Reviews

The Good Thief
Posted by The Devil (admin) on Jul 25 2009
Reviews >> Theatre

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Telling the story of a hapless Irish "frightener", whose pub-owning, gangland boss not only steals his girlfriend but also tries to have him killed, The Good Thief is beautifully and energetically acted by one man, a white table and two white blocks. These last three objects are cunningly employed to conjure the stairs of a house, a car, a pub and a lot more besides—further, our man keeps talking as he moves them forming seamless scene changes as he narrates.

And he doesn't just narrate—he jumps, swaggers, slouches and punches his way across, around and up and down the stage—not an area, not a joule of energy is wasted. Although the story is not the most original—think of a dark Guy Ritchie movie but set in Ireland—the man on stage holds your attention all of the time.

The only time when the energy falls is during the violent scenes which are narrated in a pre-recorded voiceover. I generally dislike these as they destroy the chemistry between audience and performer and it's especially so in this case.

It is not a happy story—our man doesn't escape prison, his companions do not escape death. But, at the end of it all, one feels sorry for our thuggish protangonist; I felt much the same as I do after reading 1984 and I had the overwhelming desire to start singing "under the spreading chestnut tree...".

If it is up again next year, do try to catch The Good Thief.

Company: Watch-It Productions. Venue: C (Venue 34), Edinburgh Fringe 2006.

© Chris Mounsey, August 2006—Published on EdinburghGuide.com

Last changed: Jul 26 2009 at 2:20 PM