Review: MEN BEHAVING BADLY THE PLAY, The Barn Theatre
Alex Tabrizi
A true blast of 90’s nostalgia. Originating from Simon Nye’s comedy novel Men behaving badly back in 1989, followed the hugely successful sitcom of the same name. Originally starring Martin Clunes and Harry Enfield in 1992 with the introduction of Neil Morrissey as Tony later in 1993. Today the Barn Theatre presents the world premiere of Men Behaving Badly The Play also written by Simon Nye, with direction by Joseph O’Malley.
Set in London on New Year’s Eve,1999, approaching the turn of the century, we see these instantly identifiable characters return to pick up exactly where they left off! Exploring the lad culture of these men that have simply in the past refused to grow up, as they enter into the next era of their lives .
On the brink of welcoming his second child into the world, and on the eve of his wedding, Gary is genuinely trying to embrace responsibility. However, as the four friends reunite, the laddish banter and deliberately juvenile behaviour soon resurface, unleashing inevitable mayhem and posing the question, as O’Malley states when describing Nye’s script “When, if ever, is it time to grow up?”.
Ross Carswell and Ellie Nunn who play the roles of Gary and Dorothy recreate the original characters perfectly with the right amount of familiarity but also creative freshness. We meet Matt Howdon stepping into the shoes of Tony who provides laughs a plenty, paired with Tricia Adele - Turner, both delivering solid and authentic performances.
Special mention has to go however to Neil Jennings for his performance as Ken, exuding life and soul energy, themes of male friendship and a real interval scene stealer surprise! Completing the cast is Valerie Antwi as Eve - girlfriend to Ken, a key presence rather than a leading one, but a role with substantial, significant impact none the less.
Set and costume design comes from Alfie Heywood who is no stranger to designing for the barn, now on his 7th show with them and also his 3rd time collaborating with O’Malley. The set is cleverly fixed as the famous flat of Gary and Tony recreated. Retaining all the nostalgia, joy and familiarity of the one featured in the sitcom, interjected with fresh creative nods. This is seamlessly transformed into the Crown pub using a layered set technique, the original set remains in situ blended into the background as the scene shifts to and fro.
This piece and its script are a true celebration of the 1990s, making multiple references to key moments and events throughout that decade as it hurtles towards the new millennium. Watching what is essentially an elongated live sitcom episode performed in front of an audience, within a theatre setting, is an intriguing notion, but the creatives have made excellent use of the beautiful and diverse space of The Barn. A delightfully quirky, award-winning, innovative performance space based in the heart of the Cotswolds.
The instantly familiar theme tune, alongside other ‘90s hits, provides another feel-good hit of nostalgia, and there are certainly laughs out loud aplenty, echoing throughout the audience.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by Claire Baker
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