Close encounter in 35-seat theatre

I LOVE OLDHAM, Albion Street, Oldham, to June 9

THERE can’t be many productions where you are greeted at the door by the leading lady and the actors are closer to you than your sitting room TV, but I now add one to my long list of theatre experiences.

Mark Whiteley’s Oldham-based Hard Graft company is perhaps best known for its Christmas children’s shows, but since 2000 the group has specialised in more unusual theatre forms.

There was one show about Mark and his friend going to Poland to get jobs vacated by the tradesmen who had all moved here; and there have been shows in people’s sitting rooms, on narrowboats and more.

Here he returns to a tested format — a 35-seater theatre in a retail unit, beautifully kitted out as a charity shop by designer Celia Perkins with stock from Dr Kershaw’s Hospice shops (“Outfit of the Week — it’s Marks’” reads one poster). The production is helping to raise money for the hospice.

The play started life some years ago and has toured the country widely, changing its title and local references each time.

For Oldham the show has been extended — you are still out of the doors by 9.15pm — and it’s a bit disconcerting at first, sitting there with a couple of dozen other people (of whom last night comedian Jimmy Cricket was one, laughing heartily) as people pass by outside.

Burt (Whiteley) and Joyce (Rayyah McCaul) run a charity shop and are preparing for a celebrity opening the following day by a pop star who worked there briefly, years before.

They bicker, they joke, Joyce revisits her driving skills with a nice bit of mimed business and the whole thing is neatly observed and rich in detail and humour.

The first hour has great, very natural husband and wife conversation — the temptation to play up for the audience is avoided, despite being able to see every reaction.

The double act is occasionally broken by the postman (“I’m not a morning person”), played, as are a couple of other characters, by David Crowley.

The first act ends with an unexpected bang and sadly it’s a bit downhill from there. The second half is shorter and more sentimental, with fewer ideas and jokes. Even so, it’s an experience worth enjoying, with strong performances and a great time had by all.