Jock, the hottest club night in town - A new play

20 years after being part of the original cast of Queer as Folk, Hope Theatre Company’s Artistic Director, Adam Zane returns to Manchester’s Gay Village to explore how the gay scene has changed.

After two years of research - including discussions with the LGBT Foundation, George House Trust, PrEPster and Porn4Prep - Adam has written new play, Jock Night, which aims to highlight urgent, relevant themes within the LGBT+ community. These include chemsex, access to PrEP and the lack of sexual health education.

Set on the night of Jock, the hottest club night in town, this entertaining, surprising, character-driven comedy drama, invites you to the ultimate after-party.

This exciting and original one act play follows forty-something Ben who’s desire to curl up watching Victoria Wood is eclipsed by his party lifestyle. Coronation Street obsessed Kam is, in his own words, fabulous and undetectable, whilst gym bunny Russell is all about the Instagram likes.

This is the story of friends searching for love in a world of chemsex and jockstraps. When a gay porn star arrives, Ben must decide whether he can give up his life of hook ups and chill-outs, swapping a come down for settling down.

The play was inspired by writer and director Adam Zane’s own experiences of the club night Jock Party. Talking about the play he says: “I wanted to write a comedy about all the stories you hear when you are stood in a bar on Canal Street – like bad Grindr hook-ups and the threesomes that go horribly wrong. The more stories I heard, the more I heard about drugs and chemsex; it became something I felt I had to explore.

“The play follows Ben, in his forties as he relives his lost youth by partying every weekend in his city centre flat. He’s doing everything he wanted to do when he was young – but now he’s got the money, the confidence and the muscles to do it. What really makes this play unique is the humour and lack of judgement. The play does not preach to or demonise aspects of the gay community.” Adam added.

During his two years of research Adam interviewed service-users, health professionals and people who work and play in Manchester’s gay village to get a true snapshot of the chill outs and after parties happening every weekend across the city.

Written and directed by Artistic Director, Adam is centred around a group of five friends and set over four of Manchester's infamous JOCK nights. The action takes place in forty-something Ben's bedroom before and after each club night; take a glimpse at pre-drinks and after-parties as the boys navigate their way through life, loves and Coronation Street. 

Jock Night also tackles difficult subjects including addiction, chemsex and HIV stigma. The play's writer and director, Adam Zane wanted to ensure the production wasn't disapproving and says "I wanted the play Jock Night to highlight some of the issues our community faces in a fun, non-judgemental way."

Talking about the production, Stephanie Mallas, CEO of George House Trust commented:

“George House Trust, the leading provider of support to people living with HIV in the North West, is pleased to support “Jock Night”.  The messages in the production about HIV are pertinent, relevant and timely and we welcome any opportunity which provides a space for open and honest discussion about what are sometimes difficult and sensitive issues. We wish the play every success"

The production stars Adam Waddington as Ben, Sam Goodchild as Kam, Sam Blackhurst as Russell, Daniel Waterhouse as Simon and Levi Payne as AJ. It runs at Hope Mill Theatre from Monday 8th April - Saturday 13th April at 8pm (5pm matinee on Saturday) before runs at Birmingham's Old Joint Stock and the King's Head Theatre, London. 

Published: 4-Apr-2019: (5332)