After What Comes Before: Manic Chord Theatre at Stage@Leeds

They call it “Testeronomic Theatre”; Anna Gutridge (@Gatsbyspants) wasn’t sure what she was letting herself in for when she was persuaded to review the Manic Chord lads at Stage@Leeds …

As I took to my seat in a full house at the Stage@Leeds – a very nice theatre hiding behind Leeds university’s student union – my first thought was, Yikes, what have I let myself in for, this is a Friday night that I will never be getting back.

In front of me sat a large black box. Atop the box sat a young man, glaring at the audience and reserving an extra shot of eye-venom for me as I scurried in late having been unable to find the venue initially. (My bad, I know)

Then it began, and oh how it began! After the first few minutes of chewy dialogue to set the scene and open the production the thing burst into life.

The shocks and giggles and pure honest belly laughs came thick and fast as the three dizzyingly confident young men took us on a tale of mad twisted scientists, which explains the earlier attitude from box-boy.

Completely fearless and with genuine heart, the story was crazy and although the narrative was not the most polished aspect, the talent and stagecraft of the Manic Chord boys more than made up for any small criticism of the actual script. The run has now finished but I’m sure something else is in the pipeline, the group don’t strike me as people who will be ‘resting’ for very long

The three graduated in Theatre and Performance at Leeds University in 2012, aged 21-23, they already have an impressive series of performances and workshops under their belts and are now in residence at Temple Works Leeds.

The company is made up of fellow Northeasterner Dave Cartwright, Sam Berrill, and Alex Monk. All adorable, charming and handsome – and there is a definite sense of mischief sensed in the trio.

These boys have a bright future ahead, and in future I will gleefully give up a weekend or indeed any evening without quibble to be entertained by these hardworking and dedicated lads.

The geek chick in me can’t help but see a future Doctor Who in the ranks too – go see them and see if you can work out which one I mean