Maine Road – Lowry Theatre, Salford

Writer: Sarah McDonald Hughes

Director: Martin Gibbons

Visuals: Porl Cooper

Reviewer: Sebastian Farrell

The Public Reviews Rating:

Manchester City and theatre happen to be two of the biggest loves in my life, I have often thought myself a bit of a walking parody but tonight proved that the two can successfully walk hand in hand. I never believed I would get the opportunity to enjoy both football and theatre together at the same time although it has to be said, as a City fan, there have been many tears AND much laughter during my time pursuing BOTH pastimes.

In this case Sarah McDonald Hughes has taken her critically acclaimed and successful radio play and turned it into a very different theatrical experience. Premiering in Manchester in 2009 ‘Maine Road’ tells the story of Leo (Daniel Fitzsimons) and his struggles coping with the collapse of his family life and home following the death of his Grandmother, all under the shadow of the impending demolition of his (and mine) much loved local football stadium, Maine Road.

The play very cleverly uses slides to portray the many different areas both surrounding and inside Maine Road itself and it feels quite nostalgic and heart warming at times, clearly the visuals by Porl Cooper are well researched and prepared as at times it feels very much like being back there myself. Likewise the sound design by Mat Clowes is intricately prepared, I’m not sure whether it was Mat or not who prepared the music but each brought back memories of happy times down on the Kippax.

The set design is very basic and consists of four sky blue boxes being used in a whole host of ways to create desks, beds, yard walls, front doors and a multitude of other scenes. I found the set changes quite drawn out and perhaps too long between scenes, we are often made to watch a poorly choreographed ‘box push dance’ to music which slowed things down and I think could have been approached in a different more practical way. The direction by Martin Gibbons was good, it must be difficult transferring what is fundamentally a radio play to the stage and, set changing aside, the play ran at a good pace and was a believable piece of reflective theatre.

The cast of six perform well together particularly Daniel Fitzsimons as our hero Leo giving a touching sometimes too realistic characterisation of a long suffering Man City fan and showing off some neat ball skills as well, his sister Jade played by writer Sarah McDonald Hughes clearly showing her talents don’t stop with the pen.

Thomas Aldersley is excellent as Leos unsupportive and selfish Dad Clive, Marie Critchley has the opportunity to really get her teeth into the part of Leo’s dejected and abrupt Mum Elaine but I feel she could give a lot more to give her character more pathos and believability. Finally Francesca Waite who plays both Donna and the Landlady to a good standard, adding some much needed humour to the proceedings (occasionally at City’s expense!)

My expectations for this play were high and after seeing Nedum Onuoha sat behind me and City fans turning up wearing scarves my excitement was probably higher, I thoroughly enjoyed the piece despite its lack in pace and odd dip in performance, it is unique, sad, nostalgic, warm and occasionally funny, it is also about families and Manchester City which in my eyes makes it one of the finest pieces of theatre I have ever witnessed.

My Mother always told me not to go near that ‘Maine Road’ but in this case it may very well be worth going and having a look for yourself.

Runs at the Lowry until 20th March 2010