The comedy world has been a convenient entry point for writing about the human condition for a long time, from John Osborne's The Entertainer through to Trevor Griffiths' Comedians to Terry Johnson's Dead Funny and beyond. The latest contribution to this sub-genre is Robin Hooper’s Broken Lad, which explores masculinity and relationships through the prism of stand-up. Hooper is not primarily a comedy writer though. He did play Malcolm in The Office, but feels out of his comfort zone with this.
Phil (Patrick Brennan) is a middle-aged comic who has seen better days and is about to attempt a comeback with a charity gig in a pub. He is currently managerless, homeless and looking for a break. Not just in comedy, but in life. The setting is the dank dressing room, complete with peeling wallpaper and greasy window (I think the police sirens were genuine – this is a pop-up tent venue, thick coats are advisable).
Phil is being helped by old friend Ned (Adrian McLoughlin) who is kind and supportive when not busy looking for his next online hook-up or finding Boris Johnson sexy (“scrotum like a rucksack”). Josh (Dave Perry), Phil’s son, is also there, planning his own stand-up debut. They are joined by Josh’s girlfriend Ria (Yasmin Paige) and Phil’s ex, Liz (Carolyn Backhouse).
The action moves slowly on the single set as things build towards Phil’s performance. This isn’t particularly a comedy. Or even a drama about comedy. It is more about the way the different characters, particularly the men, interact. Can they move on and overcome the past? Will secrets and lies emerge that might tear them apart forever?
When it does come to Phil’s performance it takes place offstage, viewed through the window. It is never easy to portray stand-up onstage in a drama and this is a pretty good option, even if Phil is not quite like any stand-up I’ve seen. He has some of the rhythms and physicality of a mainstream comic but, while Patrick Brennan is clearly a good actor he is not entirely convincing as an actual stand-up. Then again, maybe that's intentional and that's why his career is on the slide.
It is the drama rather than the humour about that binds Hooper's play together. Phil is a man on the edge, desperately clinging on by his fingernails hoping for one final shot at greatness. Is this his last chance to get back in the saddle? Will he make it? You might not laugh at Phil but you do end up caring about him a little bit.
Until November 6. Buy tickets here.
