Manchester city centre's under-the-arches venue 53two is carving out a reputation for Christmas shows with a difference.
Following last year's epic – set in a motorway service station – this year's oddly-titled Bump(s) - from December 11-23 - features a different idea: even though it's set at Christmas it could happen at any time of year, as composer Ollie Mills has leavened the story with a score of original songs about life and growing up.
Jessie is struggling with losing her mum, growing up and dealing with things that only adults should be dealing with. But when do we grow up? Jessie's step-mother, Janine, has been asking herself this for years, and the resulting show is a tale of life from birth to adulthood, its ups and the downs, our friends and enemies, love and loss, and all the bumps along the way...
This is the third time Ollie – creative director at Imaginality Productions – has written music for Christmas-themed plays at 53two. He explained: "The thing about Bump(s) is that, though it’s set at Christmas, it’s just a really great story with lots of heart so, even though we have the same festive feeling, the songs are about life, growing up and relationships.
"It’s actually very easily transferred to any other time of the year – so it might mean Bump(s) isn't just for Christmas."
Local writer Megan Hickie's script was first seen and heard at a 53two Scratch Night back in May 2023, when it was only 15 minutes long.
Meg said: "It’s been a long journey, but one we’re all very excited to bring to a head in the best way possible. The extended play didn’t start out as a musical, but the decision was made to add some festive cheer and with the help of Ollie revisit our fictional town of Pinkerford for another Christmas show beneath the arches."