Bouncers, the light-hearted 90s remix came to Watford’s Pump House this month, bringing entertainment, enjoyment and a whole lot of fun to the stage.
I had the pleasure of watching the final performance and the four actors were truly hilarious. Playing the roles of the bouncers, giggly girls and gruff guys on a rowdy night out. Igniting nostalgia through tunes like Shalamar’s ‘A Night to Remember’ and ‘Set You Free’, by N Trance the play was filled with 90s throwbacks, including homage to the always loved video store.
The switch from bouncers to boys to girls was seamlessly funny, getting great audience reactions. What also stuck out was the before and after of the play, the bouncers were in character amongst the audience adding a real and entertaining element to the show.
However, there was more than just jokes and sexual innuendos, there was a deeper theme through Lucky Eric’s 4 speeches, giving a reflection on the realities and dangers of UK nightlife especially for young women. This added a sweet sentiment to the play bringing depth to the characters of the bouncers. It is easy to say that the boys and girls lacked depth but I believe that is the intent, to reflect the 20-year-old party mindset.
The set and costumes were simple and effective. To differentiate which character they were playing each actor had a zipped-up jacket with a security badge for when they played the bouncers, half-zipped the same jacket as the boys and completely removed the jacket for the girls. I will admit it took me some time to realise these differences, but once I did, I appreciated how clever it was. The set used four metal barrels that had a plethora of functions, from urinals to chairs. They also made good use of the projector, showing different locations including a cab ride home through Watford after a night out.
Encapsulating British nightlife, the play was raunchy and more exciting than expected. The Pump House has once again put on a delightful production, helping arts and culture thrive in Watford.
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