Man Hours

Synopsis

Davey’s house in Burnley

In the faded wallpaper and nicotine-stained corners of a Burnley terrace, Davey Stanhope irons shirts with meticulous care, his movements a choreography of longing and regret. The air crackles with unspoken truths as he prepares for yet another wedding he won’t attend. Through the haze of memory and gin fumes, we tumble backwards and forwards in time, witnessing the intricate dance of four working-class lads – Davey, Robert, Stuart, and Ash – as they navigate the choppy waters of friendship, desire, and identity across five decades. At the heart of this bittersweet waltz lies Davey’s unrequited love for the golden boy Robert, a torch that burns steady even as marriages crumble, fortunes shift, and secrets fester beneath the surface of their northern banter.

The play pulses with the raw energy of nostalgia colliding headlong with harsh reality. Salt’s dialogue crackles with wit and warmth, punctuated by moments of searing honesty that cut to the bone. The non-linear structure mirrors the characters’ journey through time, each scene a snapshot crystallizing the evolving dynamics of friendship, class, and sexuality. Music weaves through the narrative like a fifth character, from the tinny strains of Gilbert O’Sullivan to the bold defiance of Cher’s “Believe,” anchoring us in each era while underscoring the emotional beats. As truths long buried come to light in a rain-soaked final confrontation, we’re left to ponder the cost of silence, the power of acceptance, and the enduring bonds that tether us to our past selves, forever young and full of promise on Grafton Terrace.