Killer Joe

Chris Smith (Ed Weeks) is running scared, so scared he runs home to his trailer trash pa Ansel (Phil Nichol) begging for cash to help him out of the deadly fix his mom put him in.

Somehow or somewhere he gets the idea to go for his sisters inheritance, his moms insurance money. Only Mom is very much alive and screaming.

Sharla (Lizzy Roper) Chris's step mom is not the dutiful wife she appears to be. Dotty (Charlotte Jo Hanbury) overhears a conversation between step mom Sharla and her lover.

Enter cop Joe Cooper (Tony Law) lawman by day with a very lucrative sideline in murder. Once again the thorny subject of money raises its ugly head, cash up front. Arriving at the trailer early Joe meets Dotty a young virgin whose simplicity matches her name.

The subject matter of this play is dark and depressing spiraling ever downwards with a sudden unexpected sting in the tail.

Not perhaps as powerful as 'The Zoo Story' but the writing and direction is as gritty and thought provoking, exploring and exposing the depths of human depravity, in a basic, earthy way. The performers are all superb making each character totally believable if mostly despicable.

The twist in the tale?  The play reaches a sudden happy ending. Or does it?

*****

S

Fringe Programme Page No

201

Company

Pleasance Comedians Theatre Company 

Venue Name and Number

Pleasance Beyond V 33

Dates and Times

4 to 27 August (not 15 )

Comedy 2007

Music 2007

Others 2007

Theatre 2007

Musicals 2007

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