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“Lucky be a lady tonight”, Hums hammered the Mugsy of Animashaun at the start of this smashing renewal of Choice of dealer. It is a beautiful hat point to this classic theatrical game Guy and dolls. And it's just to say that Patrick MarberThe Grazillante Comedy has acquired its own modern classic status in the 30 years that have followed the on stage, all the boastful and praise.
A remarkably guaranteed first piece, developed over two weeks of poker workshops in the National theater studio, he announced that Marber announced a major talent. In some ways, it is now a period of the time: the only mobile phone on stage is a clumsy relic; There is talk of bouncing checks; The noisy and Blokey jokes are really his time. But the representation of men who rush for connection and validation on a card game after working hours never feel like never before. Likewise, the compassionate exploration of masculinity, dependence and hopes corroded by Marber. The real world options for these men offer bad luck.
It also contains a handful of juicy and well designed characters, which Matthew Dunster's excellent distribution seized with Glee. Assessed around the green baize are the leader of Theo Barklem -Biggs Sweeney – divorced, motivated and determined to jump the game this evening to be fresh and in funds at 9 am for his five -year -old daughter; The Frankie server (Alfie Allen), a probable boy who saves for Vegas and overthrows the red wine at high speed; The restaurateur Stephen (Daniel Lapaine), a fragile control monster that runs the game; And his 20-year-old son, Carl (Kasper Hilton-Hille), a serious addict of slot machine. There is also the Mugsy server, a sweet Dolt, whose dreams of opening his own restaurant in an old toilet in the East is constantly rinsed by the contempt of his colleagues. And then there are Joker ashes, a taciturn foreigner played with a cold threat from Brendan Coyle.
Marber puts the floor well in the first half, so that when we arrive in the basement (via a neat kick of tea from designer set me tran), we are very aware of the real issues for each character. The dialogue clicks on the fingers quickly and funny, with more than a nod to Pinter (that Marber Vénère) and Mamet (including GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Marber is currently heading in New York). But under all snaps and crackling are weight themes: parenthood, responsibility, risk.
Everyone in the room is a drug addict, including Stephen who, for all his Pernidety rules, cannot resist a bet and who essentially plays the future of his son by believing that he can “heal” him at the table. Lapaine is great, a real waste of care, anger and regret, which are all reflected in a key different from the wonderful and sorry Sweeney of Barklem-Biggs (which, of course, ends up playing after all). The Hilton -Hille – nervous, start and vulnerable carl in a young foal – looks like an old block chip.
But in this beautiful set, the out -of -competition performance comes from Animashaun. Always a warm and funny presence on stage, it brings a perfect comic timing and a real feeling to Mugsy. Ironically, in 2025, his public convenience restaurant of novelty would probably be a safe bet.
★★★★ ☆
As of June 15, Donmarwarehouse.com
