Writer /Director: Mike Heath

Reviewer: Tracey Lowe

The Public Reviews Rating:

Following the success of ‘Cake’, which was performed as part of the 24:7 Theatre Festival in 2007, Mike Heath has written a sequel, continuing the lives of two very different families. In this episode, Tommy and Val are preparing for the wedding of their son, Julian, and wrecking the house that belongs to their neighbours, Jim and Linda, in the process. As tensions flare, and people are wrongly medicated, it looks as though the day may end in complete disaster.

‘Cake – Another Slice’ has a wonderful script, with some real biting dialogue. It is full of candid, Alan Bennett-esque lines; a particular highlight was Jim comparing overdressed neighbour Val as having “the head of a blow-up doll with the body of a shih-tzu with alopecia”.

The actors’ performances are definitely on a par with the great script. Jeni Howarth-Williams is outstanding as pouty, precocious Val, switching from sulky to snippy with alarming ease. Her outrageous performance was only matched by her huge, orange dress, glowing slightly less than her sun-kissed skin. Her exchanges with Darren’s Scott Jim in the opening scene are pure comedic genius.

A special mention must go to Garry Hayden and Mark Frampton, who played young men Dave and Julian, and did a suspiciously convincing job of appearing to be under the influence of non-prescription medication. Their gurning drew riotous laughter from certain sections of the audience.

This was a great combination of great writing with an experienced, accomplished cast. It was encouraging to see a fair-sized audience brave a rainy Salford evening to see this slick, hilarious piece.

Runs until 16th September 2012

Cake: Another Slice – The King’s Arms, Salford, 5.0 out of 5 based on 1 rating

Tags: 24:7 Theatre Festival, Alan Bennett, Cake, Cake Another Slice, Comedy, Darren Scott, Drama, fringe theatre, Garry Hayden, Jeni Howarth-Williams, Kings Arms, Mark Frampton, Mike Heath, Salford, Theatre