Review: The Sociable Plover, Old Red Lion Theatre

The revival of comedy thriller The Sociable Plover feels a labour of love by Old Red Lion Theatre and Medium Rare’s Artistic Director Jack Robertson. Tim Whitnall’s play originally premiered in this black box space twenty years ago, and yet, even given those two decades now gone by, this revival remains very true to the original. There’s no attempt to modernise, even making it clear early on that it is very much still 2005. It’s an artistic decision that feels fully justified, allowing the play to flow in the way that was clearly always intended.

But that doesn’t mean director Christa Harris doesn’t have fun with the original text. From the off, the humour is obvious. Robertson’s Roy enters the birdwatching hide on the marshes and fastidiously lays his claim to it, cleaning up, laying out his basic belongings and making it very clear that he is the personification of a man obsessed with his hobby. With just a few tuts of disappointment and gasps of disgust, Robertson instantly has the audience onside, perfectly setting the tone – and our prejudices for what is to come. Yes, we may see Roy as a little odd and yes, maybe he’d be a little boring if you got stuck in conversation with him, but he is clearly honest, trustworthy and harmless.

The arrival of Calum Lill’s Dave throws Roy’s plans for the day into disarray though, especially as Dave is clearly not the type of person Roy would ever associate with. The word ‘chav’ is mentioned under bated breath. It again simply reinforces our opinions of just who and what these two are, as they slowly circle around, wary of each other for their own prejudiced reasons.

This two-hander is simply a delight to watch. The script zings along, keeping us on our toes trying to guess quite why Dave has appeared suited and booted in the middle of the marshes; is he running away from something or someone? It’s easy to know he has a dark secret to hide. And we wonder whether Roy is safe in his presence. Robertson and Lill’s performances are spot on, the pair adding plenty of flesh to their characters; Robertson is full of middle-class aloofness and social stiffness unless talking about his birds, and a wonderful contrast to Lill’s ladishness.

Then there is Jack Valentine’s set, which takes us right into the heart of a remote hide on the marshes with its netting and simple wooden tables. It is a work of wonder in both its apparent simplicity (which I suspect was not the case to install!) and total effectiveness. As they look out, you believe the two men are really seeing the birds that Roy so excitedly describes. Everything is brought together by Harris’ direction, turning what could be a rather static play into one full of energy, even when the pair might only be sitting together eating paste sandwiches!

As the plot twists and turns, sending us off in very wrong directions, it’s clear nothing is quite what it seems. And as things come to their dramatic head, Benedict Esdale‘s sound and lighting design expands the world of the hide further out into the marshes.

This might be a twenty-year-old play, but it’s brought wonderfully to life in this new production. Under Robertson’s leadership, Old Red Lion Theatre is fast becoming a great place to catch a fun little thriller or horror show, and The Sociable Plover is absolutely another one to add to their successes.

Written by Tim Whitnall
Directed by Christa Harris
Produced by Medium Rare
Sound and light design by Benedict Esdale
Set design by Jack Valentine

The Sociable Plover plays at Old Red Lion Theatre until Saturday 24 May.