RANK. To 22 November.
Dublin/Touring.
RANK
by Robert Massey.
Fisshaamble TheatreCompany at The Tricycle To 22 November 2008.
Mon-Sat 8pm (5 November 7pm) Mat Sat 4pm.
Runs: 2hr 10min One interval.
TICKETS: 020 7328 1000.
www.tricycle.co.uk
Review: Stoon Barar 3 October 2008 at Dublin Theatre Festival.
The sexiest taxi you’ll ever hail.
This cab’s licensed to thrill, with great performances, effective staging and a skilful directorial eye which squeezes every drop of humour, tragedy and menace from Robert Massey’s third play; the quality of writing is such that I rate it only marginally behind the (similarly coarse) Blackwatch for new plays I’ve seen in 2008.
It’s billed as a ‘Darkly Comic Thriller’ - a tad modest since it achieves excellent balance between those genres while adding poignancy to many scenes.
The action centres around taxi drivers Carl and George (no happy cabbies here) and their ‘dealings’ with local crime lord Jackie Farrell and Fred, his strapping enforcer of a son who is genetically all brawn and zero brain, yet exudes sufficient naivety to gain our sympathy.
Carl has two problems: how much he owes, and who he owes it to: a symptom of the gambling addiction which kicked in following his wife’s death. The older George has dealt with his demons but is about to revisit them.
The quintet is completed by young Bush (John Lynn), a fellow cabbie who brings a mellow subtlety to the humour (his interactions with Fred are a highlight). The only lovable chap in this rogues' gallery, we really do warm to him.
The other standout performance is George (Eamonn Hunt). We empathise with his sentiments and never tire of his speeches (the petrol station rant is memorable) as he brings sanity and humanity to proceedings and manages to retain his dignity.
The other three are excellent, each displaying fault lines. But it is Jackie who genuinely sickens us; his sudden lurches towards spoken and physical violence tar the piece with a streak of nastiness.
There are a couple of glitches; the opening minutes flounder a bit, dangerously hovering over sit-com land, without narrative or focus; things click into gear when Fred exits and we’re left with Jackie and Carl. Also the final scene feels bolted-on and the ending needs a bigger bang. But overall this is highly recommended and should not be missed by those Lucky Londoners seeking an alternative to the usual black (cab) fare.
Jack Farrell: Bryan Murray.
Fred Farrell: Luke Griffin.
Carl Conway: Alan King.
George Kelly: Eamonn Hunt.
’Two in the Bush’: John Lynn.
Director: Jim Culleton.
Designer/Costume: Bláithín Sheerin.
Lighting: Mark Galione.
Sound: Ivan Birthistle, Vincent Doherty.
Fight co-ordinator: Paul Burke.
Dramaturg: Gavin Kostick.
Assistant director: Louise Low.
Costume assistant: Caroline Gray.
2008-10-03 22:33:36