Manchester Theatre News & Reviews
REVIEW - Grab your vampire slaying friends and see Buffy Revamped - it's such a fun night out!
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On Wednesday, we were invited to Lowry in Salford to see Buffy Revamped. Read what our reviewer, Lizzie Johnston thought about the smash-hit one man show...
Calling all Buffy fans! There’s a show made just for you, and it’s just landed at Lowry. Buffy Revamped revisited the entire 144 episodes and seven seasons of the hit 90s TV show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, through the eyes of Spike – the one person who knows it inside out.
The TV show follows Buffy Summers, a high school student who is also a vampire slayer, destined to fight supernatural threats. Disclaimer: I’ve not really watched much of Buffy but am aware of the show and the concept. Though I love to see a show I know hardly anything about, so I went to join an audience full of Buffy fans for a one-act thrill of a show.
Created by comedian, Brendan Murphy (FRIEND (The One with Gunther)), Buffy Revamped is seventy minutes of action-packed Buffy throwbacks, with Murphy taking to the stage as a one-man act. Originally premiering at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2022, the award-winning show has even crossed the pond with a Christmas season in Toronto – so it’s reaching Buffy fans all over and now it’s here for the Salford stans. The show itself brings a fresh and fun approach to the beloved Buffy universe, giving a deep dive (and some opinions) on the characters that made the show such a cultural phenomenon.
Murphy is an excellent at keep the audience engaged throughout the entire act, switching between characters and storylines with incredible energy – I was tired just watching him! With key costume elements and wigs, Murphy transforms his entire persona to fit each character with pure enthusiasm and wit. His comedic timing and slapstick comedy skills really made this show, giving the audience a great laugh.
The writing is fantastic, with all seven seasons in the one-act performance and none of it feeling forced or a slog. It’s very impressive and slick. The style also allows Murphy to interact with the audience, allowing for some funny moments of audience participation that added another level of comedy to the show. This was a true standout for me as it meant we all connected with Spike and his storytelling of Buffy’s world, he was speaking directly to us all and getting us involved in revisiting the best moments of the iconic series.
The set is straight from a 90s high school sitcom, but with a supernatural edge. With lockers on one side, a library on the other and an alter in the middle – it’s full of Buffy references and brings all the elements of the show together. The set has everything needed to keep the show going, whether it’s an outfit change or prop, so Murphy never leaves the stage for the full seventy minutes.
It is a fantastic night out for true Buffy fans. Even if you don't know the TV show, you'll still have a wonderful time - it's not one to miss! It’s funny, satirical and bursting with 90s nostalgia. So, grab your vampire slaying friends and head to Lowry before you miss it!
WE SCORE BUFFY REVAMPED...
Buffy Revamped is on at Lowry, Salford until Saturday 1st February 2025
