Rural Irish tragicomedy comes to Wokingham Theatre
STONES In His Pockets, what sort of title is that? “A bit nondescript, isn’t it? Doesn’t tell you anything.” So says one of the characters in this play.
How wrong can one be?
Stones In His Pockets is anything but nondescript.
It’s a fast moving rollercoaster of a play filled with laughs, rural intrigue, film set shenanigans, and cows.
Written by Marie Jones in
1996, the tragicomedy is set in a small Irish village, somewhere in County Kerry.
A huge Hollywood epic is being filmed there, and along with many other locals, friends Jake and Charlie are employed as extras on the set. Director Fiona Rogers explains: “When a huge juggernaut of a film comes to a small Irish village, the community is forced to rub shoulders with big Hollywood giants.
“And when two wildly different worlds are thrown together, it can lead to some hilarious antics.”
The play, currently being performed at Wokingham Theatre, primarily follows the joys and woes of Jake and Charlie.
“You can’t help but fall in love with these two,” Fiona says.
“The way their friendship develops is comedy magic.”
But the play features a host of other characters too, all of whom lend charm and vitality to the play.
There are around 15 of them, including a disaffected youth, a Hollywood star, an ancient villager, and a film director.
The fact that every single one is played by a cast of just two makes this a remarkable artistic feat for actors Lloyd White and Dave Wood.
“The multiple characterizations, and the speed at which you have to transition from one to another are what make this play so interesting, and such hard work,” says Lloyd.
“The audience has to know instantly who we are portraying through our body language and voices.”
“It’s an emotional rollercoaster,”agrees Dave.
“One minute we can be laughing and the next we are crying.”
“And then there’s the Irish dancing,” he laughs..
That’s been quite a challenge too. “We’re not classically trained Irish dancers, but we’ve had to learn,” says Lloyd, with a grin.
Behind the laughter and the dancing, Stones In His Pockets explores the harsh reality that while the film costs millions of dollars to make, the village has not two stones to rub together.
A film’s movie makers are capable of trampling not just fields, but communities too, in the race to grab a box office blockbuster.
“It’s a wonderful, funny, clever play,” says Rogers.
And I really must thank my lovely Irish mother-in-law, Joan, for introducing me to it.
“She bought us tickets to see the play in County Kerry.
“Straight away I fell in love with it and couldn’t wait for the opportunity to direct it.
“I think people will be moved and fascinated as Lloyd and Dave create a whole community of people before their eyes.”
Fiona was due to direct the play in 2020 but the pandemic meant that everything was put on hold.
“Then, even after Covid, we had problems getting a licence to perform because the play was touring professionally, and amateur rights were temporarily removed.
“It feels like a very long time since we first started working together, but we’re thrilled finally to be here,” she says..
Audiences can see Stones In His Pockets at Wokingham Theatre, Twyford Road, Wokingham.
The play runs from
Wednesday, June 8 through to Saturday, June 18 with the exception of Sunday, June 12.
Performances start at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £14.
■ For tickets and information visit: www.wokinghamtheatre.org.uk or call the box office on: 0118 978 5363.