By Sam Gosling
Photography: David Moneith Hodge
Gary McNair brings his latest production to Manchester after a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival.
McNair’s latest play ‘Letters to Morrissey’ is a story of an awkward teenager who when told by his school counselor to find somebody to talk to, chooses indie icon Morrissey.
The audience are first introduced to McNair lay on the floor, miming to Morrissey songs through headphones in a childlike bedroom. This 15-year-old boy at the centre of McNair’s first-person monologue, attempts to engage with Morrissey through a series of letters. But as his letters go answered, you quickly see him unravel and try to find answers to his questions.
The young McNair meets Tony, a fellow misfit, and strikes up a friendship. “Come round anytime, you’re always welcome,” says Tony, giving him a prized-possession: a Blue Peter badge. This relationship breaks down though, with McNair no longer welcome as years pass. The reasons why are dealt with brilliantly and he even manages to inject humour to some very dark issues.
The show very much pivots on McNair’s performance, which is funny as he navigates through the monologue with wit and brings some touching moments along the way. McNair holds his audience with comedic anecdotes and very real, emotional scenes. It is by no means a perfect hour, and does at times feel like it is stuck between fandom and a piece about friendship, however, McNair has put together an entertaining show.
‘Letters to Morrissey’ is definitely worth a watch as it provides some laughs. At its heart, the play is a lesson to never meet your idols, even if this meeting never actually takes place. It’s a good story about growing up and realising that all people are flawed. Even Morrissey fans.
Letters to Morrissey runs at HOME until Saturday 16th September.
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