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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
The Things Good Men Do
Verdict: Fault-lines of love
The Things Good Men Do is a new play by Dan Muirden. It’s set in present-day London and follows the twists of romantic relationships. There’s a cast of four (2M, 2F). It runs for 90 minutes without interval.
Mates Nick (Ciaran McConville) and Joe (Samuel James) do lively dialogue on monogamy versus bachelordom – it’s clever banter. They’re getting ready for a friend’s stag night. Nick’s been struck by love and is taking himself off the market. Joe, a proper geezer, goads him with the salacious possibilities of single life. Nick stands firm - he’s met the one; he’s set to give it a go.
Nick’s next in the grotty bed-sit of his one-time dial-a-shag Adriana - subtly portrayed by Susanna Fiore. He’s telling her he can’t see her any more – she’s obviously smitten. Adriana applies her highly manipulative feminine charms, aided by a few risqué picture of herself in a school uniform. Nick’s good intentions are briefly forgotten.
It’s a minor indiscretion that spirals into chaos, revealing a very ugly part of seemingly good-natured Nick. He tries to keep control – and his dirty laundry sotto voce. He alienates the people who love him. He makes his own ruin.
Stephanie Langton gives a slightly over-egged performance as Nick’s wronged girlfriend Lucy. She makes an adept cameo as a counsellor in an abortion clinic.
Ciaran McConville as Nick makes the transition from too-sweet-to-be-true boyfriend to unhinged emotional wreck with humour and versatility - finding the truth in each transition.
Samuel James’s Jo gains depth as the play progresses. His Jo develops from archetypal skirt-chasing party-boy to a responsible and concerned friend.
There are a few shaky moments. One in particular involves acting against a recorded message - although Ciaran McConville does it skilfully, it’s uncomfortable to watch.
Tasmin Ayers’s set is versatile and doesn’t need set changes – which keeps the pace up. Too much drag would be a death sentence - the play verges on being too long. All the props are velcroed to the back wall for easy access. This blatant lack of realism kick-starts the suspension of disbelief. It lets the actors get straight into creating a world. The stage is divided into three, letting the action move all over London with nothing more than a black-out.
Dan Muirden writes nimble dialogue with the benefit of lively performances. The play uses the resulting intense dynamic between the characters to explore the complexity involved in trying to create a perfect relationship.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Adriana - Susanna Fiore. Joe - Samuel James. Lucy - Stephanie Langton. Nick - Ciaran McConville. Voice Credits: Rich - (voice of) Hugo Cox. Nick's Mum - (voice of) Penny Krinski.
Company Credits: (from programme): Writer - Dan Muirden. Director - Jamie Harper. Designer - Tasmin Ayers. Lighting Designer - Adam Bullock. Sound Designer - Lee Wilson. Stage Manager - Neil Ponsford. Photographers - Steven Lim, Simon Prince. Press - Sue Hyman - Sue Hyman Associates. Print Design - Steven Lim Producers - Kieran Healey, Lina Orsino, Dan Muirden. Company - Up Close Theatre. Thanks to: LAMDA, TURNS, Richard Hull, Jonny Davies.
END
(c) Sarah Shavel 2005
reviewed Wednesday 18 May 05 / Lyric Studio Hammersmith
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
