Presented by Red Phoenix Theatre and Holden Street Theatres
Reviewed 27 October 2024
Not only has Red Phoenix Theatre made sure that they only produce South Australian premieres, but that the shows they produce are of the highest quality. Their latest production of Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen as directed by Nick Fagan is no exception – it excels and hits the company’s bar ten times over.
The play opens with the hanging of young Hennessy, a beautifully dramatic cameo by Trevor Anderson, who has been found guilty of murder, but who cries his innocence to the very end. The story then moves to 1965, when hangings in England have been abolished: to a Lancashire pub run by Harry Wade (the second-best Hangman in England), the Hangman who had hanged Hennessy. The rest of the action takes place on the anniversary of Hennessy’s hanging.
McDonagh is known for his dark, black comedies and this is possibly his darkest and blackest with plenty of gallows humour and not-so-woke humour (remember, it is set in the 60s): and a great running gag concerning whether someone is ‘hung’ or ‘hanged’ (it’s ‘hanged’ by the way). He is also known for his vivid depiction of wondrous characters and there is a cornucopia of them in this play. Fagan’s understanding and admiration for McDonagh is obvious from his deft handling of the play and, in particular, how he has imbued his excellent cast with the myriad complexities of their characters.
His set design, although having the majority of the action take place in a fairly realistic pub setting, allows various other locations to be easily worked in without having horrendous set changes. Richard Parkhill’s lighting design is, as always, unobtrusive and competently operated by Ruby Faith. Fagan has also designed the soundscape with Sean Smith, who is spot on operating it. The front door sounds including tinkling bell and the extremely unobtrusive rain during Act Two are spot on – and be prepared to dance, sing or toe tap to the great 60s soundtrack in between scenes. Also keeping well in the 60s theme are the very era appropriate hairstyles provided by Ann-Louise Smith – particularly the barkeep’s wife’s magnificent beehive.
The cast, as previously mentioned, are excellent. Tom Tassone does well as the local newspaper reporter, with the regulars being played hilariously and believably by Greg Janzow (wonderfully doddery and deaf), Steve Marvanek (basically the town’s alcoholic), Russell Slater (the Chief Inspector who catches pints more than criminals) and Leighton Vogt (basically the interpreter for the doddery and deaf one).
Gary George gives us a very realistic Albert Pierrepoint, England’s best Hangman; whilst Jack Robins gives us a well defined sneaky, timid ex-Hangman’s Assistant. The only two females in the cast are outstanding. Rachel Dalton has the raspy-voiced, chain-smoking barmaid down pat, whilst Finty McBain gives a gem of a performance as the daughter.
As the ‘Mysterious Stranger’, Peter Mooney, Joshua Coldwell gives a ‘Rik Mayall’esque performance, playing the character brilliantly as very on the edge of the Spectrum. He is funny, menacing, abusive and just strange all in seconds of one another. His is a performance that will stay in one’s mind for ages. A stunning performance.
Another stunning performance and one that runs the gamut of emotions is that of Brant Eustace as ex-Hangman Harry Wade. His is a master class in acting. We have arrogance mixed with hilarity, mixed with sadness, mixed with fear. This is acting at its highest and best.
North Country accents are used by most of the cast in this play and this reviewer has one slight niggle – the accents are that good that it is sometimes hard to understand what is being said. This is actually a compliment to their hard work and authenticity.
I must give kudos to Red Phoenix Theatre not just for this excellent production but also their quick thinking to try and solve a problem caused by Holden Street Theatres. The day I reviewed the show was the very hot Sunday that we have just experienced. By the time Interval came, we the audience were dying to have something to drink (not helped psychologically by watching most of the characters in Act One down multitudes of ‘beer’ lol). What the company discovered was that the bar had been closed down and the one bar staff went home. Red Phoenix acted quickly and tried to salvage the situation somewhat by providing glasses of water for everyone. Well Done Red Phoenix!!
Reviewed by Brian Godfrey
Venue: Holden Street Theatres
Season: Until 2 November 2024
Duration: 2 hrs 30 mins including 20 min Interval
Tickets: $25.20 + $3.30 fee
Bookings: https://holdenstreettheatres.online.red61.com.au/event/890:17/
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