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CYCM this Saturday - theatre in the afternoon

This Saturday we’re turning things on its head and morphing our ‘club night in the afternoon’ into a ‘theatre in the afternoon’.

Rob Ward from Working Progress Theatre Company will be this week’s turn, putting on a few scenes from his critically acclaimed play ‘Away From Home’, and following it up with a Q and A session.

Fresh from a three night run at the Lowry, the play is directed by Martin Jameson and written by and starring Rob Ward. It tells the story of Kyle, a male escort who’s hired by a Premiership footballer. He ends up falling in love with him; something not exactly straightforward when you consider there isn’t currently a single openly gay professional player in Britain.

Recent events with former Aston Villa player Thomas Hitzlsperger coming out in Germany have only served to highlight the issue further, so as you’re probably aware it’s a hot topic.

It is also Football versus Homophobia month. FvH is an international initiative opposing homophobia in football at all levels - from grassroots to professional clubs. Find out more click here. So it is very apt we have this play on during February.

If the reviews are anything to go by, we’re in for a right treat. The Independent have this to say about Rob: “(he) produces a theatrical tour de force….. He is an amazing actor.???, while What’s on Stage describe the play as “an exciting piece of theatre, everybody involved should be applauded. It’s easy to see why this play is still the talk of the town.??? It’ll be followed up by a Q and A session, so none of that getting all shy and looking at your shoes malarkey when it comes to doing the asking.

If you want, you can find more out about Working Progress click here and following them on Twitter on @WPTheatre.

Now I could get all pretentious and say it won’t be the only drama of the day, as FC then take on Stafford Rangers in the un-remitting, brutal theatre that is football, but that would be a load of old codswallop. Instead, let’s focus on what we’ve got in store for you before kick-off:

10:30 The set needs decorating. Well, the flags and scarves need putting up, and the Oddies are on hand to make it happen

11:30 Mike Noodles enters stage left. Or right. I’m not sure which is which, to be honest. Either way, he’s got his rather fantastic homemade veggie pizza and ultra-rare veggie hotdogs

12:00 Curtain up (doors open)

12:15 Dave Frilly attempts to make as dramatic an entrance as possible, but seeing as he has the cheese and onion pies and tater ‘ash from Westwells with him, their savoury aromas give him away

2:00 Taking You Round The Corner. Pure pantomime

2:20 Away From Home- see below

3:00 Curtain down (i.e. get out and watch the football)

3:45 Half-time. Or as we call it in the theatre, the interval. No choc ices though, I’m afraid

As ever, we’ll also have prizes-a-plenty with Taking You Round The Corner. Because the weather’s been proper dog-poopy this year, we’ve still got all the prizes from last year we didn’t shift. Fancy a few DVDs? An FC birdhouse? A trip to the Caribbean? Well all you need to do is separate the truth from the lies and play the nation’s favourite quiz. And book a flight and pay for it yourself if you want to go to the Caribbean (look, we wouldn’t even pay for you to get the 192 to Stockport, let alone to exotic climes, so dream on).

Finally, Closer-Each-Day-Stu From The Bay will be hawking his wares from his market stall. Old issues of A Fine Lung, hats, t-shirts, books and Stu’s warm Welsh welcome will all be available, with all proceeds going to FC United of Manchester. Just don’t engage him in conversation about his George Foreman grill. He only bought it last year, but to him it’s the most advanced piece of technology he’s ever come across, and he will willingly talk for hours about its incredible grilling properties. You have been warned.



First Posted ~ 09:42 Thu 6 Feb 2014
News ID ~ 5339
Last Updated ~ 00:47 Tue 16 Feb 2021