“Hangmen”, Red Phoenix Theatre’s latest production at Hindmarsh’s Holden Street venue is a very dark comedy-drama that should appeal to all types of true theatregoers.
Here, in a Lancashire pub setting, Brant Eustice is Harry Wade, Britain’s second-best executioner, about to discover that hanging is to be abolished, thus losing his job.
Comforting, confronting, and confusing him are an excellent 12 strong cast, all using thick Lancashire accents and eager to test his reactions, including the celebrated hangman Albert Pierrepoint, who became a legend in his own lifetime.
Eustice, of course, almost unrecognisable from his usual stage appearances, steals the show with a masterly performance as Wade.
However, Director Nick Fagan has skilfully elicited immense intensity from everyone. In his program notes he explains …”It should come as no surprise that I have an interest in gritty stories, with vibrant dialogue and exceptionally dark humour that often contains a dash of violence!”
The program also contains a detailed and almost morbid account of what used to happen at a real live ‘hanging’ occasion.
Don’t get me wrong. There’s also much humour as the tension ebbs and flows in Martin McDonagh’s taut script. However, one cannot praise this excellent cast highly enough, with Josh Coldwell in yet another superb performance, alongside Trevor Anderson, Rachel Dalton, Gary George, Greg Janzow, Steve Marvanek, Finty McBain, Jack Robins, Russell Slater, Tom Tassone and Leighton Vogt.
Every character has their special ‘moments’!
Backstage also shines with Fagan’s set design, Richard Parkhill’s lighting, and Anne-Louise’s imaginative hair styling of the times.
With the amount of ale consumed throughout (all diet beer, I’m informed!) its no wonder ‘a good time’ is had by all.
Runs until November 2nd. GO, because Red Phoenix, to my knowledge, have never mounted a bad or indifferent production.
Photo credit: Richard Parkhill
