Bouncers

by John Godber

Bouncers

Genres: Plays, Theatre

Paperback

Published January 1, 1987

About the author

John Harry Godber is an English dramatist, known mainly for his observational comedies.

Reviews

[Aaron Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm usually a huge John Godber fan. I loved 'happy families', but this didn't deliver much in the way of story. It was definitely more character driven. The characters are all brilliantly written though. It just bored me a bit and it hasn't aged well. (Little bit homophobic)

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was asked to perform as Carol in Shakers, so I read both the plays to get a feel of them.
On paper, some of the dialogue seems strange or even out of place as if the plays were devised then written down later.
However, this does not detract from the excellence of these plays. While "Bouncers" is a more obviously funny play, "Shakers" is more subtle and intelligent. While working well as individual comedies, when performed/read back to back (as is intended) the plays compliment each other very well.
I think what makes "Bouncers and Shakers" very successful plays is that Godber and Thornton manage to use satire and mock society, regardless of social standing.
While they are predominantly comedies, both plays provide moments of sadness, thoughtfulness, and tenderness, all of which create wonderfully developed characters in this excellent modern play.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, just as you'd expect from John Godber

[CrownOfThorns · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doing this for my gcse is one of the most thoroughly unhappy experiences I have had in my life. I'm not happy, John.

[Louis Chadburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very strong play.
Would love to do some of this physically.
Take another look at Lucky Eric’s 4 speeches.

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading this again and again for the past three months and finally perform it on stage this week. Although it seems a bit strange reading it initially, it works very well when solidified on stage. A funny play, made more so by the fact that it's now looking back at a time period some 25 years ago. Oh, the 80s.... :-D

[Patrick Neylan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent period piece, with vignettes and sketches as four actors play the bouncers and the punters, both men and women. The only let-down is that it doesn't go anywhere: there's no real story and no great revelation about either the characters or the wider human condition. It's a big challenge for actors, but an excellent night's entertainment if they pull it off.

[Dave Clapper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Flat out, the most fun I've ever had in a scripted play.

[Paul Curd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good performance piece for an all-male cast,

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Go and see it performed if you can. A fast moving, funny play with moments of poignance when Lucky Eric delivers his speeches. 80s nightclub nostalgia in all its grim glory.