Away From Home (Re:Play – Salford)

Away From Home written by Rob Ward (who also stars) and Martin Jameson became the darling of the 24/7 festival last year opening to rave reviews and strong word of mouth. Now backed by the production company Hartshorn Hook Productions the show returns to the region as part of the Re:Play festival before embarking on an extensive tour of the UK.

The show tells the story of Kyle, a young football loving lad who lives for the weekends to watch his favourite team play and hang out with his mates, he also happens to be a gay escort who through a pure twist of fate ends up coming face to face with a premiership footballer…. who hires him.

The play is billed as a look at homophobia and in the closet sports stars in UK football but is really much more than that. Looking at the life of an escort who seems to have managed to switch off emotionally during his work – come undone when feelings get in the way is really what pulls you in. Never condemning the profession and telling us the dangers of selling yourself to a stranger (which we have heard a million times) the play instead warns us that love can arrive in the most unexpected forms and places.

The relationship between Kyle and the footballer is beautifully drawn and the look at the fear of the athlete who knows he can never come out of the closet, whilst not a new subject matter for the arts, the way it's done here is refreshing.

Rob Ward flicks with ease between all the people he portrays and gives a master class in acting. Engaging and energetic he never lets slip for a second, watching this actor work the stage is reason enough to buy a ticket. The slick and simple direction by Martin Jameson brings the piece to life with ease.

Away From Home is certainly an exciting piece of theatre and everybody involved should be applauded. I urge you to get a ticket to see this show at any of the many UK dates, as this is another example of why the Manchester fringe scene should not be ignored and it's easy to see why this play is still the talk of the town.

Away From Home is at the Lowry until 1st February and tours the UK from 8 February. Full tour dates are here.