What is a ‘chugger’ I hear
you cry? Well, a ‘chugger’ is a portmanteau word for “charity + mugger”, ie: those awfully
annoying people who stand in the middle of busy high streets desperately trying
to make eye contact with you from ten feet, approaching you, even though they
can see you’re on the phone, forcing their spiel onto you about some ‘charities
vision for change’, and then the next thing you know you’ve miraculously signed
you up to a £10 direct debit for the next year! No? Just me then…
Anyway… Cheeky Peacocks
Theatre Company have revived this play for the third time in four years, and
this’ll be my second time seeing it.
Mark and Jelly are two
friends who work on the street collating direct debit information for ‘Save the Polar
Bears’ charity. Their manager warns them that they’ve got to make five sales
each or else they’re sacked. On top of this Mark’s girlfriend, Suzanne, decides
to dump him by text message and he hatches a (ridiculous) plan to get her back,
giving us a comical insight into the day-in-the-life of a Chugger.
I wasn’t disappointed with
this Cheeky remount; the set was laid bare in Northern Quarter’s Three Minute Theatre (3MT), and apart from the continuous bubbling of the fish tank (which
contained an amphibian resembling humans millions of years ago), the two actors
began on stage by eating a sausage roll from Greggs.
With a brash lights up, the
two charming leads Ben Baxter (who is also the writer) and Calum Scott take you
through a variety of desperately stupid, yet hilarious attempts to make money. The
story is presented as a one scene conversation with the text going backwards
and forwards like a final at Wimbledon. The pace and energy from both actors was
outstanding, and with every other line a big cry of laughter from the audience.
Jelly, played by Baxter, is a
natural comedian coming out with magnificent one liners throughout. His comedy timing is uplifting and allows us to irritatingly love him, even when he’s
being crude - which is a constant. Mark, played by Scott, balances Jelly perfectly.
His increasing frustration, bordering tragic rage, with Jelly and his life is
beautifully performed with humility and side-splitting downtroddenness.
The direction is intelligently
done by Aiden Ryan. You can tell that the actors are incredibly free on stage
and are having lots of fun. There is an element of grace and fluidity from the
actors that can only be shaped by a limitless director.
The complicité (fancy French word for the understanding between the actors) in this play is remarkable, it’s been ages since I’ve been a two-hander where the actors are really enjoying themselves, as well as continuing with a high standard of acting. They were dripping in sweat by the end, the narrative never failed to disappoint with twist after twist. I must say though, the language is profound, showcasing a more contemporary presentation of twenty-something lads – if you’re of a nervous disposition, best take some ear plugs!
The complicité (fancy French word for the understanding between the actors) in this play is remarkable, it’s been ages since I’ve been a two-hander where the actors are really enjoying themselves, as well as continuing with a high standard of acting. They were dripping in sweat by the end, the narrative never failed to disappoint with twist after twist. I must say though, the language is profound, showcasing a more contemporary presentation of twenty-something lads – if you’re of a nervous disposition, best take some ear plugs!
Reviewer - Susanna Amato
on - 1/8/18
No comments:
Post a Comment