Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz Review

Written by Beth P for Theatre and Tonic

Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review

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Winner of the 2022 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, Nathan Queeley-Dennis’ debut play, Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz, is a witty peek into the life of a young black man in Britain. Nathan explores dating, friend WhatsApp groups, and family tensions.

Directed by Dermot Daly, with design by Rūta Irbīte, there is a static set, where Queely-Dennis stands alone on a platform covered in a red drape with a red drape behind and a pile of assorted clothes scattered around him.. The show never feels static though, with a fluid style which propels the story along.

Lighting reflects different social media chats, and paired with clever seamless sound inserts the play is a real joy to watch. Between a conversation with Beyoncé song lyrics and a retelling of group chat reactions, it is easy to forget you are watching a one man show.

Queeley-Dennis is charming, and his ingenious writing ensures that the play feels like a conversation with a friend and is fully engaged with his audience. The Play finishes, despite all the jokes, by taking a sobering look at the reality of modern living, encouraging all to move to a state of living rather than simply existing. This is not a play to miss.

★★★★