Barbarians
From: Tuesday, 17th April 2012
To: Saturday, 12 May 2012
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Synopsis
First performed in 1977, Barbarians is set in a period of record highs in youth unemployment, government spending cuts and social unrest. Written by one of the era's most adept chroniclers of social issues, Barbarians tells the story of Paul, Louis and Jan, three lads from Lewisham. Broke, bored and demoralized by the hand that they've been dealt, this trilogy of short plays unflinchingly captures the life of these three young men and their responses to the challenges and choices they face.
Our Review:
20 April 2012
Barbarians, written by Barrie Keeffe in 1977, is a trilogy of plays charting the lives of three young Lewisham lads.
Paul (Thomas Coombes) is a shaven-headed chancer with anger issues. Jan (Jamie Crew) is marginally more optimistic and wants to make his life better but doesn’t quite seem to have the required get-up-and-go. Louis (Tyler Fayose) is intelligent and willing to apply himself, but still struggling to find a break.
The first play, Killing Time, revolves around the lads’ attempt to steal a car for Paul’s cousin. It is the lightest in tone of the three plays with some genuinely funny lines, and sets the foundations well for each of the lads’ characters.
The second play, Abide With Me, sees the lads attempting to get in to Wembley to watch the 1976 FA Cup Final between Manchester United and Southampton. Jan’s Uncle Harold has promised them tickets, but fails to deliver. The lads&#...
Latest User Review
Linda Heiden - 27 April 2012:
When I organised tickets to last night’s performance of Barbarians, a theatre production by the Tooting Arts Club, I wasn’t counting on waking up this morning still immersed in what I’d seen. But cast members Jamie Crew, Tyler Fayose and Thomas Coombes gave extraordinarily moving performances that have stayed with me overnight and as I’ve moved through my day. I can't remember the last time I was quite so enthralled by a theatre production. Barry Keeffe’s superb play, set in the 1970s, has huge resonance today. Every centimetre of the spare space available is used to create the atmosphere, build the characters and develop the story to maximum effect. What could be excruciating is made watchable by the depth of the humanity portrayed by the 3 actors, and the wonderful use of irony and humour throughout. This gem deserves a huge audience, and I hope its run in Tooting is followed by a move to other venues. It’s on through 12 May -- don’t miss it!!...
Creative
Barrie Keeffe (Author)
Tooting Arts Club (Producer)
Bill Buckhurst (Director)
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