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James Varney


James Varney

James is a writer and theatre maker, based in the middle parts of England. He has created work with Daniel Bye, Josh Coates and Lenni Sanders and had work presented at Derby Theatre, The Royal Exchange, Manchester Literature Festival, Live at LICA and Camden People’s Theatre. James enjoys Peanut Butter, DIY Punk and Long Walks On The Beach.


Articles by James Varney


Review: The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
13 December 2021
Reviews • Manchester • National

Review: The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

4 December - 15 January
By James Varney

Devoted to the devil: James Varney invokes David Greig’s midwinter folk story with a crown of sonnets.


Review: The Mountaintop at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
16 October 2021
Reviews

Review: The Mountaintop at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

25 September - 27 October
By James Varney

Echoes in history: James Varney writes on hauntings in this revival of Katori Hall’s play set on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr.’s death.


Review: Peaceophobia at Q-Park First Street Car Park, Manchester
8 October 2021
Reviews • Manchester • National

Review: Peaceophobia at Q-Park First Street Car Park, Manchester

29 September - 2 October
By James Varney

Details and background: James Varney writes on Common Wealth’s portrait of three Bradford men, taking in the city, Islamophobia and modified car culture.


Review: Glee & Me at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
23 September 2021
Reviews • Manchester • National

Review: Glee & Me at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

11 September - 30 October
By James Varney

Not falling down: James Varney reviews Stuart Slade’s Bruntwood Judges’ Prize-winning play about a sixteen year-old girl diagnosed with a terminal illness.


Review: Look at Me Don’t Look at Me at HOME, Manchester
21 August 2021
Reviews • Manchester • National

Review: Look at Me Don’t Look at Me at HOME, Manchester

13 Aug, then touring
By James Varney

Interrupted history: James Varney writes on RashDash’s approach to biography and storytelling in their cabaret portrait of Lizzie Siddal and Dante Gabriel Rosetti.


Review: The Global Playground at Manchester International Festival
15 July 2021
Reviews • Manchester • National

Review: The Global Playground at Manchester International Festival

2-18 July
By James Varney

The revolution will not be made into a dance film: James Varney writes on Theatre Rites’ dance show for young audiences in which the camera takes centre stage.


Review: Bloody Elle at Royal Exchange Manchester
3 July 2021
Reviews

Review: Bloody Elle at Royal Exchange Manchester

By James Varney

A gig economy: James Varney writes about Lauryn Redding’s queer love story, and the fragile structures it explores.


Review: Future Cargo at The Lowry, Salford
23 June 2021
Reviews • National • Salford

Review: Future Cargo at The Lowry, Salford

19-20 June, then touring
By James Varney

What’s in the box?: James Varney reviews Requardt and Rosenberg’s sci-fi dance piece performed from inside a haulage truck.


Review: Open Mic at HOME/Soho Theatre (online)
6 April 2021
Reviews • National • OWE & Fringe

Review: Open Mic at HOME/Soho Theatre (online)

1-3 April
By James Varney

Eye contact: James Varney writes on liveness in Rob Drummond’s unsettling, loss-tinged open mic night.


Review: Swimming Home at The Lowry, Salford (online)
11 February 2021
Reviews • National • Salford

Review: Swimming Home at The Lowry, Salford (online)

5-20 February, then touring
By James Varney

Diluted content: James Varney reviews an audio piece to be experienced in the bathroom that slips through the fingers.


Review: Double, Visitors and Eternal by Darkfield Radio (online)
4 December 2020
Reviews

Review: Double, Visitors and Eternal by Darkfield Radio (online)

By James Varney

Internal logic: James Varney writes on Darkfield’s trilogy audio works, which deliver chills with mixed success.


Review: Don’t Go Back to Sleep: The Lockdown Album at HOME, Manchester
22 October 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National

Review: Don’t Go Back to Sleep: The Lockdown Album at HOME, Manchester

21-24 October
By James Varney

Covid culture: James Varney explores the new ways we engage with performance via RashDash’s documentary album, listened to from home.


Imaginary Review: A Building Dreams
17 April 2020
Reviews • Imaginary Reviews

Imaginary Review: A Building Dreams

By James Varney

“A dream can have a physical impact on you”: The Imaginary Reviews series continues with James Varney’s architectural intervention.


Review: Augmented at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
11 March 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National

Review: Augmented at Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester

5-7 March, then touring
By James Varney

Sudden cyborg: James Varney writes on Sophie Woolley’s first-person account of losing, and then regaining, her hearing.


Review: Insane Animals at HOME Manchester
8 March 2020
Reviews • Manchester • National

Review: Insane Animals at HOME Manchester

28 February - 14 March
By James Varney

No spoilers: James Varney writes an email to HOME and explores the ways in which work is contextualised for audiences.


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