London.

LOADED
by David Brown.

Brockley Jack Studio 410 Brockley Road SE4 2DH To 29 November 2014.
Tue-Sat 7.45pm.
Runs 1hr 10 min No interval.

TICKETS: 0333 666 3366.
www.brockleyjack.co.uk
Review: William Russell 18 November.

Mondeo man, car repairs and much, much more.
In a small garage in Sheffield Pete (Andrew Murton) is agonising over his disastrous relationship with Carol (Gemma Paget), a deeply bitter and twisted woman who drinks and sleeps around which continuing their affair. Meanwhile his staff, Mick (Nick Rogers) and Hud (Christopher Ward) are planning a robbery to raise cash for the good life.

Pete is refusing to join in the actual robbery but goes along with the scheme while Carol, whose flings include Mick, a lusty young buck, is demanding money and drink. It is one of those splendid battles of wills. Who will emerge top dog at the end?

What marks the play out is Brown’s writing, which is superb. He has a gift for creating the most marvellous riffs for his characters. The opening one in which Pete launches an assault on Mondeo Man and explains how to ratchet-up repair costs to people who do not know how their car works is hilarious.

The one in which lothario Mick and Hud, one of life’s patsies, decide what means of transport they will use for the hold-up – a car, a van, a vehicle – and which route they will follow is even better. Never before have the names of Britain’s roads been used to such comic effect. As for the botched hold up job, it is a classic scene in which two idiots with a gun cause unintended mayhem.

The playing is perfect, director Sean McGrath has done a first rate job, and there is an evocative set by Michael Bettell which makes good use of the Jack Studio’s playing space. The result is funny but sad, because the quartet are really losers and their lives no laughing matter. A play to relish.

Pete: Andrew Murton.
Carol: Gemma Paget.
Mick: Nick Rogers.
Hud: Christopher Ward.

Director: Sean McGrath.
Designer: Michael Bettell.
Lighting: Tom Kitney.

2014-11-19 08:39:45