Erin Harrington reviews Coro, presented by Mon Platon Productions at Little Andromeda, Friday 13 June, 2025.
Coming into the comedy show Coro I’m clearly one of a handful of audience members who’ve never seen a full episode of Coronation Street. Growing up, the woeful wail of the cornet in the show’s opening theme would trigger a swift channel change. No matter. Nina Hogg and Austin Harrison, both warm and exceptional hosts, welcome us to the space, and we’re given a quick explainer. The setting is bleak, the vibes are depressing, the accents are challenging. The pair establish a great rapport with the audience, and I’m also surrounded by slightly tipsy superfans (including one guy in a branded Coronation Street cap), so everything’s dead good, petal.
The fast-paced 50-minute show is made up of five episodes, full of suitably soapy twists and turns that take us from an opening tragedy through to a hopeful(?) look to the future. The pair play multiple characters, each distinguished by costume pieces and wigs, the occasional cheap and cheerful prop, and clear shifts in close-enough Mancunian accents. We focus on a mechanic, a publican, a shopkeeper, a bitter housewife, a couple of lovestruck teens, and various offsiders, all riffing beautifully (I am told later) on well-loved characters. There’s arguments, misunderstandings, secrets, gossip, thefts, double entendres and an embarrassing medication mishap. The pub’s in danger! Flo’s dropped out of school! Ken’s having an affair (or not?)! The boomers are on the apps! Throughout, there’s a satisfying balance between some very good scripting and clear direction, and very loose in-the-moment muck ups and meta commentary that make great use of the pair’s expertise in improv.
This is the show’s second outing, as Harrison and Hogg prepare to take it to the Edinburgh Fringe later in the year. It’s definitely still finding it’s rhythm – walking the line between tightly managed chaos and actual chaos with the many rapid, audience-assisted costume changes, then negotiating the build of the mini episode arcs within the overall shape of the show. There’s scope to more carefully ramp up the absurdity curve, and to make more of the tragic accident that opens the show – and even to really slam the last few lines. It’s a matter of control, but that’s all just work in development. The show is extremely funny, packed with excellent characterisations, skilful physical comedy, ridiculous twists and turns, and a clear love for the source material. The performers crack each other up, and the audience are all in, roaring with laughter and bwah-bwah-ing along with the theme music at each cliffhanger. Highly recommended, whether you’re a Rover’s fresher or a Coro diehard.
Coro plays once more at Little Andromeda on Saturday 14 June, 2025.
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