BWW Reviews: BOUNCERS, Old Rep Theatre Birmingham, April 17 2015

Bouncers remains a timeless piece and one of John Godber's most popular plays. The current tour presented by the John Godber Company and Theatre Royal Wakefield is playing its penultimate venue this week in Birmingham. The show has been extensively performed across the country so one would presume it would be difficult to keep the text fresh. However, a bouncer's recollection of a regular evening at work is as valid now as it was thirty years ago when it was written.

The four-strong cast play numerous characters whom they commonly encounter as a bouncer. The script is hilarious, relatable but also quite dark in places. Robert Hudson, Adrian Hood and Chris Hannon performed in last year's tour together and are joined by Frazer Hammill this year. As a cast, there are so in sync with one another and have fantastic chemistry. Having John Godber directing this production too must be the ultimate for any actor as it is his vision on paper and in performance. It is a credit to Godber and the company on how the piece is portrayed. The transitions between scenes and characters are seamless and executed to perfection. The men - ultimately bouncers - also play teenage girls, hairdressers, DJs, club goers, men on a stag weekend to name but a few. The irony is that they remain in their suits and bow ties throughout with only a couple of props to assist them.

There is no set apart from a neon style sign and four empty beer barrels which are used to set the different scenes to great effect. Graham Kirk's lighting design is excellent and there is never any doubt where the action is taking place - simplicity at its best.

The audience was predominantly students last night and it became apparent that they were to perform Bouncers as part of their performing arts course. It is fantastic to hear young people being so excited about theatre. This play does have a different demographic to most shows and I'd imagine that men would find it incredibly entertaining.

Bouncers plays at the Old Rep Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday and ends its tour in Scarborough next month.

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