In the technicolour confines of the slab room of A. F. Stobo & Co. Carpet Factory in Paisley, young boys have to grow up fast. Strutting adolescent double act Phil and Spanky are passing the time with an endless verbal tug o’ war and merciless ribbing of their workmates and boss. But even the distractions of the annual staff dance, the monthly pay packet or the unattainable Lucille can’t stop Phil from dreaming of becoming an artist. Read more …
John Byrne’s funny and poignant play paints a vivid picture of the tough, rebellious, working-class culture of 1950s industrial Scotland. The original creators revive this landmark theatre show for the stage in a major new production.
It’s good, sometimes very good, but with the talent involved, The Slab Boys should be far more rewarding than it currently is.
For all the production’s laughter and fast-paced badinage, it’s short of the urgency that would make it irresistible.
By the time it reaches Edinburgh next month, this may be the greatest Slab Boys ever seen; but at the moment, despite its occasional brilliance, it misses that mark in ways that seem unnecessary, and therefore all the more frustrating.
Verdict: An old Scottish favourite played for the laughs.
Away from the classic script, the production lags.
There are a welter of everyday tragedies at play here, which both define and drive those caught in the crossfire of the ordinary madness around them.
A solid and satisfying production with plenty of laugh-out loud humour, but lacking that certain something that makes for brilliance.
The solid script still shines through in an otherwise sturdy production, but this show suffers from a fatal miscasting.
For all of its spirited sense of time and place, it takes a while to hit its groove.
Given Hayman Sr’s long and illustrious association with the play, it is a painful irony that his latest production should founder on the casting of his son.
It’s nearly 40 years since its first performance, but John Byrne’s Slab Boys still has its finger on the pulse and doesn’t miss a beat.
For some in the audience, the performance undoubtedly reacquainted them with an old friend; but few in the audience will have felt short-changed by the more complex resonances it has to offer.
Nagging doubts aside, this is a largely compelling production of a much-loved play and can be counted as a great success in many ways.
Although from time to time the play’s rhythm falters, momentum is restored by the supporting performances.
The Slab Boys Revived
John Byrne and David Hayman--Reviving The Slab Boys
Revival of John Byrne's The Slab Boys marks the Citizens Theatre's 70th anniversary
The Slab Boys are back: John Byrne and David Hayman mix some fresh mayhem
Citizens' Theatre, Glasgow from Thursday February 12, 2015, until Saturday March 7, 2015. More info: www.citz.co.uk
King's Theatre, Edinburgh from Tuesday March 10, 2015, until Saturday March 14, 2015. More info: http://www.edtheatres.com/kings
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