The in-the-round setting at New Vic Theatre became the 1980’s hottest nightclub in town ‘Mr. Cinders’ as John Godber’s classic comedy ‘Bouncers’ opened last night. Directed by Jane Thornton and originally performed at Edinburgh Fringe in 1977, this four-hander relives a night at a Yorkshire disco with a thumpingly good soundtrack.
Telling the tale of Bouncer’s Judd, Les, Ralph and Lucky Eric, the versatile cast play every character in it, from the vulgar and laddish Bouncers, to the young ‘lads and lasses’ on a night out, even the pre-event barbers and ladies’ hairdressers.
The cast of Frazer Hammill (Lucky Eric), Lamin Touray (Judd), Tom Whittaker (Ralph) and George Reid (Les) were sensational. Taking us on a hilarious trip down memory lane to a Friday night out on the town. From the hairdressers, to the club front, the dancefloor, nightclub toilets, taxi rank and streets outside, we were transported by their seamless transition of one group of people to another (they play over 20 characters), with little more than four stools as props.
Their performance highly polished, expertly choreographed and executed and their rapport clear for anyone to see.
Everything was there and you will certainly recognise yourselves and your friends’ in there somewhere on a boozy night out and raise a wry smile. Interjecting the hilarity with poignant soliloquy is ‘Lucky Eric’ who muses and comments on the less appealing aspects of his profession and the sorry sights he sees and his own melancholy.
The play is an institution, gathering awards internationally and whilst you can clearly see the societal differences of forty years, its also interesting to see the similarities with the giddiness of youngsters on a night out which is time immemorial.
Rattling through the expertly executed physical comedy in 100 minutes, the audience gave a thoroughly deserved standing ovation for the cast of four who were absolutely fantastic.
This classic is wickedly funny, brilliantly executed and choreographed and is an absolute must see. It’s on until 1st April and tickets are selling fast. Further details on the New Vic site are available here https://www.newvictheatre.org.uk/productions/bouncers/
