ComedyFeaturedNorth WestReview

Stones in his Pockets- Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Reviewer: David Cunningham

Writer: Marie Jones

Director: Matthew McElhinney

Stones in his Pockets by Marie Jones examines how hopes and dreams can inspire people towards great achievements but, if unfulfilled, have tragic consequences.

Residents of a small village in rural Ireland welcomes a Hollywood studio wishing to use the location to film the latest historical blockbuster. It offers the opportunity of short-term employment for local residents and the chance to rub shoulders with superstars of the silver screen. Charlie Conlon (Gerard McCabe) has high hopes the studio might be interested in a screenplay he has written. Jake Quinn (Shaun Blaney), however, is less optimistic having already tried and failed to find success in the USA and returned home to discover the landscape he has missed has been downgraded into scenery for the movie. The dawning sense the film studio may be just another way in which villagers are exploited and disappointed is exacerbated when a local resident is humiliated by the visitors and turns to desperate measures.

Author Marie Jones has created a tragicomedy; although very funny there is an undercurrent of anger at the power imbalance between the wealthy film studio and the humble villagers. The film stars are able to arrogantly ignore the culture and traditions of the community and treat the residents as commodities- the female star of the film regarding Jake Quinn as a bit of rough. Hanging over the play is the sense, once the film studio has left, the villagers will have no practical benefits to show for their participation.

The character of Sean illustrates the perils of disappointed dreams. Having been exposed to the glamour of showbiz at an early age he is doomed to have aspirations towards stardom but no ability or contacts to ensure they are realised. Sean’s disappointment compels him to live an isolated existence dependent upon intoxicants and nudges the play towards tragedy.

The central feature of Stones in his Pockets is that although the play has 15 characters they are all enacted by just two actors. It is a remarkable achievement by McCabe and Blaney in bringing to life such vivid and distinct people. They are at the height of their powers in act two, where a scene involves them showing a range of characters arguing among themselves with the actors switching roles at breath-taking speed that makes the conflict all the more powerful. The duo also engage in a spirited jig between the characters leading to the belting punchline of them collapsing in relief when it becomes apparent they have been performing in a scene from the movie and are delighted an extra take is not required.

The speed with which the duo switch between characters necessitates the use of simple props. A casual move of a shirt off the shoulder or donning of a hat is enough to signal a change has taken place. A rack of clothes is used to suggest a crowd of people and, impressively, a dangling piece of rope becomes a walking stick.

However, whereas past productions of the play have taken a ‘less is more’ approach, with the limited number of actors matched by a bare stage and scant props, director Matthew McElhinney has more radical ideas for the revival. Audio visual designs by Benjamin Collins and Alex Tabirizi are projected onto the rear wall of the stage. The effect is to immerse the audience in the rolling hills and lush farmlands of the Irish countryside. It is a daring approach and may not satisfy purists but certainly makes for a rich satisfying background.

Director McElhinney is determined the audience gets value for money and will not let a joke end until it is squeezed dry. McCabe and Blaney not only take their curtain call in the form of all 15 characters they do so while dancing a jig. The concluding in-joke of scenes from the movie is so surprising it has to be seen to be believed.

The two actor concept could be perceived as a gimmick. But a script which is abrasive as well as amusing, a pair of great performances and imaginative staging ensures Stones in his Pockets achieves its full potential.

Runs until 2 November 2024

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The North West team is under the editorship of John McRoberts. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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