Following its sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe and VAULT Festival, Nick Dawkins’ hit one-man show A Manchester Anthem arrives at Riverside Studios this August. We caught up with Tom Claxton, who returns to the role of Tommy – and 12 other characters – in this funny, moving, and rave-fuelled coming-of-age story.
What drew you to A Manchester Anthem and the character of Tommy?
It was an immediate “yes” for me. The writing is electric – raw, poetic, and full of heart. Tommy is a character who lives and breathes his hometown, and you feel that pulse in every beat of the play. There’s something incredibly powerful about being the bridge between a story and the audience, especially when it’s a story this personal and vibrant.
You play not just Tommy, but over a dozen characters. What’s that like as a performer?
It’s a workout – physically and emotionally – but it’s exhilarating. You’re constantly switching gears, embodying different voices, ages, energies. One minute you’re Tommy’s mum, the next his best mate mid-rave, then a bouncer outside the club. It’s a rollercoaster, but one I absolutely love riding.
How would you describe Tommy’s journey in the play?
Tommy’s at a huge crossroads. It’s his last night out in Manchester before heading off to Oxford – the first in his family to go to uni. It’s a night filled with nostalgia, doubts, pride, and euphoria. He’s trying to hold on to the world he knows while stepping into a new one. It’s funny, messy, emotional – just like life at that age.
What’s the atmosphere like during performances of this show?
Incredible. It’s like inviting the audience into the middle of a house party – but one where someone suddenly grabs the mic and tells you something honest and beautiful. People laugh, they cry, they rave in their seats. There’s a lot of love in the room.
How has your background in theatre helped shape this performance?
I’ve been lucky to work across a range of styles – from Romeo & Juliet at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre to new writing like Heart of Hammersmith and Kick. This show pulls on everything I’ve learned. There’s rhythm and lyricism like Shakespeare, but also the emotional grit of contemporary theatre. It’s a full-body experience.
Why should people come and see A Manchester Anthem?
Because it’s real. Whether you’re from Manchester or not, we’ve all had a “last night” moment – that feeling of leaving something behind while holding it close. It’s about home, music, and moving forward without forgetting where you came from. It’ll make you laugh, cry, and maybe even dance. What more do you want?
