If you fancy a good laugh, then head down to Witney’s Corn Exchange on Thursday night, where local playwright Joe Graham is reviving his outrageously funny relationship comedy Spare Prick. (May 12-16).
It’s all about relationships and finding new love: the reality of trying to meet new people, the awkwardness, the pain, the joy, and what stops us really finding ‘the one’. “It is as bitter-sweet as it is funny,” Joe adds.
‘It is as bitter-sweet as it is funny’
Spare Prick introduces the well-meaning sci-fi Geek Frank trying to help his best friend Russ find love, triggering a chain of events that changes their relationship forever.
Because Frank has his own plans going on – it’s time to settle down and start a family, just maybe not with his wife Jo. For her it’s not the right time with her job going so well, so perhaps he’s not the best man for the job in terms of coaching Russ in the ways of dating and moving on, resulting in some hilarious and poignant consequences.
“Spare Prick delivers some hilarious scenes, but it is also surprisingly bitter-sweet as it examines the close relationships of all three characters,” Joe explains.
‘I wanted SPARE PRICK to reflect the new world of dating and meeting new people, to be relevant’
Spare Prick first premièred at and sold out the Everyman Theatre in Cheltenham in 2004 and then had a short run at OFS in 2013 with the same sparkling cast. Given a fresh lick of paint to mirror the trials and tribulations of modern dating, it’s now ready for a whole new audience.
So why has Joe and his theatre company Balancing Act adapted and revived Spare Prick? “Well we all need a good laugh, but also I wanted Spare Prick to reflect the new world of dating and meeting new people, to be relevant,” he says.
“And while it’s not really one for the kids because of its comedic, adult relationship themes, there is no offensive language in it and no one is getting their bits out. So audiences can relax! Grown-ups will not be offended but they will be highly amused!”
Having achieved acclaimed success with the likes of The Murmuration of Starlings, A Fistful of Mondays,Dancing to the Sound of Crunching Snails and Fun Run, Joe is happy to be bringing his work home to Witney.
‘The Corn Exchange in witney is a great but underused theatre and we are delighted to be back’
“The Corn Exchange is a great but underused theatre and we are delighted to be back,” he says
Having staged three previous productions there, Joe who lives nearby in Worsham wants to build local audiences and develop a reputation for producing quality local theatre.
“Our audiences are always surprised at the quality of our productions because Balancing Act have such a great troupe of amazing local actors and production people, without whom we could not create such amazing plays. So come! you’ll love Spare Prick!
SPARE PRICK runs at The Corn Exchange, Witney, from May 12-16. Book at https://www.balancingact.org.uk
