Cowbois: Charlie Josephine

RSC, The Swan: Stratford Upon Avon

Runs: 2h 40, with one interval, till 18 November, 2023

Review: AD Performance, 11th November 2023

4****

Review: Roderick Dungate.

‘Drama goes where other debates cannot reach.’

Charlie Josephin Has written an enjoyable and mighty vigorous play which deals with one of the minefield issues of our age. It explores, often with most welcome humour, sexuality and gender identity. The setting for this exploration is one of iconic machismo, the Western. But the playwright also co-directs; there are two significant flaws in the production and both could be seen to stem from this decision. But more of these later, the production has many positives.

The play’s world is a bar in the Wild West, two rules – No Guns No Politics. The men have disappeared for a year, and are presumed dead. Actually, there is one man left, Roger (his name is not insignificant!) the drink sodden sheriff; Roger is created with superb comedic commitment by Paul Hunter. Into this world comes the handsome wanted man, Jack; he turns out to be wanted in more ways than one. He also turns out to be not a biological he.

Josephine’s writing is fast and witty. It sparkles, particularly in the first half with many twists and turns. Jack and the bar owner’s wife, Miss Lillian, fall in love. Their love scene, in a tub of water, is beautifully and wittily staged.

Vinnie Heaven’s Jack is physically and vocally perfectly created, though the performance as a whole is marred by being under energised. Sophie Melville’s Miss Lillian is given full value, and the changes in tone and emotional value merge into a satisfying whole.

The opening scenes are potentially marvellous, pacey and farcelike. Their impact is reduced, though; there is too much shouting and lack of vocal clarity. The playwright-director, I fear, knows the words too well and is not hearing them afresh each time.

As the play approaches the first half climax in an hilarious frenzy of liberation the men return; blackout. Great.

However, the playwright loses command of form in the second half as we enter a lengthy, po-faced debate of the main themes and, although it does highlight the too often overlooked question ‘what is political?, it is too obvious, and slows the play’s momentum. The play’s discussion comes to the fore and the comedy is obscured. Shame. The play does find its footing again, thankfully, though it never returns to its first half sure footedness.

Nevertheless, this is a strong example of drama exploring contemporary issues in a delightfully quirky way. The drama is greatly supported by terrific musical interludes, composed and arranged by Jim Fortune.

Cast

Jack - Vinnie Heaven

Miss Lillian - Sophie Melville

Sally Ann - Emma Pallant

Mary - Bridgette Amofah

Kid - Robert Addi

Jayne - Lucy McCormick

Sheriff Roger Jones - Paul Hunter

Frank/Tommy - Shaun Dingwell

George - Michael Elcock

John - Colm Gormley

James - Julian Moore-Cook

Charley Parkhurst - LJ Parkinson

Creatives

Directors - Charlie Josephine/Sean Holmes

Designer - Grace Smart

Lighting - Simeon Miller

Composer - Jim Fortune

Music Director - Gemma Storr