COPS
Southwark Playhouse
15th Jan to 1st Feb 2020

“Chicago. 1957. Four cops, different ages, classes and races, mired in duplicity and mutual suspicion, have to grab a gangster turned state witness before the Mob do.

Outside their office the world is changing. The Civil Rights movement. Race riots. Mass consumerism. Rock ‘n’ Roll. Elvis has arrived! Sex is everywhere…

As much comedy as it is drama, with wonderfully written characters, razor-sharp, witty banter, authentic spiky dialogue, and explosive scenes of emotional power and soul-baring poignancy, COPS examines masculinity and racism whilst offering a touching message about how love conquers all and blood being thicker than water.”

Review by Richard Lambert, 3 Stars

Walking past the props table to get into the theatre one can see the cop walkie-talkie, coffee and bags of donuts. The tone is set for the play set in Chicago in the 1950s.

Inside are 4 desks and a very realistic room on an upper level of a police station. With admin staff down below and the telephone conversations that ensue it’s clear that this is an inefficient dysfunctional operation.

The Set, Lighting, Costumes and Props are all top notch.

Unfortunately though, the banter between the police officers is also realistic and every prejudicial idea you may have about how they would have talked to each other will be confirmed. There were moments when I was a little uncomfortable at what was said.

The incessant Sound effects are way too loud – the street sounds feel like they’re in the room with you.

But the main problem with the play is that it lacks a gripping story, the story is wafer thin. A very robust cast do their very best to add some zest but at the end of the day, it’s a high quality production but not quite interesting enough.

Photo Credit Robert Day

Cast:

Roger Alborough was Andy Capp in ‘Andy Capp the Musical’ at the Finborough Theatre and The Professor, ‘The Lesson’, The Hope Theatre.

Jack Flammiger is a recent BA (Hons) RADA graduate, and is making his professional debut in COPS.

Daniel Francis had the lead role in ‘The Brothers Size’ and ‘Blackta’ at The Young Vic and ‘Off The Endz’ at the Royal Court.

James Sobol Kelly was in ‘The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable’, ‘Faust’ and ‘The Masque of the Red Death, all produced by Punchdrunk/National Theatre. He also played Shylock in ‘The Merchant of Venice’ and Gloucester in ‘King Lear’ for Guildford Shakespeare Company.

Creative Team:

Writer Tony Tortora
Director & Dramaturg Andy Jordan
Set & Costume Designer Anthony Lamble
Composer & Sound Designer Simon Slater
Lighting Designer Robbie Butler
Assistant Director/Assistant Producer Timothy Trimingham Lee

Produced by Andy Jordan Productions Ltd and Pluto Productions Ltd.

Ticket Information

Southwark Playhouse
77-85 Newington Causeway
London
SE1 6BD

15 January – 1 February 2020
Monday -Saturday at 8pm
Tuesday & Saturday at 3.30pm
Price £22 | £18 concessions
All previews £14

Box office:
020 7407 0234

or online
www.southwarkplayhouse.co.uk

Recommended for ages 15+

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