This isn’t a sponsored post.
BrumHour saw A Steady Rain at the invite of The Old Joint Stock.
By Dave Massey x.com/BrumHour
This production contains strong and offensive language including frequent racial slurs.
Review: A Steady Rain at The Old Joint Stock
⭐⭐⭐⭐A dark engrossing play
Directed by Liam Alexandru written by Keith Huff
Denny (Steven Rostance) and Joey (Graham MacDonnell) are two Chicago cops dealing with an apparently tough neighbourhood and the challenges of that area, while they try to manage their own personal issues in the way that they feel is best.
As our only visible characters, Denny and Joey are also our narrators reenacting moments from their lives for our benefit. Denny is the leader of the two and their childhood friendship has now become a dysfunctional adult work relationship where Denny behaves how he likes and Joey deals with the fallout.
Set over two 45 minute acts, this tough to watch story zips along. At many moments, it becomes uncomfortable to watch these well-rounded characters dealing with the blurred boundaries of their job, their home life, and their feelings impacting every person they encounter.
The soundscape is brash and loud and the lighting mimics many things from emergency vehicles to handheld torches picking out spots on the wall. The set is fleshed out with office furniture and used very effectively to add to the soundscape.
Steven Rostance and Graham MacDonnell are excellent and fully embrace the most difficult tones and attitudes in the script, bouncing off each other while they contradict each other’s stories.
A dark and engrossing play, A Steady Rain is at The Old Joint Stock until 19th October. Book tickets here: oldjointstock.co.uk/whats-on/a-steady-rain.
