Eric Vs The Beaver – 53Two, Manchester

Writer: Liam High

Director: James Cave

Eric has lost his job, and it’s not the first time. He’s about as flaky as his boyfriend Harry is a grafter – always staying late at the office and worrying about work. It’s all making Eric feel pretty useless – until a TV documentary gives him an unexpected idea about his transferable skills. He’s good looking, he’s great in bed and he likes the idea of working short hours. Why hadn’t he thought of it sooner – he’ll be a sex worker.

It’s Charlie and Debbie’s tenth wedding anniversary and they’re having a bit of a time of it. The shine seems to have worn off. When an attempt at a romantic evening turns into a night of unexpected revelations – and Charlie unceremoniously booted out of the house – it’s just the start of a brilliantly unexpected plot that just keeps giving. So, no spoilers here.

Eric Vs the Beaver starts as a gentle comedy drama. Two couples navigating the challenges of relationships. You’re lulled into thinking you know what you’re getting – until it all suddenly spirals into a fast-paced dark farce. Think Alan Ayckbourn meets Joe Orton and you’re getting somewhere close.

The hard-working cast of four keep the tempo up throughout. At the centre of the action is Harry Wright, brilliantly authentic as Eric, who’s convincing himself that he can carry his plans through but finding every which way to avoid it. Mo Caldon’s Harry is suitably shifty and evasive from the start about what he’s been up to during all those late evenings at the office. Charlotte Dalton and Jamie Peacock introduce us to Debbie and Charlie as a rather boring married couple – but not for long as their shocking secrets start to emerge. Dalton delectably transforms from demure to feisty from one scene to another in a classic case of the revenge of the woman wronged.

On a very basic set (bed, sofa, pot plant), James Cave’s direction is fast-paced and dynamic. Harry Wright’s Eric has a nervous energy that sees him barely still for a moment. Charlotte Dalton spends a lot of time doing angry pacing. There are some moments of brilliantly choreographed comic action that verge on slapstick, and work well as the action spirals into farce. It’s a credit to writer, director and cast that these unexpected swerves work so well and nothing seems out of place.

Design rather lets the play down. The set is scrappy, takes too much time to change between scenes and doesn’t visually set the tone the play needs. It gets in the way. There’s too much rearranging of bedding and watering of a pointless pot plant, all of which creates unnecessary distraction. The writing, direction and performances deserve better.

Manchester-based Writer Liam High is clearly one to watch. His previous play Some Masterchef S**t was award winning and well received at Edinburgh Fringe and the opportunity to develop Eric Vs The Beaver came after his entering 53two’s annual new writing festival, OffCut and winning the Audience Award for Favourite Play. It’s also where he was paired up with Director James Cave, something that seems like a winning combination.

And what’s with The Beaver? Well, you’ll just have to see this hugely entertaining play to find out.

Runs until 18 September 2026