Michael Cox reviews the Tron's Stones in his Pockets.
Anyone who had the good fortune of seeing the Tron’s 2011 panto of Mister Merlin will remember the great villainous double-act of Keith Fleming and Robbie Jack. They not only had a wonderful theatricality about them but beautifully played off of each other to great comedic effect.
So director Andy Arnold’s idea of casting them in the two-hander Stones in his Pockets is rather inspired. The play, about a Hollywood film using locals in rural Ireland as extras in an expensive blockbuster, is an excellent vehicle for two talented actors, and Fleming and Jack really step up to the plate. Each are required to play a large assortment of characters ranging in age, sex and sanity, and it is to the credit of both actors that they not only kept the shenanigans up for the whole two hours but made it very easy to know which character was being played and generated constant laughs.
But as solid as the performances are, it still feels like something important is missing. Marie Jones’ script has the echoes of a great story, one with shades of tragedy and anger, but the concept of two actors playing every role ensures that none of these aspects are given full theatrical life. Arnold’s direction is functional: he lets his two talents run rampant without any forced concepts or staging.
All of which makes for a rather odd evening. As an overall production, Stones in his Pockets is mediocre at best. It feels like a lost opportunity, has no shame in going for the easy laugh and is filled with clichéd moments stamped ‘been there/done that’. But Fleming and Jack are terrific, and in this rain-soaked so-called summer, they give more than a ray of comedic sunshine.
Stones in his Pockets will run at The Tron Theatre, Glasgow between 5 – 21 July ’12.
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