Bouncers was first performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1977. It has changed in form and length over the years to become one the most performed plays in the UK.

By Angie Millard

Photos by Ian Hodgson

Now it is a social document which one of the four Bouncers says represents ‘when women were lasses, men were blokes and nothing was woke’. 

It has been cleverly adapted and Shakers, its sister play, has not survived the passage of time so well.

The cast consists of: Lucky Eric (Frazer Hammill), Judd (Nick Figgis), Ralph (Tom Whittaker) and Les (George Reid) all employed to stand at the door and vet the punters.

Hammill is older and gives shape to the play using four monologues in which he observes life and the behaviour of the young people who frequent the club: Mr Cinders. He would love to protect the girls from the drunks who slobber over and maul them on the dance floor. The other men take a rise out of him and jeer about his ex-wife who comes to the over 25 nights but in truth Eric has seen too much. The men are full of pent up aggression and sexual frustration. Eric is sick of it.

The style of the piece is immensely physical, energetic and well observed as the bouncers become blokes on stag nights, Rugby Club ‘Hooray Henrys’ and girls dancing round their handbags. The director, Jane Thornton, helped to create slick and convincing performances in a well rehearsed ensemble. By the end, one can practically smell the sweat and beer fumes as the punters try to have what they think is a good time.

The audience were squealing with laughter at some of the vulgar representations of men at the urinals and their behaviour on the dance floor. For many people I am sure it was a trip down Memory Lane; an uncomfortable reminder of their youth.

The play is pure entertainment and I have seen it on several occasions but this time I was also aware of the contempt the author seemed to show for the cross section of humanity he examined and I wished he could have put aside his cynicism and shown more joy. 

Bouncers has survived as a theatrical experience which is both well written and truthful. A style of drama which has been much imitated and if not a celebration of a social phenomena, it is certainly hard hitting observation. 

Graham Kirk, as set and lighting designer, created a convincing representation of the tawdry glamour of the ’80s.

For a piece to survive 40+ years it must be something special.

Bouncers is being performed at York Theatre Royal 5 to 6 April 2024.