Blackpool, What a Shit Place to Die Review

3 Minute Theatre, Manchester – until 20 July
Reviewed by Angela Hazeldine
4****
Last night I went to see Blackpool, What a Shit Place to Die at 3MT. First of all, I’m ashamed to say this was my first trip to 3MT. What a great little theatre it is and the perfect setting for this one-man show starring the very engaging Mark Newsome.
I find it difficult to review shows like this because I don’t want to give anything away, I want you to go and see for yourself.. It’s a real shame it’s only on for two nights but I can imagine it will be coming back at some point because it is very good.
Mark plays Billy Costello, a … ’young, gay, depressed, autistic actor with a drug problem’ and as the title of the show also suggests, this may be heavy. And it is  … but with a lot of laughs, the epitome of a dark comedy.
Mark holds your attention from the moment he walks on stage and under the excellent direction of Grace Cordell tells us a story of how he has got to this erratic, drug fuelled, possibly final trip to sunny Blackpool. It’s a story of family, prejudice, bullying, talent shows, tans, death and loneliness.
I always have a huge admiration for an actor that can deliver lines for an hour on their own on stage and not falter but when they do it in such an engaging, humorous, heart breaking way I feel very lucky that I’ve been able to see it.
Phil Pearson’s writing is spot on, him and Mark clearly make a good team. I recommend you go see this show tonight, book your ticket now, you might even get a stick of Blackpool rock!