I have incredibly mixed feelings when I look back to my teenage years, sneaking into pubs and clubs with the ID of an older family member, nervously reciting incorrect birthdates, fearful I might pull a Nadine Coyle and out myself as underage.
There was a real thrill about it. Getting in, ordering a vodka coke at the bar, attracting a little male attention, having a dance with the girls. But looking back, I realise just how seedy and full of desperation it was. A desperation to grow up, a desperation to feel seen, and a desperation to escape the monotony of everyday life against a backdrop of dark rooms, sordid blokes and cheesy dance playlists.
I think that is why John Godber’s Bouncers was such a poignant and powerful watch for me as it took to the New Vic’s Theatre in-the-round.
I’ve quickly become a big fan of Godber’s work, having caught Happy Jack, Sunny Side Up and Shakers – Bouncer’s sister play – at the Newcastle theatre in recent years. He’s yet to disappoint, and Bouncers, the Upton-born playwright’s most famous production, might just be one of the best yet.
Set in the 80s to a playlist of Frankie Goes To Hollywood and Rick Astley, Bouncers is an outrageous celebration of the Northern nightclub scene in what many would argue was the ‘best’ decade. It certainly was for music, not so much the misogyny, homophobia, inappropriate sexual behaviour that was the social norm at the time.
Although exploring some dark but necessary topics, it’s a screamingly funny ride through the watchful eyes of the Bouncers as the boys and the boys playing the girls go ‘out out’ in a 1980s Yorkshire disco at Mr Cinders.
Bouncers Lucky Eric (Frazer Hammill), Les (George Reid), Judd (Lamin Touray) and Ralph (Tom Whittaker) arrive onto a smoke hazed stage suited and shiny booted, dancing in a way reminiscent of that scene from The Inbetweeners movie. But much like Shakers, which tells the story of lasses out on the lash, these four actors do the work of dozens, with the men acting out the different punters who arrive at the nightclub, from lairy teenage lads, punks, tipsy women and birthday girls – nothing but a handbag to differentiate gender beyond a voice, well-studied mannerisms and body language that created a caricature of the diverse wave of people you’ll find out on a Friday night.
Between them, the quartet play between 20 and 30 characters alongside their doormen personas, each one as convincing as the last, flipping between some in quite literally, the blink of an eye.
Bouncers isn’t a new play, but it’s easy to draw parallels with life in 2023, having been updated in 2019, appealing to a younger audience, too. In fact, the short play was initially penned and performed in 1977, and has aged like a fine wine, or an 80s chart topper, perhaps.
Speaking on the production from the family-run John Godber Company, in association with CAST, Godber himself said: “I think it’s fair to say that I can’t really remember when the first idea for my play Bouncers came from. What I can remember however, is that as older teenagers, me and my friends would look forward to the excitement of the weekend just as a child looks forward to Christmas.
“The sense of excitement, of possibility, danger and romance was intoxicating to us back then. The fact that usually the whole experience was totally disappointing and dispiriting didn’t stop us longing for the next weekend to come along.
“It was this recurrent sense of wanderlust that was to fuel my imagination which would eventually lead to the version of Bouncers which is with us today.”
The camaraderie between the four cast members is immediately apparent on stage. There’s a real chemistry between the quad, who are able to bounce off one another as they move in unison – or canon – rapping along to the Sugar Hill Gang or singing to Bros.
The doormen are the all-seeing eye of violence and vulnerability on a night out, and the four of them address the serious topics of homophobia and exploiting young women with required discomfort.
The most moving parts of the show came in the form of Lucky Eric’s speeches – of which there are four – each one growing in intensity and emotion until he is practically ready to burst. The after-dark occurrences make him equally as uncomfortable as he condemns the exploitation of underage drinkers, recalling an anecdote of four men taking advantage of a young woman in a pub, which resulted in sore heads and black eyes for many.
These speeches allow Eric to pour out his heart, release his hurt and anger and share some of his own vulnerabilities,
Frazer, who plays Eric, is a remarkably likeable character, and really stands out in the show, supported by the talented ensemble, but it’s his character development which sees his toughman persona soften and his protective streak shine through that puts him in the forefront of the play.
Between Eric’s monologues, it’s not long before you’re in stitches once more, whether it’s Tom’s comic timing as Sexy Susie or scouse doorman Ralph, to Lamin’s not-to-bright and slightly tormenting Judd and George’s immature teenage charm and sleazy bouncer role.
Hilarious, vulgar, frenetic and highly physical, banter and humour brings much-needed relief to the darker undertones of the production, with the loudest laugh of the night coming in the form of an 80s porno re-enactment as the Bouncers watch a blue videotape after hours, with Frazer playing the woman in the shower, and Tom, the Norwegian postman.
There is so much that makes this play so wonderfully witty, with Godber constantly striving to push the boundaries of playwriting, from the spoken state directions and breaking of the fourth wall, to the onomatopoeic ‘clip clops’ of high heels and ‘bing bongs; of hairdresser doors.
Directed by John’s partner, Jane Thornton, and produced by his daughter, Elizabeth, Bouncers is a relatively short, but faced-paced production, and is satisfyingly slick and polished, well choreographed and expertly executed with razor sharp precision.
As relevant today as it ever was, Bouncers is a vision of British 80s nightlife during Thatcher’s rule. It depicts the grim realities of nightlife through grimy social commentary, where skint Northerners saved up their dole money and lived for weekends of pints, pulling and porn, while still providing the feel good factor with eye-wateringly funny comedy and a pumping 80s soundtrack. Bouncers is a vision of British 80s nightlife during Thatcher’s rule,
Bouncers takes to the stage at the New Vic from Tuesday 28 March to Saturday 1 April 2023. Tickets are on sale now, priced from £20.00. For more information and to book call the Box Office on 01782 717962 or online at newvictheatre.org.uk.
Read more John Godber reviews:
- Happy Jack by John Godber at the New Vic Theatre
- Sunny Side Up by John Godber at New Vic Theatre
- Shakers: Under New Management shines light on post-Covid hospitality at the New Vic
