This world premiere of Alan Plater’s work sees another collaboration with director Mark Babych, who returns to the Octagon for his penultimate production. The pair enjoyed previous success there with Blonde Bombshells of 1943, now on its third national tour.
This time Plater explores the genre of crime thrillers, in homage to his favourite author, Raymond Chandler, incorporating his other passion for jazz. Music permeates throughout with an original jazz score by Alan Barnes. It’s performed by a terrific jazz trio headed by Howard Gray and a talented cast who are also accomplished musicians.
Plater’s script swaps the mean streets of LA for a sleazy bar in Tyneside’s Wallsend. His witty dialogue, firmly rooted in reality, sparkles with swingeing attacks on the economic crisis, regeneration and corruption in banking, making this play with music very much of our time.
In a role written for him, Tim Healy shows just how talented he is as both actor and vocalist as Phil, a world weary, unfulfilled architect who turns detective.
During his search for the lost recording of Buddy Bolden, a legendary jazz trumpeter, we meet his crusading sister Bella, Jane Holman, Fat Jack who isn’t fat, Nicholas Lumley and Ella, a beautiful blonde who isn’t really blonde, Jayne MacKenzie. Phil Corbitt is best friend Frank, whilst Jacqueline Boatswain is Zelda, the seductress.
The laughs come thick and fast in this slick co-production dominated by moody video imagery. A delight from start to knee-kicking finish.
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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