Stags, by Cameron Corcoran, marks my return to live theatre after Covid 19 closed London's theatre industry in March 2020. It was certainly a good return.
Set in the home of a working class family in Dublin, Ireland, we explore the relationship between two estranged brothers, their absent mother, and their father who sits dead in his armchair. Maybe not everyone's choice for a 'Welcome back to live theatre after a year' kind of show, but then I'm not everyone.
The show is an Off Main Stage production, who are a theatre company consisting of writers, directors and actors who are "committed to bring real life stories to the stage" and who "aim to give a voice to issues that are not given their due in todays world". The theatre, Network Theatre, is a little hidden gem in London. And i mean hidden. Down what can only be described as a service road/tunnel inside Waterloo Station, its a theatre that not many avid London theatre goers even know exists. With a usual capacity of around 70 (currently due to Covid restrictions reduced to a maximum capacity of just 50%) it is a really intimate space. Perfect for a show such as Stags, where as an audience we are just a fly on the wall.
The set is simple and sparse. Black walls and a black floor, with a few well positioned props and set pieces to imply the location. I'm not the biggest fan of such sets, however for such a small theatre it is perfect and allowed the story to shine through. With deep seated hatred, resentment and jealousy, this pressure-cooker of a play has comedic moments that perfectly break the harsh realities of what's unfolding in front of us.
The two brothers have an uneasy relationship. They share parents and they were both mentally and physically abused by their father. That's where their similarities end. One, Tony, has become a teacher and made something of his life. The other, Conn, has just been released from prison after seven years. Conn hates him for leaving him alone with their father. He is also of the belief that Tony thinks himself better than and above him. That he resents his upbringing and doesn't acknowledge where he comes from. This is undoubtedly true, though one can never truly forget and/or be unaffected by ones upbringing and childhood experiences. This becomes all to clear in the plays final moments.
A gritty portrayal of the Irish working class, of broken family dynamics and of relationships. At around an hour in length, this is a brilliant way to reintroduce yourself back into live theatre after their Covid closure.
Stags is running at the Network Theatre until May 22nd
For more information, or to book tickets, please click here.
