Taxi driver Carl has to pay back his gambling debts to the sinister Jack Farrell by midnight - and enlists the help of his straight-living father-in-law George, also a taxi driver and a former friend of Farrell's. But Farrell, secretly fascinated by George, proposes a Faustian pact, providing George with a moral dilemma.

Rank is a well-crafted gangster-cum-psychological drama, set in contemporary Dublin, which explores the nature of addiction and how honest (or not) ordinary people can be - without overdue moralising. But these deeper aspects don't prevent the play from being highly entertaining, allowing it to be enjoyed at different levels. There is plenty of humour throughout - though sometimes in the earlier stages there's over-reliance on sexual innuendo.

Bryan Murray is magisterial as playful but evil Jack Farrell, but probably the best performance is from Eamonn Hunt as George, an initially cantankerous taxi driver with hidden depth. John Lynn deals well with the more comic moments as young 'pretty boy' taxi driver Two In The Bush.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Luke Griffin - Fred Farrell. Eamonn Hunt - George Kelly. Alan King - Carl Conway. John Lynn - Two In The Bush. Byran Murray - Jack Farrell.

Company Credits: Writer - Robert Massey. Director - Jim Culleton. Set & Costume Designer - Bláithín Sheridan. Lighting Designer - Mark Galione. Sound Designers - Ivan Birthistle, Vincent Doherty. Fight Coordinator - Paul Burke. Producers - Orla Flanagan, Marketa Puzman. Dramaturg - Gavin Kostick. Production Manager - Des Kenny. Stage Director - Marketa Puzman. Stage Manager - Clive Welsh. Marketing & Publicity - Highlight Productions. Fishamble Graphic Design - Gareth Jones. Photography - Patrick Redmond. Assistant Director - Louise Lowe. Costume Assistant - Caroline Gray. Company - Fishamble: The New Play Company.

END

(c) Colman Higgins 2008

reviewed Thursday 9 October 08 / The Helix, Dublin City University, Dublin

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com