Review: JB Shorts 27 at 53two
A lively night of six new short plays at 53two - a Manchester institution where big ideas pack a punch in 15 minutes.
There is something thrilling about the JB Shorts formula - six brand-new plays, each just 15 minutes long. If one doesn’t quite land, another one is waiting in the wings. Lo-fi sets, swift transitions and a grab-bag sense of surprise make this long-running night of short plays a Manchester institution - part theatrical lucky dip, part creative risk.
This latest edition, JB Shorts 27, sees regular writers Dave Simpson, Peter Kerry, Trevor Suthers and James Quinn joined by Sarah Macdonald Hughes, Rebecca Ramsden and Jayshree Patel. The result is an evening that’s lively, varied and occasionally uneven – but definitely never dull.
Macdonald Hughes opens with Track and Field, a darkly funny exploration of female friendship and moral compromise set on the sidelines of a kids’ athletics club. Starring the writer alongside Rosina Carbone, it’s witty, sharply observed and a strong start to the night.
Next up, Old Love by Dave Simpson is the standout of the evening – a warm, funny and gently moving two-hander starring Julie Edwards and Steve Hillman as two lifelong Man City fans reunited decades after a teenage romance. Directed by Ian Puleston-Davies, it’s tender and playful, capturing both the ache and humour of growing older.
Song for Tyso, written by Peter Kerry, attempts to tackle grief and suicide during a reunion of old university friends. Though the intention is admirable, the piece tries to do too much within its short running time, leaving little room for emotional depth. Performances feel strained rather than sincere.
After the interval, They F*ck You Up, co-written by Jayshree Patel and Rebecca Ramsden, offers a clever intergenerational comedy set at a funeral wake. It’s an ambitious concept – Boomers to Gen Z all under one roof – with flashes of wit and personality.
Departures, by Trevor Suthers, explores ideas of fate and faith through the image of a guardian angel in an airport lounge. It’s a thoughtful concept that never quite takes flight, powered by steady performances by Liam Grunshaw and Nicola Gardner.
Finally, Higher Definition, written by James Quinn, closes the night on a charming, comic note. A domestic debate about buying a new TV becomes a tender portrait of long-term love – a fittingly light and relatable end to the evening.
Uneven but entertaining, JB Shorts 27 proves why this homegrown showcase endures. Short plays, big ideas, and always a fabulous Manchester audience ready to go along for the ride.
