Reviews

JB Shorts 12 (Joshua Brooks, Manchester)

The 12th series of comedy shorts shows no signs of flagging, says Elise Gallagher.

RealLife theatre company’s JB Shorts is truly something that I have never experienced before. Performed underneath the Joshua Brooks pub, the piece showcases a variety of six alternative productions, all running for a total of fifteen minutes.

JB Shorts 12
JB Shorts 12
© JB Shorts

The beauty of short plays being that if you aren’t a fan of one, another will soon be along, like a bus – in another fifteen minutes. The key selling point for JB Shorts is the wide range of narratives available to the audience. You travel from the jungle of ‘Paradise Island’ to the living room of two old aged, hoarding pensioners.

Most plays are well written, however, some styles do not quite fit the full fifteen minutes with ease. One or two productions don't flow as well as others which, as a result leave them slightly out of favour with the audience. However, the wide variety of mini plays on show here means that the appeal is really wide. For example, the first production sees a family hiding away during a zombie apocalypse. And you don't see that on stage everyday!

The second (which is one of my favourites) follows two pensioners who hoard tea sets, practically living in a room of china. Cathy Breeze who plays Button performs so well that myself and my friend found ourselves talking about her performance way after the showcase was finished. She truly steals the show.

The third is rather controversial, as we watch a father taking his disabled daughter away for the weekend with his new girlfriend. Only for the results of which to be much more damaging than originally predicted. Some may find this narrative exaggerated however, scarily, it is known to be true.

‘Paradise Lost’ sees Citizen Khan's Abdullah Afzal in a silly story about a monster and a King. Though humorous, some may find the complete shift from controversial and thought provoking to CBBC-esque to much of a change to enjoy. However, the audience participation certainly helped get audiences on side with the pantomime feel that this play embraces.

My favourite of the night has to be Prostate. The writer Martin Jameson actually suffered from prostate cancer which is easily echoed through his realistic but also comedic piece. He names his tumour after his least favourite public figure, whom Nathan Morris actually wears on a t-shirt – a perfect touch. Nathan Morris and Joe Osborne completely make the night for me, the interaction and sheer chemistry between the two flowed effortlessly, almost as if he was actually talking to himself.

The sixth and final play is Good Vibrations which explores the journey Liv undertakes for sexual gratification. Though funny and at some points quite silly the performances jar with one another, forcing the play not to flow as fluently as it may have done on paper.

However, it is a wise choice to finish the night on as many left with a smile on their face. JB Shorts offers you a brilliant night out.

My only issue with the it is the ordering of the performances. You see such a variety of topics which do not flow that well as a showcase piece. If ordered differently, the tone would not have shifted quite as dramatically as it does.

However, in conclusion, bring on JB Shorts 13, as I will definitely be going back!

JB Shorts 12 is at Joshua Brooks until 18 October.