Hangmen

'Hangmen' by Martin McDonagh centres around the abolition of the death penalty in the UK. The last hanging took place in 1964, it was then suspended in 1965 it then took until 1969 to abolish it. This award-winning play centres around the fictitious Harry Wade that has similarities to Harry Allen, assistant to Albert Pierrepoint - the most famous hangman in Britain and - no spoilers - but the latter makes an appearance in this play. Harry Allen did go on to be Chief Executioner and own pubs in Lancashire as the character Harry Wade does. The writer says the two have a lot of similarities. The striking thing is the subject matter is gruesome and the writer chooses to use comedy to help make the story more palatable.  Billed as ‘Drop Dead Hilarious’ - a hard-hitting play underneath and also maybe triggering to some, Bolton are not afraid to take on these challenges.

The set is striking and as you enter the auditorium a flat is set in front Downstage of the main set acting as a cell where an actor paces the room - convicted murderer James Hennessey played by Ben Latham. The rest of the set in then revealed as the pub - authenticity is noted - the colours plush burgundy for upholstery and curtains and the wood half way up the wall and wrapping around the bar with footrail at the bottom. Various pictures around the walls including a picture of the late Queen Elizabeth in her youth. Doors Stage Left and Right with Ladies and Gentlemen above them denoting where the toilets are. On the back wall is an entrance to the upstairs and the door to outside. A snug Upstage Left with curtains to the floor.  Wall lights with shades and coat hooks by the door. The bar with wood and ceramic beer pumps and decorated with various things you would find in a pub at that time including a bell for calling time. Bar stools and tables adorn the pub and with a thing of the past - large ashtrays on the table. A Woodbine cigarette dispensing machine is also on the back wall evoking the nostalgia. Lots of little touches added to the era included the knitted tea cosy.  Nice touch of the red rose wallpaper on the wall going up the steps. Another scene was shown using a flat that was set in a café. The beginning of the opening scene James Hennessey is to be hanged and he is led away and Upstage Right raised above the bar a gauze curtain backlit to reveal the hanging room. Very striking and sending a chill through me.  Also, Bolton Little Theatre decided to not just have characters coming in with water droplets on them - they had a full rain curtain at the outside door adding to the drama of a gloomy Lancashire day. Very Impressive. Set Builders Jeff Lunt, Steve Butler, Helen Livesey, Jolyon Coombs and Andrew Gradwell. Props Judith Leigh and Chelsea Nelson. Lighting helped to set the atmosphere - Lighting Design and Operation Peter Gower, John Lyon and Ashley Foster. Sound Design and Operation Janice Lyon and John Lyon. Costumes looked good and of the time period. Wardrobe Janet Hardman and Judith Leigh.

Simon Mott directs this, set in the 60’s it’s a brutal play and he makes good use of the set and positioning of the actors. With the use of lighting the hanging at the beginning was very effective and somewhat shocking as it should be - as was the unintentional one too. The two scenes requiring flats were done well in front of the main set.  It was clear to see the sycophants who frequented the pub just to hang on the landlord’s words, despite his disrespect for them.

The cast of twelve - which struck me as that’s how many people are on a jury (I wonder if that was the writer’s intentions?) - were James Hennessey the convicted murderer played by Ben Latham. Derek Clegg played by Tom Wilson, the newspaper reporter from the Oldham Gazette who wanted to get the scoop on what Harry thought of the abolition. Inspector George Fry was played by Andrew Gradwell who got more than he bargained for in frequenting the pub.

Arthur played by Ian Duckworth who was hard of hearing and Charlie played by Richard Leigh were like a double act. Ian’s character sat Downstage Right most of the time – unless he had a quick call to the toilet - missed most of what was said so his mate Charlie relayed everything word for word. Arthur also was inclined to blurt the truth out and then be sorry. Very believable friendship and it was like a play with old fashioned subtitles. Jim Smith played the barfly Bill who by his own admission was an alcoholic, he was probably the most enamoured with Harry.

Darcy Tayler played Harry and Alice’s daughter Shirley Wade. Alice Wade was Harry’s wife and was played by Sabrina Kearney. Harry Wade played by Peter Scofield was a most unlikeable character, fond of his own voice and very rude to people even the Inspector. Bitter about Albert Pierrepoint’s recognition so much so he blurts it all out to the journalist which is odd as he is a man, he says, who keeps his own counsel. He loves his regulars ‘hanging’ on his every word in the pub. Who does he like? His relationship with his wife who come across as a strong woman but takes his bad behaviour begs the question - does he even like her? Peter played Harry Wade as a big obnoxious character really well, I would have liked to see a small chink of vulnerability, I nearly got it when his daughter goes missing but to just give me another layer of the character and his complexities. It was just a thought and only my opinion but a great larger than life character. 

Harry’s sidekick ex-assistant Syd Armfield who is the one to set off the chain of events that happen played by Gareth Preston. I will be honest - I wasn’t sure at first of his character and he grew on me through the play - his dithering and uncertainty and getting into more than he bargained for was played out well and hilarious. The mysterious visitor Peter Mooney played by Joel Cheetham. Why was he there?. . . a great talking point for the audience, I am sure. On the edge and clearly planning something almost schizophrenic in manner, changing personality sometimes mid-sentence. Joel must have had a great time creating this character. Because of his demise and us not really knowing why he was there it’s a truly shocking end. We as the audience do not need to know his reasons and it adds to the plot - who is using who re. Syd and Peter.  Maybe Syd is not at daft as he appears?  I have so many questions for Syd…Well played both.

Last but not least Albert Pierrepoint played by Glenn Robinson who arrives dapper in dress and commands the stage immediately.  Deliberate in speech and making sense maybe why Harry dislikes him as he doesn’t suffer fools gladly. Great scene where he makes everyone smell his hair and their reactions to having to smell his hair.

Thank you Bolton Little Theatre for the invitation and introducing me to this unusual play from my guest Ursula and I. Theatre can cause laughter, tears and debate and many more things - this play has it all, the more you think about what has a happened the more you think and that’s a good thing I think!

District 5 Rep

Liz Hume-Dawson

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