Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Paul Broughton, Danny O’ Brien, Michael Starke, Mark Womack.

In the night time, in the sometimes unforgiving dark which is briefly punctuated by loud thumping music and neon lights enticing the weary, the foolhardy and the desperate, the bouncer is king of his domain. What he says, happens, if he tells you to sling your hook, you go, tail between your legs; if he orders you to laugh, cry and feel as though the night has been an almighty success, then you have probably seen John Godber’s acclaimed play, Bouncers at the Royal Court Theatre.

If the summer season at the Royal Court is anything to go by, with the exceptional Ladies Day having had audiences in stitches at the antics of Eithne Browne, Lynn Francis, Angela Simms and Roxanne Pallet, then Bouncers saw the gentlemen have their turn at keeping the audience enthralled, entertained and educated on the thoughts of those who venture into night clubs and those that keep the world closed to all but the select few.

Bouncers requires strong authority, a quiet mastery of the characters within this microcosm that is captured by only four actors and in the assuredness and serene confidence of Paul Broughton, the devilish and sensational humour of Michael Starke, the cool sophistication of Mark Womack, who was making his second appearance at the theatre in under a year and the sublime talent that resides in Danny O’Brien, this was a cast that could stand head and shoulders above them all.

With a deftness of spirit, that even hours after you have watched the play, still beguiles and mystifies you, these four gentlemen roared through the scenes as if they had been playing the roles for years. Paul Broughton and Danny O’ Brien simply shone as their characters throughout and the quiet dignity in which Mr. Broughton delivered his monologues spoke greatly of humanity. Michael Starke remains to this day one of the funniest actors in Liverpool. Just a sly nod of his head, a dance routine that would make anybody wonder how he finds the absolute energy needed for the role or the sparkle in his eye when you know he finds something amusing but hasn’t quite let the audience in on the joke is all that is needed to fall in love with his performances each time he takes to the stage.

Mark Womack as the urbane and somewhat classy bouncer Ralph was a revelation and as with all the characters he portrayed on the night, gave the audience something delightful to think about after years of intense straight drama. It is hoped that Mr. Womack won’t give up on the comedy now he has started, he is a born natural.

As with Ladies Day, Bouncers is a real must see. A production that gives you everything you need from a great night out. So classy and so outrageously funny, it practically opens the door for you and ushers you in to its world with no questions asked.

Ian D. Hall