REVIEW: NUL POINTS! by Martin Blackburn at The Union Theatre 26 April - 20 May 2023

‘Genuinely moving and really nicely acted’ ★★★

Ah, Eurovision. Bobbysocks. The Hump. Scooch. Katrina. And some Swedish band. Quite a legacy of dodgy scoring, dodgier outfits and the dodgiest songs - albeit with the odd banger thrown in (yes, I’m looking at you Johnny Logan & Scott Fitzgerald).

Full disclosure - I love Eurovision and it’s pretty exciting that the UK is hosting this year in the Lord’s city, Liverpool. And, at Sasha Regan’s wondrous Union Theatre, comes a timely and (mostly) fun show, Nul Points, which whilst about as subtle as Greece’s Eurovision voting pattern, is a hoot.

Josh - a likeable Kane Verrall - is an aspiring actor and a Eurovision nut. In a raucous first half we see him host no less than 4 Eurovision ‘watch parties’ where he is indulged by best mate Kat (Charlotte East), possible love interest Daz (Marcus J Foreman) and, down the line, stripagram Ryder (Sean Huddlestan - nicely played). Into the mix as Josh’s mum Gina comes cabaret royalty in the form of Adèle Anderson from the marvellous Fascinating Aida (pleasingly noted by a framed poster in Josh’s lounge set).

There is much drinking, much bickering and jokes both verbal and visual which come rattling along. Much of the dialogue hits the mark and there are some fabulous Eurovision and theatre ‘in jokes’ - I particularly appreciated references to Wicked and the Strallen’s - but I was less enamoured by recurring notes on Princess Diana and a running joke about Gina’s cooking which never really flies.

The plot is seemingly incidental to the somewhat self-congratulatory tone of the writing and the cast take a while to settle. Indeed, the first half or so is well OTT as the cast sought big early laughs, whilst Anderson seemed initially nervous but grew into the role to pretty much own the stage by the end.

Without wishing to give too much away the second half, whilst about 15 minutes too long and with multiple Return of The King style ‘end it now’ moments, takes a distinct gear change. Kat has had some acting success but has seen it come crashing down, whilst Daz and Ryder are together and happy-ish. Gina has been dumped by her husband and is seeking something new and different - indeed, everyone is looking for their ‘happy place’ which, for Josh, is once a year, watching Eurovision with friends. And therein will lie tragedy.

Yes, the change of tone and pace is rather jolting and overplayed, and Martin Blackburn’s script sometimes feels like a tickbox of ‘issues and modern things we must cover’. But, love always wins, and the final scenes are genuinely moving, really nicely acted and offer hope and a kind of solidarity.

That a show so completely camp and frantic could ultimately reduce me to a tear or two is to the credit of all. Go and see.

Image: East Photography

Peter Bull presents

NUL POINTS! by Martin Blackburn

Director William Spencer

UNION THEATRE, Arch 22 & 23 Old Union Yard Arches, 229 Union Street

26 April - 20 May 2023

Bookings: http://uniontheatre.biz/

Reviewed by Paul Maidment