Gym Party (Tour – Manchester)

Competitors Chris, Jess and Ira need our support. Our help is needed to ensure the success of the rather silly games in which they take part. More importantly, however, they need our votes. During their opening speeches the trio emphasise both the value of competition and their mutual respect. They share everything except the chance for glory. But if the games in which they participate are such fun why do two of them have bloody noses?

The producers of Gym Party do not share the characters’ lust for glory. Made in China comprises Tim Cowbury and Jessica Latowicki supplemented on this occasion by Christopher Brett Bayley and Ira Brand. Clarifying who wrote, directed and even performed in the play is, however, hard to achieve. Based on the character names it is probable Cowbury wrote the play and the other members of the company collaborated on the direction and acting. But in any case they did a fine job.

Made in China do not limit themselves to commenting upon the obvious targets of sports and game shows. As well as demonstrating the essentially trivial nature of most games they ambitiously draw in also the origins of the urge to contend growing in teenagers desperate to be the first to get a first kiss or courting popularity by hiding their natural abilities to avoid offending a friend. Somewhere along the way, it is suggested, competition stops being fun and becomes hazardous – an excuse for ruthless behavour and exploitation.

The structure of the play alternates between the characters delivering monologues, setting out their ambitions and past experiences,with the extremely silly games in which they compete. The switch between broad comedy and dark humour is, however, disquieting rather than inconsistent. There is a desperation behind all of the games that is hard to ignore no matter how trivial they seem.

Many of the tasks have a nasty edge of humiliation. The trio almost choke trying to stuff into their mouths the maximum number of marshmallows. Ira and Jess spinning themselves dizzy and falling delirious to the floor as they race to cross a finish line brings to mind the marathon runners who are reduced to staggering like zombies. The intrinsic cruelty of ambition is shown as runners-up in the games are subject to physical assault and verbal humiliation.

Part of the success of the production is dependent upon the willing involvement of the audience that is certainly present at the Royal Exchange. When the cast ask for volunteers from the audience to take part in a dance-off three lads in the front row jump up so fast you’d swear they were a plant.

In a cocky conclusion the company demonstrate the full corrosive effect of the excesses of competition. A final monologue quotes extensively from speeches by our joke Prime Minister, David Cameron.

Gym Party is a rarity in exploring serious themes in a way that secures maximum audience involvement and remains disturbingly entertaining rather than depressing.

Gym Party continues to tour. Full details are here.

– David Cunningham