Scuttlers, Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 5th Feb-7th March 2015
Inspired by the gangland style riots that disturbed the streets of Manchester back in 2011, Rona Munro decided to go further back in time to investigate some of their precursors. Focusing on the areas of Ancoats and the Northern Quarter that took the brunt of the more recent battering, she put together Scuttlers, a very modern piece of theatre that focuses on the gang warfare that dominated these areas back in 1885, when workers involved in the Industrial Revolution found conflict easy to come by in their close and cramped quarters. The term ‘Scuttlers’ is sometimes misunderstood. Many believe it to be the name of one particular gang, when it actually refers to the various urban outfits formed mainly by young mill workers.
The play focuses on the tensions between two such gangs, as well as the issues that exist inside one of them. The Bengal Tigers take up the heart of the narrative, with the feisty Theresa (Rona Morison), the brutal but intelligent Sean (Bryan Parry), and the ambitious Jimmy (Dan Parr) all playing a part in their leadership. Theresa takes the younger tigers under her wing, while Sean tries to guide the whole gang into their oncoming war with at least a modicum of caution. Jimmy, though, is perhaps more representative of the ‘gangsters’ involved in 2011’s riots. He sees no need to hold back in their battle with the boys of the other side of the bridge, and challenges Sean’s leadership. He is more gung-ho. More cocky. Less likely to take a few seconds to think. Their confrontation is one of the most satisfying scenes in the show.
While these flashpoints are bubbling along at the centre of the Bengal Tigers, a calmer and more family orientated tale is taking centre stage among the other set of Scuttlers. Joe (Tachia Newell) is a soldier returning from larger battles abroad. Susan (Anna Krippa) has given birth to his baby in his absence. Further linking the couple is George (Kieran Urquhart), Susan’s brother. Finding himself thrust into the position of leading the Bengal Tiger’s main rivals, George is desperate for Joe’s help. But allowing George to fight would break Joe’s promise to Susan, and potentially ruin his chance to be a father to his child.
One further character is integral to everything that eventually erupts in Scuttlers. Thomas (David Judge) has run away from Chorlton to take what he believes is his rightful place as the King of Ancoats. His attraction to Theresa will drive much of the action in the play, and his attempts to prove himself with be the catalyst to a devastating yet perfectly pitched climax.
There’s an awful lot going on in what is actually a pretty short play, and at times there are concerns that the multitude of strands will lead to something not wholly coherent. But that never really happens. If you were being harsh, you might suggest that the scenes focusing on newly arrived Tiger Margaret (Caitriona Ennis) slow the pace and dull the tension slightly, but that shouldn’t take away from the fact that she performs her role brilliantly.
And as the play rushes to its crescendo in the second half, the reason for the many plotlines does become clear. A long anticipated battle results in devastation for almost every member of the two warring factions, demonstrating the overall sense that those at the heart of such oppositions often didn’t think about the swift and total wreckage their behaviour created. Until it was too late. This point becomes all the more apparent as the final segment cleverly links the nineteenth century story with its modern day counterpart.
All of this drama takes place in a production that is atmospheric, original, and exciting. With smoke in the room, extras that add superbly to the sense of time and place, and music from the wonderful Denis Jones, audiences will find themselves captivated by a unique and daring presentation. Frantic Assembly, who have brought their wonderful versions of Othello and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time to Manchester in recent months, again do an impressive job of directing the movement. The scenes in which the gangs face off, and those in which we see the Bengal Tigers at work in the factory, are beautifully put together. They manage to bring a sense of two huge gangs squaring up into a space that is only really big enough for twenty-odd people.
Credit must also go to the actors for making this seem so authentic. Morison and Judge are perhaps the show-stealers, with Theresa’s mix of ferocity and emotion making her a compelling character, while Thomas is played with a cheeky charm that only certain actors could portray. But the whole cast should be proud of their performances. There was a real energy among them, making this era-spanning production stand out as something quite special.
Fran Slater