Review by Paul Towers, 12/6/23
Bouncers by John Godber
Directed by Jane Towers (no relation)
Produced by Leicester Drama Society (LDS)
At The Little Theatre until Saturday 17th June
“relive your misspent youth”
Bouncers was John Godber’s very first play and has endured since 1977 with a 90’s update. Hence the new title of Bouncers remix.
The action takes place inside and outside stereotypically Northern ‘townie’ nightclub Mr Cinders. Every weekend a collection of teenagers and not-so teenagers descend on the emporium of dance and drink to forget their humdrum lives and, just maybe find if not love at least a warm bed for the night. Sometimes they don’t get as far as bed and their pleasures are found behind the bins at the back of the club.
Overseeing all this mayhem are The Bouncers, four testosterone fuelled guardians of the doors. All life passes, or attempt to pass, through those doors and it is the Bouncers who are tasked with weeding out the undesirables.
Our impartial tuxedoed four are Lucky Eric (Steve Feeney), Judd (Allan Smith, Ralph (Steve Finlay) and Lee (Steve Elliott). Presenting themselves at first as the epitome of upfront manhood these four actors quickly transform at the blink of an eye into a myriad of characters from drunken hen parties to booze filled lads out for a fumble. Their lightening fast switching from one to the other with just a gesture or, as in the case of the hen party, a secreted clutch bag magically displayed, is a wonder to behold. These guys should have been professional!
The set designed by Lucinda Smith is a very simple one, a set of club doors and a gaudy neon sign. What more do you need?
Bouncers is especially resonant for those of us who went out clubbing in the 90’s and anyone wanting to relive their misspent youth should grab a ticket to Mr Cinders at The Little Theatre before it closes on Saturday.
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