Pleasance theatre, London
The real joy of this tale of three working-class friends scheming to save a local hospital lies in its bold, energetic storytelling
Writer Amy Guyler has deftly constructed an intricate play about three working-class friends, the self-named Nobodies, who scheme to save a local hospital – and almost accidentally incite a revolution. It’s essentially an old-fashioned heist movie (turned play) with a political edge, set in a northern town still overshadowed by the mining strikes. The story is strong but the real joy of Chalk Line Theatre’s production is in the storytelling – bold, engaging and conducted with energy and commitment.
Directors Sam Edmunds and Vikesh Godhwani, along with designer Becca White and lighting designer Alan Walden, skilfully conjure up vivid scenes with just a few quick strokes. An ominous-feeling train station emerges from thin air with some carefully placed planks of wood, a strip of yellow tape and spotlights blasted directly into the audience’s startled eyes. An angry riot rises up in a blur of warped masks, red-hued lighting and stamping feet. Dance features heavily throughout – sometimes creating a sense of triumph and togetherness and, as the movement turns ugly, conjuring up a total loss of control.