The Rainbow Connection (re:play – Salford)

The Rainbow Connection is another gem from 2011’s 24:7 Theatre Festival to be given new life as part of the Library Theatre’s re:play.

This time around there is casting change with Erin Shanagher playing the role of Shelly, originally played by Danielle Henry. Shanagher jumped into the part at the eleventh hour, fitting in rehearsals in between filming the new series of ITV’s Scott and Bailey. Not that you would notice. Her performance is so believable, that it appears the part could have been written with this actress in mind.

Described as a rom com without the rom, the play is an unconventional love story between motor-mouth, Shelly and her reclusive gay neighbour, Joe (Anthony Crank). In true sit-com style, most of the action takes place within the sitting room of Joe’s penthouse apartment, with Joanne Sherryden‘s lively script and Adam Zane‘s tight direction keeping things moving along at a cracking pace.

Through the course of the play we find that both characters have got more than their fair share of issues to contend with, but their unlikely friendship brings some much needed sparkle back into both of their lives.

The Rainbow Connection is a fun, heart-warming tale, with plenty of laughs along the way and more than a little touch of magic.

– Carmel Thomason