Review: The Bang Gang, Riverside Studios

Imagine a gangster film, in a 1945 film noir setting, with some added silent film-style screen titles, but in the format of a parody. Then you have The Bang Gang, the tale of a Sicilian man, Don Lambrini (Fred Trenholme), who dreams of a life in New York, but accidentally boards a ship to Blackpool, England. In Blackpool, Don Lambrini conducts a series of crimes which inevitably result in a hilarious tale consisting of heists and high stakes.

The Bang Gang is played out in close proximity to gangster films with scenes that are reminiscent of ‘The Godfather’ I and II, ‘Scarface’ and ‘Goodfellas’. When Don Lambrini dies, his legacy is left to his son Al Dente (Hannah Johnson) much to the jealousy of Lambrini’s other son Jack Lambrini (Fabian Bevan), who doesn’t think Al Dente is the right man for the job of making sure that Lambrini’s gang stays ahead of a rival gang led by the notorious Fray Bentos (Fred Trenholme). With such an outrageous tale, the acting did not disappoint; the audience was utterly interested and thoroughly engaged with jokes about the ‘metaphoric language of gangsters,’ and engaging with members of the audience. There were areas of the show where the actors improvised, which was great fun to watch. Along with the acting, the lighting and stage had an ambience reminiscent of film noir of the 1950’s, which helped add to the atmosphere.

As funny as The Bang Gang is, the writing could be improved. While there is a storyline at the centre, the writing is scattered and doesn’t blend well with the parody itself. There are moments where jokes are thrown in, but they don’t really add anything to the flow of the story. For instance, there is a joke involving Mr Whippy ice cream that is funny, but could have been better articulated into the script.

Tinned Laughter‘s aim is to pay homage to the ‘Gangster Films’ genre, something they succeed in doing, with a plenitude of madcap jokes and slapstick laughs. The humour in The Bang Gang is more reminiscent to that of the Keystone Cops where everything is all over the place and chaotic, and if that is the type of humour that you prefer, then The Bang Gang may be just the show for you. 

Written by Hughie Shepard-Cross
Directed by Auguste Voulton
Produced by Tinned Laughter

The Bang Gang plays at Riverside Studios until Sunday 2 November.