Friedrich Engels, social history’s great bridesmaid, has it tough in this not-entirely-accurate (nor meant to be) interpretation of Karl Marx and Engel’s rise from bourgeois fire-brands in Manchester to the Eric and Ernie of revolutionary Europe. Ben Blow as Marx is admirably mad, a cross between Russell Crowe and Theodore Roosevelt, drinking, whoring and fighting his way across Europe. He is nobly supported by Matthew Jebb as Engels and Rowan Winter as Molly, the prostitute whose idea the Communist Manifesto was in the first place. A riotously funny show, ‘Engels!’ is lighter and more accessible than its source material. Definitely worth a look for anyone who enjoys sly socialist jokes.

theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall, 17 Aug, 10.40pm.
tw rating 3/5 | [Joseph Trotter]