Here’s a fantastic review from some-ones blog:
John Godbar first wrote Bouncers in 1977 as a stylised look into the seedy world of British Nightclubs and those whose job it is to keep them safe. Using just four actors to portray a myriad of differing characters – both male and female – the quirky and hilarious play proved so successful, that in 1985 he wrote Shakers; a similarly styled play but instead from the perspective of four female cocktail waitresses.
Gemco Players and Director Tanya Barnes made the interesting decision to put these plays back-to-back and give us the event Bouncers & Shakers. Now I’ll preface the following by stating that I – as a general rule – HATE long nights at the theatre. Anything that is well over the two hour mark really tests my patience (I’m looking at you, Les Mis) and often has me looking at my watch and moving around restlessly in my seat. These two shows combined ran at almost three and half hours with an interval; well over my tolerance limit. However, not once did I check my watch. Not once did I drift off and start checking out the lighting rig. Not once did I think ‘I wish this would bloody finish,’ and this is real credit to all involved with this production. The running time simply presents outstanding value for your dollar, delivering an audience member two very entertaining shows for the price of one.
The way the show is written – with short sharp jumps from one series of characters to the next – pace and timing become a real issue, especially when you are running at three and a half hours. It was a pleasure to see a show like this where the the director has worked very hard on these key issues and it showed. Some of the comic timing and delivery on that stage was pure a-grade material . When this show hit the funny mark, it hit it hard; and I spent much of the night trying to actually contain my laughter. Tanya should also be congratulated on adapting the play for an Australian audience including many hilarious in-jokes that really made the audience feel part of it all. A very impressive directing effort indeed.
The outstanding ensemble cast clearly had their work cut out for them with this show. With so many lines, so many characters and so many transitions, I shudder to think how this show would have turned out with lesser performers. It would be unfair to single out anybody in the ensemble cast, but special mention must go to Tim O’Leary and Kym Davies for both executing some of the most brilliant comic timing the Ranga has seen for a long time. However, Kate McManus, Jen Bush, Kylie Storer, Ed Paulsen, Matty P and Daniel Jackson all deserve to be mentioned as well, each and every one of them having some superb moments on stage.
The overall experience – turning the venue into a nightclub and having to get past the Bouncers on entry (Just pray you never cop me in an ad-lib situation like that Mr Jackson!) just added to the overall vibe of the show. The soundtrack was outstanding, the lighting created great transitions and the FOH staff were (aghast) friendly!
I could do the usual Reviewer thing here, where I try to counter balance my praise by picking some minute and mundane detail that I didn’t like and spend a paragraph on it but I’m not going to – I’d just be clutching at straws. Instead, I’m going to recommend this show to anybody who likes a good laugh, finds taking the piss out of popular culture entertaining and isn’t offended by the word F&#k.
- The Ranga
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