M reviewed

‘M’ @3MT (Three Minute Theatre), Afflecks Palace, Oldham St, Manchester

The firmly based and critically acclaimed Vertigo Theatre Productions return with ‘M’: brought back to the stage after nearly four years, with a few tweaks and twists, but with even more back-stabbing, treachery, sex and pearl clutching moments. ‘M’ based openly on 90’s films like ‘Cruel Intentions’ and ‘Wild Things’ and 40’s/50’s  stage thrillers, is the tale of privileged inheritors Em and her brother Tony plus a group of friends who are not all quite what they appear.

Starting fairly tame (within the context) with an embezzlement induced love triangle and a robbery (which goes awry), the action picks up great pace and the ‘M’ word starts taking hold. The show is knowingly tongue-in-cheek and we all giggle at the OTT content, script and ‘All-American’ performances. We somehow even become almost attached to these pretty two-dimensional characters and the finale is gasp inducing with an unexpected outcome.

Written by Vertigo’s Craig Hepworth and leading lady Adele Stanhope, ‘M’ is an ultimate guilty pleasure. It works so well at this intimate, quirky theatre. What is better still, Gina the owner, heavily encourages drinking during the performance!

Jan 22nd-26th , 7pm doors, 7.30 performance

Published: 23-Jan-2013 (1719)