At the Theatre Royal, Ramsbottom, The Summerseat Players take on Willy Russell’s Stags & Hens this week- but remixed. The play follows two groups of friends on a big night out- the stags in the gents and the hens in the ladies. Here, though, the action is moved from its original Liverpudlian roots in the 1970s, into the heart of the 1990s. The Players have additionally relocated the play to Manchester, which feels completely natural: the city’s nightlife, music, and culture are woven into the production, grounding it firmly in its new home while keeping the spirit of Russell’s often funny (if sometimes flawed) and painfully recognisable writing. 

Directed by Pippa Knightley, with Artistic Direction from Stephen Davies, the entire story plays out in the nightclub loos- the true “holy grail” of a night out, where friendships are tested, secrets spill, and loyalties are pushed to the limit. The set is exceptional, every detail carefully crafted: cubicles that have clearly seen better days, sinks that actually work, and a window that proves far more useful than you might expect. We never see the bar itself, but we don’t need to. The disco ball hanging above the door and the throb of 90s anthems give us the atmosphere, with sound design by Taylor Horrocks and Ben Talbot at its best with the subtle echoes from the club upstairs. 

What really makes the night, though, is the acting talent on display. Connor James-Ryan’s Eddy bursts into the space with alpha-energy, the archetypal stag-do spearhead whose intensity is never questionable- a performance that keeps the audience as hooked as they are uncomfortable- even through moments of well-crafted hilarity. Gabrielle Eden’s Frances is sublime: the mother hen; the glue in her group, picking up the pieces. We all know this person and Eden plays each and every layer with confidence. Stephen Davies as Kav grounds the piece with an earthy presence, the mate who is relatable, reliably funny but grounded. Daisy Leather’s Maureen is pure comedic energy- her impeccable comic timing and expressive delivery light up the stage, ensuring that the audience is, in fact, having a great, great time.  

The ensemble as a whole is equally strong, making it easy to forget that this is an amateur production and, for some, a first time on stage at this level. Each character feels lived in and recognisable- the kind of people you could easily bump into (and probably avoid) on a Friday night out in Manchester. 

The Players’ take on Stags & Hens -The Remix is raw, funny, and instantly engaging, with a polish that makes it feel far more than amateur dramatics. The Summerseat Players deliver a production that honours Willy Russell’s roots while confidently making it their own- a night at the theatre that feels as real, chaotic and vodka-tinged as the night out it recreates. 

Stags & Hens – The Remix plays at Ramsbottom’s Theatre Royal until Saturday 27th September. Further information and booking details can be found here.

Ticket received in exchange for an honest review. #AD