Hangmen

Leeds Arts Centre is a very successful company that present unusual and interesting plays, and this was no exception.

'Hangmen' was thought-provoking - and brought back memories for me. The question about the abolition of hanging in Britain coincided with my college years - it was all the talk. Martin McDonagh, the writer, has taken this theme for his play, written in 2016, when most of us had forgotten the debates that took place in the 1960's. Was hanging a deterrent?  Was there a case that questioned 'beyond all reasonable doubt' when sentencing someone to death?

The play began with a filmed insert of a young man in the death cell focibly moved to the hanging chamber (Marlowe Mitchell as Hennessy) - startling in itself and well portrayed. Other characters in the filmed section were Rich Francis as the Governor, Jacob Hartley and Chris Watson as the Guards, Nicole Smith as the Doctor.

The man in charge of the hanging is Harry Wade - (inspired by real-life hangman, Harry Allen) - the deed is done and the curtain rises on a pub in Oldham two years later. With the abolition of hanging, Harry has become a landlord. Simon Henson, as Harry, captured the character perfectly. He showed Harry to be still proud of his former job and brags about it to a young reporter (Kylie Hunt as Deidre Clegg) for an article in the Oldham newspaper. Harry's customers in the pub, a motley group of typically Northern drinkers, were all well cast (Barry Green, Andrew Rowley and Ben Hopwood) - there was some great comic dialogue from these characters. Harry's former assistant, Syd Arnfield, played by Brian Diamond, showed how humiliated he had felt over the years working with Harry - there was plenty of black humour in these scenes. Harry's long-suffering wife, Alice, played by Jade Jeffreys, was perhaps a little young for this role, but as I learnt, this was her debut performance and she has the makings of a fine actor. Alice is clearly weary of Harry's arrogant behaviour, as is their daughter, Shirley, played by Laura Marshall - she is a shy, sensitive soul and is also brow-beaten by Harry.

The mood changes in the bar with the entrance of a stranger - a southerner - Peter Mooney, played with uneasy charm by Leigh Dawson. The regulars are confused - why is he there?  What does he want?  Harry tries to confront him but gets nowhere - the play continues to move forward when Mooney begins to engage Shirley in conversation - flirting with her, until she agrees to meet him near the station and take her to the seaside - it's an uncomfortable watch. 

Act 2 brings us to the realisation that Mooney is real trouble - Shirley has gone missing and when Mooney returns to the pub alone, we get the feeling that possibly he has abducted her (or worse). Harry is oblivious to all this in his arrogant manner - lucky for them, Inspector Fry, another pub regular played by Adam Churchman, suspects that Mooney is not what he's cracked up to be and starts to question him. Finally, Harry suddenly realises that Shirley might be in danger and proceeds to tie Mooney up ready to hang him - this is such a jolting moment in the play and not anticipated at all.  Another uncomfortable watch indeed.

At this point, bizarrely, Albert Pierrepoint, the former chief hangman arrives, played by Barry Blatt. He berates Harry for being an inept hangman. There are so many twists and turns in this play, I could go on for ever - it is so well-written.

The play was well directed by Spike Marshall, assisted by Chelsea Issott, together with Production Manager, Zoe Freedman. I could tell Spike had researched the play closely. The set was simple, but effective, lighting and sound of a high standard. This was a team effort from all departments. I only have two minor criticisms - I felt the pub set needed a smoky atmosphere, as it would have had for the 60's - everyone smoked then!  I also would have liked a little more vocal projection from the two female actors, especially when they were tucked into the bar set. These are just personal observations. The night I attended, there was a full,enthusiastic audience.

A special mention to the cast who worked very hard at their characters and brought them to life - and no prompts.

I was quite in the dark about the play beforehand - but it has raised questions for me about the way people can never quite adapt back into normal life when they had such an abnormal occupation in their working lives......

My sincere congratulations to everyone involved.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.