JB Shorts 27 – 53Two, Manchester

Writers: Sarah McDonald Hughes, Dave Simpson, Peter Kerry, Jayshree Patel & Rebecca Ramsden, Trevor Suthers, James Quinn

Creative Director: Adam Cachia

After a tricky period, JB Shorts is back and, more importantly, it is back on top form. The Manchester theatrical institution faced controversy ahead of its last set of performances. Something that cut the night of six short plays down to just five. The 27^th iteration, however, sees a return to the well-loved format. Two acts of three plays. Each distinct, each brilliantly well written, each a joy to watch.

In Track and Field, two athletics Mums watch their kids train when one offers to kill someone for the other. How on earth did this pair get here? Sarah McDonald Hughes’ script takes us back in time to show vignettes of their relationship from the beginning. This is a prime example of what makes JB Shorts so brilliant. An innovative and intriguing premise, grounded in authenticity and reality. A tight, naturalistic script with zero extraneous words. Imaginative, yet unfussy, direction from Martin Gibbons.

Then there is the acting. McDonald Hughes and Rosina Carbone are utterly believable as Kelly and Cat. Love, loss, trauma, friendship, parenting. It is all there. Emotional, funny and heartwarming.

Unbelievably, Old Love is even better. Dave Simpson’s story of two old flames who meet again at a City match had the audience in tears. Julie Edwards and Steven Hillman are sublime, and you could happily spend hours watching the pair play these characters. They are working with a gift of a script by Simpson which is packed full of pathos and laugh out loud lines. Plus, a genuine twist to be savoured and applauded. Kudos, too, to Ian Puleston-Davies for the deft direction. With just a few subtle set changes and tweaks of mannerisms the audience was transported each time to the terraces, the pub, the front room.

The level of intrigue and emotion doesn’t drop for the final performance of act one: Song for Tyso. Three uni pals reunite after many years for a camping trip. This is a bouji camping trip, though, thanks to the host’s mysteriously acquired wealth. In fact, there is quite a bit of mystery surrounding Steve (Andrew Roy). He’s not telling the whole story to his two old bandmates (Richard Oldham and Joe Simpson), although they clearly know a bit more than Steve realises. Seeing three well-drawn and complex middle aged male characters talking so honestly and truthfully actually feels quite rare. Peter Kerry’s storyline and script is really engaging. It also delivers an emotional gut punch to take the audience into the interval in wonder at the talent of the first half.

When they return, there is a coffin centre stage. They F*ck You Up begins with a reworking of the famous class sketch, swapping out the different classes for different generations. It’s a neat introduction to the story by Jayshree Patel and Rebecca Ramsden. Bazza’s Mum has died and he’s, awkwardly, spending time with his estranged daughter and granddaughter. This is a smartly-observed exploration of the tricky relationships we have with our parents and the quirk that grandparents and grandchildren can often bond more easily. It canters along nicely, the three are enjoyable characters to spend time with and the twist is fun.

From the realistic to the slightly fantastical. Trevor Suthers’ Departures will have you thinking. In front of a cleverly projected airport departure board, a couple (Nicola Gardner and Liam Grunshaw) bicker before their flight. This one could easily be spoilt, so, suffice to say, it is an interesting premise which is well acted and, largely, holds the audience’s attention.

The night concludes with James Quinn’s Higher Definition. Simply directed by JB Shorts Creative Director Adam Cachia, this is a simple tale of an elderly couple mulling the benefits of an upgrade to the telly. That doesn’t really tell the full story, though. This is actually a vehicle for an exploration of some existential questions about life, happiness and relationships. It fuses the cerebral and mundane in a way that is both brilliant and intrinsically northern. Wendy Patterson is pitch perfect as Meg and her delivery and comic timing is one of the moments of the night.

Aside from the brilliant work on stage, the highlight of the evening is seeing people mingling in the bar at 53Two, swapping stories about their favourite JB Shorts nights over the 15 plus years. One couple even got to take the first picture of the plaque they’ve had installed under the arches. A plaque with a written tribute to the theatre night they love so much.

Past success is no guarantee of future results. We can’t take nights like JB Shorts for granted. But, if this selection is anything to go by, the near future is pretty safe.

Runs until 4 October 2025.