Going to the theatre is something I wish Fleur and I did more but the cost of a ticket for a major West End play in London is around the same cost as a small pacific island, which results in me making some careful choices about what I go and see. Having seen the cast list for Barking in Essex, which stars comic and movie actor Lee Evans, Keeley Hawes (Spooks, Ashes to Ashes) and legend Sheila Hancock I thought I was onto a real winner. The three main characters are Chav criminals with the combined IQ of 6 and all the taste in home décor to go with it.
The character of Albi, that you never see, is about to be released from prison and is looking forward to collecting the £3m he has hidden away, which his dear mother has been looking after for him. Unfortunately, she spent it all on for herself and the other members of the family. Panic ensues along with some very bad language and lots of people being shot.
Lee Evans great comic timing is exactly what you would expect from a stadium filling stand up comic but his character is sadly under used. Keeley Hawes looks amazing as ever but her casting is a little strange for the role of the gangster’s wife who has all the taste in clothes as a big brother contestant. However, she handles the role well and I’m sure I’ve actually met women like that.
The bad language was the difficult part to handle for me. Certainly hearing the word C**t said a few times for comic effect is shocking and funny. However, the use of the word was almost constant and in the end I found myself having C**t fatigue with the shock value failing to be funny or necessary to tell the story. The laughs weren’t constant but the jokes were good and on the whole I did enjoy the play. However, it’s not the sort of play I’d take my grandmother to see.
Afterwards I was lucky enough to meet the cast which was a nice end to a great evening.
M