Salford University graduates shine light on lives of Manchester’s chuggers in hilarious new play

A hilarious new comedy is set to explore the real lives behind the cheeky smiles and charming personalities of Market Street’s charity collectors.

‘Chuggers’, as the public and the press know them, are now simply part of the furniture of any British high street or shopping centre. Universally avoided, they lie waiting, ready to pounce with their pushy attempts to get our money.

 After a successful debut at the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival earlier in the year, Cheeky Peacocks Theatre Company are bringing Chuggers back to the stage as part of the Manchester Comedy Fringe Festival in November.

 Written by Ben Baxter, a professional fundraiser who has worked across Manchester, the play is based on his experience as a chugger.

 Flowing effortlessly through the highs and the lows of the job, Mark and Jelly – one sensible, one not so sensible – will take you on a day in their life, showing you the relationship between two best friends, their inner ambitions, and their frantic, yet hilarious attempts to pursue them.

 Directed by Aiden Ryan, Chuggers follows his critically acclaimed comedy Ushers, which found itself in the top five of the Raindance Independent Series Awards last autumn.

 Acting alongside Baxter, whose Chuggers script earned him a nomination for Best Newcomer at the Greater Manchester Fringe Awards, is fellow Salford University graduate, Calum Scott.

 With street fundraising bringing in more than £120 million for charities across the UK each year, it’s a lucrative business – but not necessarily for these lads, who want to drop the clipboards for a chance to chase their dreams.

Chuggers will appear at the Three Minute Theatre in Afflecks Palace on November 4th and 5th. Doors open 7pm, show starts 7.30pm.

 Tickets, priced at £6 (£5 concession), are available in advance online or on the door (dependent on availability).