Jerusalem is a raucous, provocative play that tells of a modern, mythic English hero, Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron. During the course of the play Johnny tells tales, gets drunk, dodges the authorities and both charms and infuriates those he meets. Though he may be harried, bloodied and bruised, Johnny continues his stand against the hypocrisy of modern suburban life.
A play with a warning of adult themes, very strong language and an estimated 11pm finish didn’t sound like a lot of fun. How wrong could I be? Maybe ‘fun’ is overstating it, but Harborough Theatre’s latest offering, Jerusalem, was a revelation.
Harborough audiences are used to director Neil Lovegrove’s challenging play choices, and this, by Jez Butterworth, was one.
Central character is antihero caravan dweller Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron, whose illegal woodland campsite provides youngsters space for drugs, alcohol and dubious goings-on in general. But a housing estate is planned and he faces eviction.
Mark Bodicoat is a veritable tour de force and perfectly cast as the magnetic Byron – revolting yet lovable, a liar yet credible. His foul-mouthed acolytes are recovering after a St George’s Day party fuelled by a variety of substances, courtesy of their host. They’re preparing to protest against council plans.
Characterisations among the 14 cast members were impressive. Of particular note was Luke Clarke as Ginger, who dares to question Byron’s stories, Dan Hands as Lee, about to emigrate to Australia, and Dan Masters as Davey. Tim Hands gave light relief as a bonkers professor and Caitlin Mottram fizzed as Dawn, Byron’s ex-partner. Jez Morris was truly menacing as Troy, suspecting Byron of hiding his daughter. Although after an apparently serious off-stage attack, Byron re-appeared looking rather too fit.
The set looked convincingly sordid and filthy – you could almost smell it.
This excellent cast also included Emma Beckett, Abigail Sterland, Isla Rogers, Tom Mackenzie, Kay Carpenter, Kevin Norris and Stanley Kennerdell.
— Edited from Gordon Birch’s review in the Harborough Mail
Johnny ‘Rooster’ Byron – Mark Bodicoat
Ginger – Luke Clarke
Lee – Dan Hands
Davey – Dan Masters
Pea – Emma Beckett
Tanya – Abigail Sterland
Phaedra – Isla Rogers
Professor – Tim Hands
Wesley – Tom Mackenzie
Dawn – Caitlin Mottram
Troy – Jez Morris
Fawcett – Kay Carpenter
Parsons – Kevin Norris
Marky – Stanley Kennerdell
Photography by Andy Wallace
Directed by Neil Lovegrove
An amateur production by arrangement with Nick Hern Books