Bouncers

BOUNCERS... a play presented by Rainhill Musical Theatre Company at Rainhill Village Hall, Rainhill on Friday 10th September, 2021

This was the start of a ‘Special Year’ for RMTC... this being their 70th Anniversary Year (1951 to 2021). I do hope and pray that all your celebrations go without a hitch and that your 70th year is all that you hope it will be!  

This ‘masterpiece’ was written by John Godber and, is not only his most well known piece of work, but his most performed, having been translated into many languages and performed in many countries around the World.  Originally written in 1977 and premiered that same year at the Edinburgh Fringe, it was reworked in 1991 resetting it in the 1980’s. For anyone unfamiliar with this relentless story, it revolves around four contrasting ‘bouncers’ manning the doors at a Northern Nightclub called ‘Mr Cinders’. A lot happens during just ‘one night on the town’, but nothing really out of the ordinary!  We are introduced to other groups, four girls, four guys all readying themselves for a night ‘out on the lash’. We meet a psycho barber, a hairdresser, and, as we hit the nightclub, a rather disturbing DJ plus many others! Disasters occur, crazy money is spent, they get drunk and before going home, the obligatory ‘kebab’ (or is it), has to be purchased (brown sauce or red, onions or not)!

This was RMTC’s first production back after the pandemic and, although the situation had eased, they still faced many rehearsals affected by the ‘virus’; but having seen the production, you would never have known! So, having taken into account everything that had been thrown at them, who would have wanted to direct this first ever, production? Well, Elliot Bailey was that man!   Elliot not only took on that responsibility, but he also had the vision and imagination required to bring this piece to life… well done young man, no need for those nerves... great job!   Working alongside Elliot was Claire Jones (Producer) and Bryan Dargie-Lynch (Choreography). Having spoken to many from RMTC, it became obvious that Elliot and Claire had worked really well together, the results of those efforts were there for all to see…well done Claire. Bryan introduced some really clever and imaginative movement in the production which provided us with some fabulous moments and some great routines... well done Bryan, be proud sir! 

The cast comprised of four male actors, all of whom took on a myriad of roles (around 30 characters in all). All four looked totally comfortable throughout, individually brilliant whilst working ever so well as a team! What was outstanding for me was their ability to seamlessly change from character to character whilst interacting with the audience with effort less ease...  totally enhanced the overall production.

Our cast: Paul Robinson as ‘Lucky Eric’, Ben Evans-Clarke as ‘Les’, K. Ellis as ‘Judd’ and Aiden Maj as ‘Ralph’ and what a cast it was!

Paul Robinson provided us with a moving performance as ‘Lucky Eric’, the troubled man, separated from his wife and cynical about his line of work. Perfect fit for this role, great characterisation throughout His two speeches broke up this fast paced play, both were poignant and delivered with heartfelt emotion. (lump in throat time... especially for second speech)...well done Paul, great performance!  

Ben Evans- Clarke played ‘Les’ the younger more ‘naive’ full of ‘fun character’.  Les is impressionable, but is defiantly up for a fight.  Again, wonderful characterisation, totally believable, a well judged performance... be proud Ben... well done!

K. Ellis played ‘Judd’... Judd can only be described as an ‘ALL BRAWN WITH VERY LITTLE BRAIN’ type character!    The ‘joker of the pack’, he takes great delight in ‘winding’ Eric up!  Again, great characterisation, great mannerisms, great stage presence...be ever so proud...another great performance!

It’s difficult to select favourites without doing injustice to others, but I do think Aiden Maj playing ‘Ralph’ just ‘stole the show’ for me!  ‘Ralph’ is probably the less volatile of the four bouncers and the voice of reason! What made Aiden standout for me was his versatility!  His characters were so distinct; his ability to change from ‘Ralph’ to ‘Aiden’ to ‘Susie’ in an instant was impressive and to cap it all, his characterisation of the ‘Sleazy DJ’ was outstanding.... be ever so proud Aiden great job and looking at the programme notes... ‘Good luck at LIPA’.  

Favourite moments:

i)  Without doubt the two speeches from ‘Lucky Eric’ (especially the second) were outstanding! In the midst of all that fracas...to slow things down and deal with issues such as ‘binge drinking’, ‘drug abuse’, sexualisation of young girls, sleazy men taking advantage takes skill and ability!  Emotional, thought provoking you could have heard a ‘pin drop’... great work, Paul

ii) The ‘Swedish Sex Video’ scene was hilarious... so well directed, so well acted!

iii) Loved the scene in the ‘barbers shop’ with our ‘Psycho Barber’... acted to perfection!

iv) BEST for me was the ‘Dirty Dancing – Time of your Life’ scene.... outstanding!  Really well choreographed, superbly acted and danced.... outrageous scene... loved it!

All this was done to the most minimal of sets - ‘black back cloth and two beer barrels’ (provided by Skew Bridge Alehouse, Rainhill), which ‘I think’ must have made life easy for our Stage Manager John Horley, but I’m never confident to say that a Stage Managers job is ever easy! Costumes and props were provided by the cast and RMTC and were apt and appropriate!  Sound and Lighting - Rainhill Village Hall is a historically challenging venue for both ‘sound’ and ‘lighting’.  Having been there many times and having spoken with many sound and lighting people, there is no doubt that this is a real challenge and although neither were perfect, neither became an issue that affected the production or spoiled what was a brilliant night, so thanks to John Horley and Karen Wood on lighting and Eddie Johnson on sound.

Congratulations to everyone involved - we are still not back fully, but we are getting there!  Let’s keep going, keep safe and stay well.

Thank you so much for inviting Susan and I - your hospitality is so appreciated and can’t wait to see all again soon!

Jim Briscoe
NODA North West
District 6 Rep

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