Jock Night at Hope Mill Theatre Review
Written by Thomas for Theatre & Tonic
Disclaimer: Gifted tickets in exchange for an honest review
The award winning Hope Mill Theatre is a small fringe venue with very cosy spacing situated in Ancoats, Manchester, known for its high quality productions of musicals, original work and other events, with other endeavours such as the Hope Mill Theatre School, its pioneering arts access to locals, keeping the arts alive and broadening their reach through other charitable affairs.
Complete with a star-studded cast, from Olympic Champion Matthew Mitcham playing Simon/Hunter to TV royalty David Paisley playing Ben. Written and created by the in-house director of the Hope Theatre Company, Adam Zane, Jock Night’s been on a gay-volution journey since conception as a gayby starting as a short scene in 2017 as part of Hive North’s OutStageUs new-writing event, to touring as a one-act play in 2019 before reaching its final gay-volution stage, the daddy stage, where in 2023 it became a full-length production earning two Offie Award nominations.
Starting off with a bang (pun completely intended) dressed in the skimpiest of jockstraps and setting the tone for the evening, we’re met by the characters of Russel, played by James Colebrook and Kam, played by Eddie Ahrens, as together they enjoy their latest conquest, AJ played by Gabriel Clark, at Ben’s flat in central Manchester. Jock Night tells the story of a group of friends as they explore the highs and lows of the Manchester drug fuelled, party packed and chem sex scenes.
This show is excellently entertaining and effortlessly educational, bringing the cute and the comedy to the very real issues of chem sex, HIV awareness and sex education in schools; delivering a dose of reality and relatability to its prime audience of cisgender gay men, all while juxtaposed with the eye candy of the scantily clad performers.
Although predominantly an exploration of contemporary queer life through use of razor-sharp wit, comedic gags and the occasional slapstick scene, there are heartfelt, laugh out loud and emotional moments throughout. The standout performance comes from James Colebrook’s emotive monologue towards the end of act two, showcasing his acting chops, sensitive side and that he owns more clothes than just jock straps!
“Cheers Queers” to the fabulous success that is Jock Night – running at the Hope Mill Theatre until Saturday May 31st – don’t walk, gay walk to the Hope Mill to be able to see this stellar show before it closes!
★★★★
