Disco Pigs, Alphabetti Newcastle Review

Disco Pigs is a fast paced and bleak look at the lives of two teen Irish misfits. A play that does not hold back with the harsh reality of growing up in a city of unemployment, violence and late night culture.  If you take 'The Young Offenders' and mix it up in a theatrical mixing bowl with 'Natural Born Killers' you’d be somewhere close to Enda Walsh’s breakthrough hit. A hit play that was first performed by Corcadorca Theatre Company at the Triskel Arts Centre, Cork, in September 1996 and helped launch the career of Cillian Murphy.

The story centers around Pig, played by Ben Gettins and Runt, played by Amy McAllister as two teenagers who live and survive in Cork, or “Pork Sity”, as the two like to call it. Born within seconds of each other, though to different parents, the pair grow up like brother and sister. Although, an unspoken love is ever present and risking their tight bond. A love that doesn’t hold the sweet tender notes of Romeo and Juliet, but does have its own gritty charm...and just like those famous ‘Star-cross’d Lovers’, these too, are to be surrounded by violence.

Gettins as Pig , grabs onto the role with a dark childlike energy,  that puts the audience on edge. You don’t know whether he will crack a childish joke, followed by a little jig, or glass you with a pint, then spit in your face. McAllister as Runt holds the role with a bit more sturdiness, less unpredictability, but with a playful charm. Both actors hit the ground running from the off, rarely giving the audience a chance to breathe.  

The script offers plenty of tense dramatic moments, that are often broken by pops of 'dark humour giggles'.  However, with the plays Cork dialect, mixed with Pig and Runts own urban slang, and the very deliberate use of stylistic dialogue rhythms, it is hard to follow at times. Forcing you as the audience to really hone in and focus on every word said. 

Director Ali Prichard, has made smart decisions in regards to the show’s set and movement. With dialogue that is sometimes hard to follow, he has kept the direction simple and strong. That way the audience knows where these characters are at all times and the action flows with ease. This allows script and direction to work with each other and not against.

Disco Pigs is a stylistic piece that packs a dark punch. It's running at Alphabetti until 9th March 2024

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆