gifted actor with an exceptional emotional range.
The story follows one day in the life of 18 year old Mancurian Tommy, who is the first in his family to get an offer for University - and not any University - Oxford. Coming from a humble upbringing, raised by a single mother who works double shifts as a nurse and a negligent rich father who abandoned him, Tommy is presented with the golden ticket. On a night out with his rich school ‘friends’ who unxpectedly invite him on a night out, he takes a darker turn where he is presented with cold feet and a bit of an identity crisis - questioning whether leaving home and leaving his humble beginnings will change who he is as a person.
This is a funny, thoughtful, sensitive and moving play which is both incredibly entertaining and has a strong heart. Go and see it this month before it sells out!
***** Five stars
Reviewed by: Viv Williams
A Manchester Anthem plays at Pleasance Courtyard at 7.50pm until 27 August.