Stags and Hens – a great play from Devious Theatre
Date:
Thursday, July 23, 2009
By Aisling Hurley
Devious Theatre have once again surpassed
expectations with their latest play Stags and Hens. It shows a new
maturity in their work after the excellent productions of Cannibal The
Musical, Trainspotting and John Morton's original work - Heart Shaped
Vinyl and Smitten.
They have really grown as a troupe with this
play by Willy Russell revelling in the meatier parts on offer. Set in
1970s Liverpool, all the action takes place in the toilets of a
nightclub. A stag and hen party of the same wedding meet over one
fateful and very drunken night.
It is a play essentially about
shattered dreams. The sadness of the characters lives is depicted in
hilarious detail where all they have is sex, football and music to lift
them out of their drudgery.
This production of the play captured
all of its wit but didn't flinch from the pathos either, providing a
great night’s entertainment for all. One performance deserves special
mention - Ken McGuire was fantastic as the frustrated bully Eddy. He
brilliantly captured every nuance of his pathetic swagger.
Also
John Morton delivered a great character study of a weak willed
lothario, Robbie with Ciara Donegan stealing the show on the girls side
as the brassy best friend Bernie who is all dirty talk and no action.
Their
brilliant physical comedy and timing with gags was supplemented by a
more rounded approach. It was not as immediate as their other plays but
definitely a more satisfying experience. The only criticism was that
the Scouser accents drifted at times and some jokes were lost because
of bad projection.
Overall, the real joy of their shows are the
audiences they attract - not just the usual friends of the cast or
cultural snobs but cool people with tattoos and cans of beer.
Long may they continue.