Theatre: Dark, comic two-hander Am I Dead Yet? at Manchester Royal Exchange

This darkly-comic and moving work is a look at bringing the dead back to life and comes to Manchester’s Royal Exchange with stand out performances from actors and writers, John Spooner and Chris Thorpe. Scientists believe that we will soon be able to resuscitate people many hours after their heart stops beating, and the play looks at the social, political, and ethical implications of this. It features songs, stories, and a live demonstration of CPR. The play is written and performed by Jon Spooner and Chris Thorpe, founding members of Unlimited Theatre, a company that specialises in plays that bring the arts and sciences together. Thorpe is also an Associate Artist at the Exchange, and has performed several successful shows there and a former Manchester resident. Am I Dead Yet? has a short, four-day run at the venue’s Studio space.

Wed 20 Apr – Sat 23 Apr, The Studio, Royal Exchange Theatre, St. Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH, Tel: 0161 833 9833, £12 (£10 conc.), 7.00pm, £10, www.royalexchange.co.uk