Nathaniel Queeley-Dennis makes his triumphant homecoming to the Royal Exchange in Manchester with his Bruntwood Prize-winning one man play, Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz, following his acclaimed win two years ago.
Nathaniel’s (the character) going on a date tonight but his barber’s on an extended holiday to Jamaica, and he can’t let his “Beyoncé” see him for the first time without a fresh trim. So obviously, he’s having a crisis about cheating on his old barber.
But Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz represents much more than a man’s relationship with his barber. Nathan (the writer) explores finding love in the modern age, self-perception, and that sense of nothingness that follows graduation when you’re unable to pursue your passions right away.
After winning the Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2022, Nathan embarked on a successful run at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe and was recently selected for adaptation into a TV series. This year, Nathan is touring Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz across the country, starting in Birmingham, where the play is set, and finishing in Oxford.
Nathan brings honesty and warmth to the stage, portraying the love within him with a rare tenderness and innocence. Through beautiful, heartfelt moments, we witness Nathan’s reflections on his journey to find a connection that always seems just out of reach, and his yearning to share the abundance of love he holds — once he finds the right person.
In a thought-provoking moment, he reflects on feeling out of place and unsafe in the modern techno rave scene as a Black man — he points out this striking irony, given that Black artists pioneered the genre in Detroit during the 1980s.
He then surprisingly pulls a microphone out of his pocket, embodying the character of an overeager MC ambushing him at a rave. This was a wild moment as Nathan freestyles and takes on the MC persona, briefly rapping about himself and the rave scene. He showcases some clear musical talent, and an amusing moment ensues as the audience claps for him, but he dismisses us and progresses with the story.
Throughout the show, Nathaniel repeatedly checks his group chat to communicate with his friends, illuminated by a green glow from above, like an alien tractor beam. Looking up at the light, he ‘responds’ to messages, evoking the familiar green of Apple’s messaging app.
While many plays fumble with social media portrayals, often feeling outdated or awkward, Nathan nails the essence of group chat culture. The beaming green light, as he gazes up to respond back to a message, adds an intriguing visual, almost as if he’s being pulled into an alien ship — an image amplified by the Royal Exchange’s modern architecture, which the theatre itself refers to as “spaceship-like”. This extraterrestrial element cleverly reflects the almost surreal nature of constant digital communication.
Nathan also excels in multi-rolling, clearly defining each character and response. This aspect, subtle yet impactful, deserves praise for capturing modernity without the cringe that often accompanies stage portrayals of new technology and social media.
Nathan is captivating; he strolls around the space, continually turning his head to sneak a remark to the seats behind him, frequently changing direction to ensure everyone in the surrounding audience feels included. He uses the space well, connecting with every corner and seat. It feels like one massive story-time with a close friend — showing his vulnerabilities and cracking expertly timed joke after joke, he puts us at ease.
Utterly sure of himself, Nathan commands the stage with a strong sense of confidence and charisma, blending his inner monologue and direct address seamlessly.
Nathan Queeley-Dennis is a natural storyteller, bringing his tales and misadventures vividly to life and guiding us through his comedic lens on life as a postgraduate, hopeless romantic. With a few tweaks and a little refinement, this show will be unstoppable.
Bullring Techno Makeout Jamz runs at the Royal Exchange Theatre until October 30.
JADAR 