Recently, I went to see Jez Butterworth's Mojo at the Harold Pinter Theatre near Leicester Square.
Before I had even bought the tickets (*cough* persuaded my dear mother to buy tickets *cough*) I knew that I was going to like this play a lot.
To be honest, even when I sat in my seat I didn't really know what the production was going to be about about. But just look at that cast! So many major names that made stars swim in front of my eyes. The fact that my favourite actor was one of those names (Ben Whishaw - don't tell me you haven't heard of him) was also a relatively high factor in my wish to see Mojo.
As I sat in the stalls four rows from the front (Imelda Staunton and Jim Carter were about five rows behind us - just saying) I could barely contain my excitement.
Then the curtain lifted and the onslaught of bad language, murder, drugs and cheesy Rock'n'Roll moves began. It was divine.
The play is set in a seedy club in Soho in 1958. The big boss (and father of one of the employees) has died in very suspicious circumstances (let's just say he ended up in two dustbins). The play follows five main characters who all work at the club and how they cope (or don't cope as the case may be) with the situation they find themselves in. As the mystery unfolds, we find out more and more about each uniquely outrageous character.
The play is set in a seedy club in Soho in 1958. The big boss (and father of one of the employees) has died in very suspicious circumstances (let's just say he ended up in two dustbins). The play follows five main characters who all work at the club and how they cope (or don't cope as the case may be) with the situation they find themselves in. As the mystery unfolds, we find out more and more about each uniquely outrageous character.
None of the star-studded cast disappointed. Even Ron Weasley (I'm sorry, Rupert Grint) impressed in his theatre debut. Together with Daniel Mays (Mr Biggs to ITV viewers) Grint had the audience in stitches with a constant reel of hilarious dialogue.
Ben Whishaw (did I mention I love this guy?) certainly did not disappoint either. Playing the creepy and complex Baby, it was difficult to know whether you wanted to laugh or cry at his performance but, either way, you could not take your eyes off of him. He stole scenes in which other actors were displaying high levels of talent merely by sitting and staring. And who knew that the man can sing?
Add into the mixture golden performances from Brendan Coyle (Mr Bates off Downton Abbey), Colin Morgan (Merlin) and Tom Rhys Harries (no idea either but one to watch). All six actors lit up the stage and pulled you into their crazed world.
The mesmerising acting, witty script and accurate depiction of 1950's Soho made up for the large amount of passive smoking that you have to endure for over two hours.
If you can still get tickets I recommend you buy them RIGHT THIS MOMENT. Don't even put some thought into it. I've seen it and you will like it. Unless your ears are particularly sensitive to the C-word or the F-word. In which case you should probably go to a musical.
http://www.mojotheplay.com/
@MojothePlay
