Review by Paul Towers, 16/8/22
The MP, Aunty Mandy and Me written and performed by Rob Ward
Directed by Clive Judd
Produced by Emerson Ward in association with Curve
At Curve til Saturday 17/8/22
“So good I saw it twice”
I was so blown away by this production when I first saw it in March 2020 that I jumped at the opportunity to revisit it.
Tucked away in Curve’s intimate Rehearsal Room No 2 on the mezzanine you feel as though you are part of the story. And in a way many of us are or were.
This is the story of Dom who is doing that thing all youngsters do and that is flail around looking for an identity, a purpose in life. He is convinced that if he can be a gay influencer he will find the perfect boyfriend and get away from his drug addled mother and the dreary, dead end town he lives in. Reclining permanently in an armchair and regularly topping herself up with MDMA, or her Aunty Mandy’s as she calls them, his mother is no role model.
But of course life never works out like that.
To get away from his mother’s nagging he takes a job as an intern with the local Labour MP, who happens to be gay and out. The MP, of course, takes advantage and subtly coerces Dom into a world of gay sex and drugs that he had never dreamed of. Although willingly led astray the MP is still taking advantage of Dom’s aspirations. Of course when the next pretty face, bisexual Joey, turns up in the MP’s office Dom is gently dumped in favour of the new boy.
Ward’s clever script is liberally laced with innuendo, double entendre and hilarious misunderstandings. Under the expert guidance of director Clive Judd Ward slides effortlessly from character to character, each one easily identifiable.
Under Curve’s association Emerson Ward have been producing gems like this for nearly 10 years and the next production is in development as we speak.
The MP, Aunty Mandy & Me is back at Curve tomorrow, Saturday 17th and then on tour. Details on Emmerson Ward’s website
