Writer: Kat Rose-Martin
Director: Vicky Moran
£1 Thursdays might trigger perceptions of low quality with its title, but this furiously funny coming-of-age tale is excellent value for money. In the safe hands of accomplished Bradford-born playwright Kat Rose-Martin, audiences can celebrate and confront the realities of being young, Northern and working class.
Typical best friends, Stacey and Jen are peas in a pod helming from different lives. Stacey wants to be a dancer, while Jen has a knack for Maths. Jen is an only child and adored by her mum Leanne, while Stacey feels overshadowed by an ever-growing horde of siblings. And Jen has a reputation for getting around, while Stacey is becoming intensely wrapped up with her boyfriend Nate. Yet they can both agree that £1 Thursdays at Club Ocean is the best night of the week. So, as the end of college and a new chapter of life looms, neither has any desire to part ways.
While the one-act play runs a little long, the extended time spent showcasing the friendship between Stacey and Jen early on strengthens the emotional blows to come. Rose-Martin captures their down-to-earth connection in a frank and relatable way, which develops into an achingly honest account of how university prospects can unravel even the oldest friendships.
Yasmin Taheri and Monique Ashe-Palmer re-define ‘power couple’ with an incredibly entertaining and cohesive portrayal of best friendship. The way the duo plays off each other is silly yet grounded, brilliantly capturing a young connection on the cusp of adulthood. When the time does come to dig deeper, each rises to the occasion as their friendship hits rock bottom. Taheri, in particular, is incredibly vulnerable when Jen’s sexual freedom gets called into question, giving a gut-wrenching and raw presentation of a betrayed friend.
Intelligent design choices by Ethan Cheek see bold, specific details stand out against an otherwise minimal production. The abrasively fluorescent pre-drink potions, the charmingly customised queue banners, the ever-changing outfits, and the throwback tunes of Roly Botha’s sound design all scream of an instantly recognisable teen clubbing experience.
£1 Thursdays packs a much bigger punch than the cheap clubbing experience it pays homage to and audiences should prepare to be deeply invested in this endearing tale.
Runs until 22 December 2023
