Just before this play closes at the Wyndham's Theatre, last night it was beamed live to cinemas. Martin McDonagh's new play was first performed at the Royal Court Theatre and follows the success of his film screenplays for In Bruges and Seven Psychopaths.
The first half was a little underwhelming, Harry Wade (England's second best hangman) runs a pub in Oldham. David Morrissey is perfect as this arrogant minor celebrity, angry on the day hanging is abolished. His regulars are a mixed bunch. Enter Mooney (a star turn from Johnny Flynn) a cocky and menacing? young southerner. What exactly is he doing there?
The second half is fantastic, building to a brilliant climax. All that bluster of the first half is wonderfully realised in the second. This is a pretty vicious stuff, raw and offensively funny, so typical of McDonagh. All the cast do well, it was interesting to see Simon Rouse (famous in our house as DCI Meadows in The Bill) playing the old semi deaf Arthur. Mathew Dunster directs with great relish. A memorable evening.
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