Plus One…? – Lowry Theatre, Salford
Writer/Director: Mike Heath
Reviewer: Richard Hall
The Public Reviews Rating: 
The one professionally run venue in Greater Manchester that can truly say it opens its doors to home grown talent is the studio at The Lowry. On average during each season it hosts upwards of 10 local theatre companies.
Plus One…? is written by Salford playwright Mike Heath, who with a small dedicated band of supporters is the driving force behind Studio Salford, based at the nearby Kings Arms, one of the leading producers of fringe theatre in the North West. Mike Heath has been at the forefront of new writing in Greater Manchester for almost a decade. In 2006 he won a coveted MEN award for his comedy, The Game of Two Halves. With this ably performed and well written revival it is easy to see why.
When gay singleton, Jay receives an invitation to his cousin’s wedding, he decides that at all costs he cannot go alone. In order to attract a significant other he realises he’ll have to make some considerable changes in his life to do so. Hampered by an alcoholic mother who is unable to keep anything to herself, secrets and lies from the past come to hinder Jay, as he sets out to find a perfect partner to be his plus one.
The plot is reminiscent of many late 90’s TV sitcoms and the early plays of Gimme, Gimme creator Jonathan Harvey. Heath’s characters are well drawn and go beyond the usual stereotypes so often depicted in contemporary working class comedies. Ste Myott as Jay leads the cast brilliantly and is given wonderful comic support by Sarah Adams and Peter Carruthers as his two hapless flatmates.
Jokes run thick and fast and Heath’s sparking dialogue provides some great one liners. Heath also directs and the best comic moments in the piece are when as director, he sets ups some fantastic visual gags, especially when Jeni Howarth-Williams as Jay’s alcoholic, Las Vegas worshipping mother, takes centre stage. Her performance is a master class in comic timing and physical theatre.
Plus One…? is a delightful and extremely funny comedy. The audience that I saw it with loved it. I look forward to watching Mike Heath’s future work and hope that it won’t be too long before he and his Company, mediamedea, are back at The Lowry.
Runs until 16th July
Tags: Fringe, Jeni Howarth-Williams, Jonathan Harvey, Mike Heath, Peter Carruthers, Plus One, Salford, Sarah Adams, Ste Myott, Studio Salford, The Lowry
10:15 am on July 17th, 2010
I always look forward to seeing plays by up-and-coming playwrights. Therefore I was really excited about the prospect of Plus one…?
However I was very disappointed by this production. While the first half was better than the second, I thought in general that it lacked sophistication. I think the dialogue was heavy and clunky at times. There were some laughs to be sure, but I think the writing did let the whole thing down.
The actors were ok and I think the ones playing Terrie and the man she eventually married were the best. I think Jay was one dimensional. Also, Jay’s mother proved that having a Northern accent and being drunk are not automatically humorous.
The plain white sheet of A4 that constituted the programme added to the unprofessional air of this production. I was disappointed as I really wanted to like it but the writing was poor and the acting only average.
7:14 pm on July 17th, 2010
Angelba – Did you actually go and see the same play as we did. I thought that the cast were really good, and made great use of separate spaces on the stage to convey the story.
I also have to totally disagree with you about Jeni Howarth-Williams, and all my friends who saw it thought exactly the same. I have seen this play twice and would pay again just to get to see Jeni do her amazing portrayal of the alcoholic Cher obsessed Mum, and if you want a lesson in comic timing then watch the wedding scene again, a piece Les Dawson would have been proud of.
Not everyone is going to like the story, but if you come away from this play and do not see someone you know then you are living a very blinkered life.
9:25 pm on July 17th, 2010
I, along with the reviewer and the audience, with obvious exception of Angelba, (to quote a line from the play) “AKA Anne Widdecombe on the blob”, enjoyed this piece from start to finish.
I think the piece was beautifully written, although a comedy, it had some very touching moments and in amongst the laughter I could hear some audience members crying. I was indeed touched by the journey of each character.
The young actor who played Jay gave a very mature grounded performance and anchored the whole piece. His two flatmates wonderfully contrasting in their shared accomadation, both giving super performances in their own right.
A fabulous ensemble cast, but, I have to give special mention to Tactful Tim, a character I am sure, we all know someone similar and avoid like the plague, beautifully executed by Chris Barlow.
Then of course there is Belle played by Jeni Howarth Williams, here I agree with Angelba, a Northern accent and being drunk are not automatically humorous,but, Jenis exceptional characterisation and performance was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. Although from her credits, she is well accomplished, watch this space, she is a star of the future.
I will be looking out for more of Mr Heaths work and attending with great anticipation.
Well done everyone what a success and thankyou, I truly appreciate the fact you gave me all the cast, crew and play information without providing glossy adverts that only add to the destruction of our planet.
10:27 pm on July 17th, 2010
Hiya Richard
Awwh how lovely…………just back from Vegas and just thought Id say……what a lovely review.I know the saying is nobody likes a clever dick, but I love you, cos u are clever and a really good judge of character, youre totally right about me beautiful gay son.
As for you Angelbad…to quote meself “you wanna shut it…. youre proper showing yourself up” You and me on Jeremy Kyle NOW!!!!!!!…..and who are you calling drunk?… Im totally tee total!!!!!
Listen it feels like your lacking a bit of sophistication yourself, you Southern misery guts…do you not get out much…get yourself down to your local swinging club and loosen up…its proper chic you know….
To quote me gay son “Out with anger…in with love”
In the words of the great woman herself…”Love and Understanding” try it chuck…cos you sound like a bitter nasty pasty who is as thick as pig poo…if you dont mind me saying love….
hey but do pop over for afternoon tea…and Ill bake, well, buy a cake xxxxxxxx
12:38 am on July 18th, 2010
The first comment, although an opinion, doesn’t do justice to the hard work that was put in to make the play what it was. The actors I worked with and the writer are absolutely fantastic in what they do and it was an absolute pleasure to work with the guys. I felt the show was received extremely well and the “average acting” comment is slightly insulting.
Thanks.
3:38 pm on July 20th, 2010
This was the first play from Mike Heath that I’ve seen.
It will not be the last.
It was well acted and directed, side-splittingly funny and the number of personality traits I related to directly is ironic.
Relationships are an infinitely mixed bunch of concepts, highs and lows. Thias play laid so many of them out in a well illustrated and at times personal way.
It was entertaining and a thing of beauty at the same time, taht’s rare.
The programme was printed in one colour, on mostly recycled A4 paper without any guff or adverts … bravo for that too.
9 out of 10 … I can’t wait to see more of Mike Heath’s work, a writer I suspect has a very bright future.