Five one-act shows you simply must see!

Five one-act shows you simply must see!

Written by Bethany Hill.
Ah the interval! The perfect time to run to the lavatory and grab that ice-cream with a built in spoon; a necessary part of the theatre experience, no? But for those of us that can find an interval a busy, emotion-delaying experience filled with queues and chatter, to find a glorious show in a single act is one of life’s greatest surprises when purchasing a ticket. These five shows prove why a one-act show can be absolutely dreamy, and not only because of the early night!

A Chorus Line
Currently on a UK tour, A Chorus Line tells the story of seventeen performers put through a gruelling final audition in New York, 1975. Through the show, we learn about the hopes and dreams of our auditionees, the moving stories of how they became performers, and see what it really takes to make it big on Broadway. With gorgeous songs such as ‘One’ and ‘What I Did For Love’, A Chorus Line brings us 1 hour and 55 minutes in a singular act. By the end of the show, we feel the performer’s tiredness at their wait to see if they truly have made it!

A Chorus Line plays on a UK tour until Saturday 5th October 2024. Tickets are available from https://www.achoruslinetour.com/

The cast of A Chorus Line. Photo by Marc Brenner

Six
Another musical to reach dizzying heights of popularity in recent years, Six tells us the stories of Henry VIII’s six wives through a concert style feminist outpouring in 80 minutes. The single-act of this show gives it its pop star feel, with the music, glittering costumes and atmosphere leaving you feeling like Beyoncé herself as you leave. And with a combination of a wonderful message and a history lesson too, what could be better?

Six plays in London at the Vaudeville Theatre whilst the UK and Ireland tour continues to play to packed houses. The show also plays internationally. https://sixthemusical.com/

The West End cast of Six. Photo by Pamela Raith

My Son’s A Queer (but what can you do?)

I recently reviewed Rob Madge’s incredible one-person show that started life at Edinburgh Fringe, and it thoroughly deserves its place on this list! Through home movies and a fabulous, heart-warming score, Rob talks us through their journey to stardom and to self-acceptance. The single act in l this instance draws us in to the conversation and makes it feel like we as an audience are chatting in our friend’s sitting room as Rob brings total vulnerability and queer joy to the stage. If you haven’t seen this show yet, you simply must!

My Son’s A Queer continues at Manchester’s HOME until Sunday 25th August 2024. Tickets are available from https://homemcr.org/production/my-sons-a-queer-but-what-can-you-do/

Rob Madge in My Son’s A Queer. Photo by Mark Senior

Come From Away

Come From Away tells the story of Newfoundland, an island close to Canada and the amazing rescue efforts of their community when planes were forced to land there due to the abysmal events of 9/11. We see the incredibly moving true story of the community’s rallying spirit and kindness through touching music and talented actors playing multiple roles. Come From Away has a running time of 1 hour 40 minutes with no interval, but this time serves as a reminder of the discomfort of those trapped in the planes and on an island away from home as well as the desperation of those living there. And with action as gripping as this, cutting in the centre of the play would not have the same impact on the audience’s emotions.

Come From Away plays on tour until Sunday 5th January 2025. https://comefromawaylondon.co.uk/

The UK and Ireland tour cast of Come From Away. Photo by Craig Sudgen

The Choir Of Man

Currently playing at London’s Arts Theatre, The Choir of Man presents the lives of several men coming together in the pub The Jungle one evening. Rather than telling a story, this show recounts aspects of life and focuses instead on the feelings of the characters through pop music including Guns N’ Roses, Adele, Avicci, Sia and even The Pina Colada Song! The show is an amazing advocate for men’s mental health  and does work nightly to support the charity CALM and to remind us all to speak to our loved ones about how we are feeling. The show also has a total party atmosphere with audience participation, free drinks and opportunities to join in! You can even purchase a beer on stage and talk with the guys before the show begins. I have returned more than once to The Jungle now and honestly think it is one of the happiest shows on the West End currently; I’m already planning my next visit! With the warm, happy atmosphere and working bar, having this show in a single act makes you feel like you’re simply at a night out in a bar with friends in the best company. So next time you sigh at the thought of the incredibly long bathroom queue at the theatre, consider a ticket to a one-act show; I can guarantee you’ll have an amazing experience! 

Choir of Man continues at London’s Arts Theatre. https://www.choirofmanwestend.com/

The Choir of Man. Photo by The Other Richard.