The Debt Collector (South Shields)

The Customs House, South Shields

The Debt Collectors written and directed by John Godber is set backstage at a theatre where the two debt collectors (Rob Hudson and William Ilkley) have arrived to recover outstanding money.

Being amongst the props and scenery allows them the opportunity to reflect on their failed careers as actors.

With the discarded items being brought in to the story and the two actors playing some of the characters they meet along the way, we follow their journey from jobbing actors to debt collectors.

Often sad, sometimes funny we watch as these two men change from people fighting to get the same part in a TV advert to having to steal dead peoples property to survive. But the production never grips or maintains your attention as you just cannot connect with either character.