Review: A Manchester Anthem at Riverside Studios

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Four Stars)

A Manchester Anthem is a heartfelt, high-energy one-person play that captures both the soul of a city and the bittersweet tug of leaving it behind. Written by Nick Dawkins, directed by Izzy Edwards, and performed with remarkable range by Tom Claxton, the piece introduces us to Tommy, a working-class teenager from Manchester on the cusp of a life-changing move to Oxford University, where he will become the first in his family to pursue a degree.

Over the course of the 60 minute performance, we follow Tommy on one last chaotic, funny, and emotional night out in Manchester with the private school kids who will soon be his peers at Oxford. Claxton shines in the role, effortlessly shifting between portraying Tommy and his posher companions, creating sharp (and often hilarious) contrasts that underscore the differences between them. 

The play succeeds as both an intimate coming-of-age story and a vivid love letter to Manchester. Dawkins’ writing balances humour and heart with skill, while Edwards’ dynamic direction keeps the energy high and compelling. For me personally, having studied and spent many of my formative years in Manchester, the piece was steeped in nostalgia. It perfectly captures the atmosphere of a night out in the city: the clubs, the music, and the familiar characters you inevitably encounter.

Initially, the stage is bare save for stacks of cardboard boxes, a nod to Tommy’s imminent move. But midway through, they are turned to reveal Mancunian landmarks and symbols such as Afflecks, the worker bee, and the metro, while colourful lighting transforms the set into the pulsing heart of a nightclub. The atmosphere is further enriched by house music, which recurs throughout the play as both a soundtrack to Tommy’s youth and an emblem of his enduring ties to his home city.

Ultimately, A Manchester Anthem is not only a portrait of a young man standing at the threshold of enormous change, but also a touching reminder that you can move forward without losing sight of where you come from.

A Manchester Anthem runs at Riverside Studios until 13th September 2025.

Photos by Flood Ltd