300 Every Hour at The Uproar Festival, Liverpool Review
Written by Grace for Theatre and Tonic
300 Every Hour is a bold and thought-provoking piece of theatre that tackles a deeply serious subject with an unexpected balance of humour and honesty. Using verbatim material drawn from real-life experiences of prostate cancer, the play follows Sam, his fiancée Penny, and their friend Alfie as they attempt to process a life-changing diagnosis.
Throughout the show, real-life quotes are displayed on two LED backdrop walls. This is highly effective, constantly reinforcing the reality behind the story and reminding the audience that this is not just fiction, but a reflection of lived experience. Despite the heavy subject matter, there are many moments of comedy woven throughout. Small hints are cleverly placed across the performance, gradually building a clearer understanding of the storyline and Sam’s journey.
The character of Ally acts as both narrator and something more abstract. She frequently breaks the fourth wall to guide the audience, but also appears as a voice inside Sam’s mind, urging him to get checked and almost representing a wiser, knowing presence. Neely Gale, who is also the co-writer and director, delivers a strong performance in this role, bringing a sense of authenticity and personal connection to the piece. Her references to real-life experiences involving her own family add an extra layer of meaning.
The use of flashbacks works well in helping to structure the narrative, and the inclusion of costume-driven comedic moments—such as the appearance of Freddie Mercury—adds both humour and creativity. These moments, alongside an original song performed with Freddie Mercury, are not only entertaining but also surprisingly thought-provoking, especially when paired with the show’s recurring use of Queen’s music.
One of the most genuine and hard-hitting moments comes when Sam receives his diagnosis. The staging here is particularly effective, with the stage split so the audience can see both the doctor’s perspective and Sam and Alfie’s reaction at the same time. Oliver Bickerstaff, who plays Sam and is also a co-writer, delivers an incredibly emotional and believable performance. Louis Burrell, as Alfie, brings a huge amount of energy and humour to the production, providing much-needed lightness without undermining the seriousness of the subject. Anna Lawlor, playing Penny, ensures that every moment feels grounded and real, adding emotional depth and sincerity.
There was an unexpected show stop towards the end due to a medical issue, but the cast returned and continued seamlessly, showing real professionalism and commitment. Each performer remained fully in character, which is particularly impressive given the circumstances.
A particularly impactful moment comes towards the end of the play, when Sam addresses the audience directly, stating, “Whilst you have been sat here today, over 300 men globally have been diagnosed with prostate cancer.” This is followed by 300 individually numbered balls falling over him, creating a powerful visual representation of the statistic. The show concludes with a slideshow of images of men affected by prostate cancer, accompanied by spoken quotes. The final images, showing members of Neely Gale’s own family, make the ending feel deeply personal and moving.
Overall, 300 Every Hour is an engaging and meaningful production that successfully raises awareness while still managing to entertain. I have given it four stars because I believe that, with a larger budget, further workshopping, and support from relevant charities, this show has the potential to become truly phenomenal and make an even greater impact in raising awareness for illnesses that are too often ignored.
★ ★ ★ ★
