Working Class Hero

Our Nicolette met John Godber, writer and director of Bouncers.

"It's more akin to stand up comedy than a play really. It's like four stand up comedians, stroke bouncers, telling you about a very funny night." John Godber, playwright and director of the latest production of Bouncers, sums up his play in a nutshell.  "What's interesting for me is coming together with people who've got profile," says John. "The play was the staple of Hull Truck, a rep company, for 28 years and I don't think we've ever done it before with actors who are well known. It's exciting for me to do it on a larger scale."

The four actors - who will each play three parts - are immediately recognisable: Ian Reddington, AKA Vernon from Coronation Street; Don Gilet, AKA Lucas Johnson from Eastenders; fellow Eastenders regular Ace Bhatti, or the evil Dr Yusef Khan; and William Ilkley who has appeared in a wide range of TV soaps and dramas, and performed in a huge variety of theatrical productions.

Time warp

A whopping 35 years have passed since John wrote Bouncers, but he says that the play is still relevant today. "Even though the original version was written in 1977, so little has changed. People still go out and get drunk and try to pick up a girl or a bloke, and they'll either get a smack in the mouth or a kebab. Or both. Or neither!"

The play seems to appeal not only to all generations, but also all regions in theUK, and even countries: John's work has been extensively translated into other languages. John admits, though, that some southern schoolchildren have been a bit bemused by certain aspects. "I directed a production of it in Bromley ten years ago, and afterwards I answered some questions. One person asked: 'Why did you choose to do it in aYorkshireaccent?' So I said, 'You've heard the way I speak, can you have a guess?' And someone else piped up: 'Is it because you just wanted to be different?' which I found hilarious."

No frills

Though it's theatre, the production is almost like TV - it's very fast paced, with lots of switches between characters - which means that the set and props are minimalist so that the action isn't slowed down by set changes: there are just two beer barrels that make up the set. It also means that the boys all have to play girls. Ian says that we won't have a chance to see them wearing six inch platforms, though. "We'll be practising in heels to get into the characters, but there won't be any heels onstage. Just a couple of handbags." John says that this stripped back way of doing things, with minimal set and props, means that nothing gets in the way of the story. "That's what theatre is about, the quality of words and performance."

Sorry, you're not coming in…

John comments that the whole group are from similar, working class backgrounds, and all experienced nights similar to the one portrayed in the play. He says that fellowYorkshirelads Arctic Monkeys summed up the essence of a typical night in their song From the Ritz to the Rubble. "The first line goes: 'Last night these two bouncers, and one of them's all right, the other one's a scary'un.' That's what it was, and still is, like. We used to swap jumpers like they do in the song too!"

John says that the best club of his youth wasRooftopGardensinWakefield. "It was the largest club inEurope, it was unbelievable.Wakefieldthen was whatIbiza's become now. Ibiza,West Yorkshire!" The boys roar with laughter, and Ian grins. "Perhaps Ayia Napa should be renamed Ayup Napa."

Bouncers will play at York Theatre Royal from 5^th-8^th September. Call 623568 or visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

 

 

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