Review: Bouncers at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
We've all been there – a Friday night out with your mates, down to the local club, too much to drink and Bob's Your Uncle – adolescent making out.
Under the watchful eye of four Bouncers, the lads and lasses run riot while the audience sits back and sees themselves.
John Godber's hilarious comedy, Bouncers, hits Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre this week as part of its latest UK tour.
Written and performed originally back in the 1970s, this new production has been completely reworked, with updated music, topics and humour and yet the essence of the nightclub culture remains the same.
Ex-EastEnders Ace Bhatti and Don Gilet, Corrie's Ian Reddington and Emmerdale's William Ilkley play the title roles to perfection, with exceptional characterisation, completely capturing the girls dancing around their white plastic handbags and lads getting ready for a big night out. The toilet humour is not for everyone, me included, but it is hard not to laugh out loud.
Reddington's portrayal of Lucky Eric is outstanding, as he fears the worst for the ladies who are easy prey for the drunken louts. He wears the masks of comedy and tragedy throughout, with poignant monologues showing his despair at what he sees.
Everyone has an ugly friend and Ilkley's brilliant performance of the character, Plain Elaine, had the audience in stitches.
Bhatti and Gilet hold their own too and judging by the ladies' reaction, there were plenty of soap fans there to support them.
It's a glimpse of real life alright, but also a piece of extremely well executed theatre, which has stood the test of time and deserved the standing ovation it received. Unmissable. Runs until Saturday.
By Alison Norton
