It takes star quality to get adopted…and Jonathan Mayor has it!

Ropetackle is delighted to stage this new play on Wednesday 20th November at 8pm. Varnish is a brave and bold exploration of trans-racial identity, told by someone who has been adopted, and who also happens to be gay.

Johnathan Mayor – one of the UK’s most in-demand headline acts and comperes – stars in this outrageously funny one-man show based on his real life experience.

In an explosion of sequins and songs, our prince of stage and screen is every inch the superstar.

It’s been a tough journey from the cobbled streets of Oldham to the glamour of Hollywood. Tougher still for a Scottish Mauritian adopted son of white parents. But let’s not dwell on that… your fabulous host will be here to entertain you!

Exploring trans-racial identity using theatre, music and song in a cabaret audience-style show, we invite you to become part of Jonathan’s star-studded fictitious audience and brush shoulders with the likes of Oprah, Dame Judi Dench and Angelina Jolie.

Varnish is Jonathan’s first theatre show and has been written by new playwright Janet Taylor. Featuring original music by Steve Pycroft, the play dramatises the tension between Jonathan’s attempts to maintain a fantasy version of his own life, in which he shares National Treasure status with Judi Dench, and the gloomier reality of his existence.

Jonathan Mayor has been working across the UK as a stand-up comedian since 2002, and draws heavily on his life experiences, especially his personal history as a transracial adoptee. He was the warm-up for Sarah Millican, on stage and television, and for Countdown (Channel 4) and is currently the studio warm up for Joe Lycett’s Late Night Lycett (Channel 4). He appears in/hosts comedy, cabaret, burlesque and Pride events, including Europride, Glasgay Arts Festival, Homotopia, Queer Up North and Manchester/Leicester Comedy Festivals. He has hosted sporting events at Manchester Pride Games and the Gay Rugby World Cup. Jonathan hosted the Manchester Pride Candlelight AIDS Vigil for many years.

Produced by Doubletake Theatre, a new collaborative theatre company which relishes in work which is curious, witty, queer, and genre-bending, this quirky and emotional yet hugely entertaining show previously had a successful run at VAULT, London’s home for immersive theatre and alternative arts.

Nicky Thornton, Ropetackle’s marketing manager says: “We are so looking forward to bringing this brilliant new drama to our stage. Janet Taylor’s acerbic and hilarious script sees Jonathan Mayor move from stand-up into a solo performance that is an absolute riot but will leave you with a deep provocation about how much more challenging it is for some to find their identity than others.” 

So, snap up your hot ticket to join Jonathan’s live, star-studded audience and buckle-up for belly laughs in this darkly flamboyant, varnished version of the truth.

Age Suitability: 14+

Running time: 60mins (no interval)

Price: £13