Don't Cha Wish Your Scouser Was Boss Like Me - 53Two, Manchester

Back at 53Two for its third run, Don’t Cha Wish Your Scouser Was Boss Like Me is a short but enlightening look into the life of schoolgirl Kate (Gemma Brodwick-Bower), who as you would imagine is from Liverpool. She is desperately trying to get her crush Jay to like her, and will do anything - I mean anything - to make it happen. Produced by the Manchester Actors' Platform this is a laugh-out-loud musical comedy.

Kate takes on some the classic songs from musicals such as ‘Good Morning Baltimore’, ‘I Know Him So Well’ and ‘On My Own’ amongst many, many others and puts her own spin on them, by changing the lyrics to fit in with her own life. It’s such a clever technique as these songs are instantly recognisable. Her take on the Phantom of the Opera, accompanied by the iconic half-face, had the audience in stitches!

Brodwick-Bower is exceptional in the lead role as Kate, not only does she have a singing voice most West End stars would kill to have, but has great comic timing and is instantly likable, which is something very rare in an actor. Accompanying Kate during this show is her imaginary friend; Mabel (Francesca Fenech) who also plays the keyboard throughout. The two have a great partnership in that Kate is so graphic it verges on grotesque, whereas Mabel is more modest. Fenech really encompasses that annoying friend that everyone has that tries to bring you back to earth. Clocking in at one hour the show is absolutely bang on the money in terms of length, I think if it was any longer the jokes wouldn’t be funny anymore and there probably aren’t more many well-known musical songs.

The entire production is set in Kate’s bedroom and she interacts with the audience as if they were her guests, even encouraging them to take selfies. The stage is littered with condoms, sick bucket and an Ariana Grande poster. A projector screen is used regularly during the performance to show Kate’s messages, tinder matches and what happens when she’s not on stage. I would recommend anyone to come see Don’t Cha Wish Your Scouser Was Boss Like Me. There is literally nothing negative to say about this production. If you have an open mind and are up for a laugh you definitely won’t leave disappointed.

Reviewer - Eddie Walsh
on -  3/7/18