Stones in His Pockets has returned to the stage for its 25th anniversary starting in Cirencester, Salisbury Playhouse from 1st-19th October and moving onto the Octagon Theatre Bolton from 22nd October to November 2nd 2024.
Filming begins in a small village in Jerry, Southern Ireland for a Hollywood film. Views are stunning and the local herd of cows outnumber the residents. Everyone knows each other and many have been cast as extras and paid one hundred euros a day.
Shaun Blaney takes on the main role of Jake Quinn and Gerard McCabe as Charlie Conlon. The duo has an incredibly strong chemistry one of the best I have ever seen on stage. Between themselves they play the entire cast of the production team each character slightly changed in their stance, accent or reverse of their cap. The moves are swift and the flow of the play never falters.
The fourth wall is broken throughout the play as the audience is addressed by the director and assistants as the auditorium becomes the cast of extras, you aren’t asked to perform though. Interactions are funny at times and you’re never quite sure what’s going to be said next.
Anyone familiar with the author Virginia Woolf will immediately understand what the term and title of the play Stones in His Pockets refers to. The film set is rocked by the suicide of a local man which alters the dynamics and future of Charlie and Jake in a positive move forward.
Director, Matthew McElhinney along with the choreographer Fleur Mellor have bought to stage a charming and engaging performance to mark the 25th Anniversary. I highly recommend Stones in His Pockets and it’s one of the few plays I would happily watch again.
The play and performances have so much depth and detail that it needs to be seen to be fully appreciated.
For more information about Stones in His Pockets please visit the link below and if it comes to a venue near you then try and catch it.
Five Stars.
Photo credit Alex Tabrizi.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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