Rise and Fall of a Northern Star (Re:Play – Salford)

The Rise and Fall of a Northern Star transports audiences to early nineties Manchester with the tale of a singer who looks set for stardom at the height of the MADchester era only to fall like so many others when the bubble bursts.

Stella Grundy is utterly engrossing as Tracy Star, the lead singer of Northern Star who gets a record deal only to then break down under the pressures of a mercenary industry. She swaggers like Shaun Ryder towards the microphone, then belts out songs with a deep, strong voice.

Grundy is a talented songwriter and wordsmith and with phrases that include "eyes like piss holes in the snow", it seems fitting that Tracy Star’s first gig should be at the pub where John Cooper Clarke is performing. As Tracy spirals into a drugged up haze, Grundy plays with words repeating and repeating phrases until it sounds like she is remixing herself for a dance track.

The stage, which is in the lower depths of the Lowry theatre in a small room where the orchestra rests between performances, is perfect for the bedroom of Tracy’s family home. But for the other scenes Grundy doesn’t need a set, she paints a convincing picture from the long narrow room of Tracy’s first gig surrounded by angry Cooper Clarke fans, to the grounds of the fancy studio complete with lake.

Grundy’s storytelling combined with her musical talent keeps the production engaging right to the end. Poetic, funny, and completely immersive The Rise and Fall of a Northern Star is an absolute triumph.

The Rise and Fall of a Northern Star is at the Lowry until 22 January.

– Joanna Ing