A MANCHESTER ANTHEM - REVIEW

And on the sixth day, God created Manchester…

A Manchester Anthem proved such a hit at this year’s Vault Festival that it’s back by popular demand for the festival’s final weekend.

Tommy (Tom Claxton) is a young working-class Mancunian. He lives with his mum, although the two are like ships that pass in the night, rarely meeting due to their clashing schedules; Tommy is a waiter, and his mum a nurse. Tommy went to private school on a scholarship and is now preparing to study Law at the University of Oxford.

Anna Niamh Gorman’s delightfully makeshift set consists of cardboard boxes displaying the Manchester worker bee. During the show, these are turned to reveal more symbols of the city; the set wonderfully pays homage to the city that inspired the story. The lighting, designed by Caelan Oram, is vibrant, flooding the stage with colour and emulating a club atmosphere. The more emotive moments utilise a single spotlight, ensuring our attention is completely focused on Claxton.

The clue is in the show’s name – music plays throughout with a mixture of genres incorporated, including electronic, house, and rock. This show is as much an ode to music as it is a coming-of-age tale. Music is used as a backdrop, highlighting the importance it plays in our memories.

Nick Dawkin’s script is honest, heartwarming, and relatable. Dawkin places the issues of class divides, feeling as though you don’t fit in, and discovering who you are at the forefront of the show.

Claxton’s performance is outstanding. A natural storyteller, Claxton commands the stage from beginning to end, captivating attention and engaging the audience throughout. The emotions with which Claxton powers his performance are palpable, and the comedic lines are delivered expertly. During the show, Claxton plays other characters briefly, and each time he manages to make these distinct and different, altering his mannerisms, facial expressions, and accent, which is no mean feat, and allows the audience to follow the play with ease.

A Manchester Anthem is storytelling at its finest – a touching tale of finding your place in the world when you feel as though you don’t fit in. The play also serves as a reminder that sometimes our mums know exactly what to say to make us feel better. This is a truly masterful one-person performance.

SAVE THE VAULT FESTIVAL

VAULT Festival has been left without a venue for 2024’s festival and beyond
• VAULT Festival have launched a #SaveVAULT campaign
• The campaign aims are to raise £150,000 by 19th March to support the festival’s survival AND to secure a new home for the festival to continue.
• You can help by donating, helping access funding networks, and helping then find a venue.
• You are officially implored to make the most of 2023’s Festival while it lasts!

{🎟 AD – PR invite – Tickets were gifted in exchange for an honest review}

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