3 of the best from 24:7 - highlights of Manchester's premiere theatre festival at the Octagon

The 24:7 Theatre Festival is Manchester’s award-winning annual showcase of new one-hour plays by local writers, performed by some of the best regional acting talent, in non-theatre venues.  For the first time since its launch in 2004, selected 24:7 highlights will be staged at the Octagon.

The three productions that appeared at the Octagon Theatre from 7 to 9 September were as follows:

The Judgement of Mr Jenkins

Presented by Second Nature Theatre Company

Writer: Ross Andrews

Mr Jenkins wakes from a disturbed sleep to find a smartly dressed stranger in his living room. The stranger is as reluctant to give answers as he is to leave...  This play was a dark comedy which explores how our everyday choices and seemingly irrelevant actions can have serious consequences.

‘Sharply written by Ross Andrews and compellingly presented, this is yet another winner in this year’s remarkably impressive 24:7 Theatre Festival’

Manchester Evening News

Vegetable

Presented by Write-On Productions

Writer: Diane Whitley

Imagine the nightmare scenario of waking up one morning to discover you are trapped inside your own body - unable to move or speak.  This is what happens to Estelle, attacked in her home and left for dead two months earlier.  How can she communicate to her doctors and family that she is not a vegetable?  Who attacked her?  And why?

Canaveral's Lurch

Presented by Black Box Productions

Writer: Neil A Edwards

Five years after his career is brought crashing down in flames, disgraced television star Ross Canaveral takes revenge on the journalist who ruined him.  Casting him centre-stage in a media-circus of his own twisted devising, Canaveral forces him to confront the question: What is the real cost of a headline?

‘Writer Neil Edwards, who also plays the lead role of Ross Canaveral, the TV illusionist, has created a gripping and almost credible scenario, pointedly exposing the way in which a journalist can make his name by ruining someone else’s life’

Manchester Evening News

For more information on the 24:7 Theatre Festival, visit www.247theatrefestival.co.uk.