Bouncers

John Godber’s play, set in the late 1970’s club land, one of the most widely produced in the world, received another airing by the Rep. to appreciative audiences. The four Bouncers – one young, three older, successfully portrayed not only their main characters but those of the male and female customers they dealt with week by week.

Judd (Richard Wilshaw) seemingly the leader but a little slow on the uptake, Ralph (Kevin Jackson) the calm one, Les (Joe Brooke) young, headstrong and very physical and Eric (David Mitchell) nervy and troubled by some of the behaviour he sees. His two monologues were a welcome break to seriously consider the impact of an overdose of alcohol and sex on young people, particularly girls, as he regularly sees it.

The four men skillfully balanced their ‘don’t mess with us’ attitude, their moments of honest personal feelings and the light hearted moments when they ’take off’ their clients. The script appeals to that unfortunate part of us all which is happy to laugh at the misfortunes of others. Perhaps 40 years on some of the dialogue has an uncomfortable ring but still the laughs come first, the discomfort only later

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