Having been shown previously in 2010 and 2011 at the Theatre Royal, one of Merseyside’s favourite theatres, Night Collar returns and sweeps you into the dark heart of Christmas Eve, where a solitary taxi serves as a portal to a city’s hidden rhythms.
Over the course of this performance, playwrights Tony Furlong and Jimmy Power, under the direction of Regal Ents. Chantelle Joseph guide us through skimpily lit streets, brash encounters, and fleeting glimpses of human fragility. What begins as a rollicking comedy gradually reveals an undercurrent of warmth and empathy, ensuring the laughs land with surprising resonance.
Script and Structure
At its core, Night Collar hinges on simplicity: one driver, one cab, and an unpredictable carousel of fares. Each vignette is tightly scripted, delivering punchlines at breakneck speed while subtly weaving in moments of poignant reflection from a cancer sufferer. The structure’s circular nature—returning again and again to the driver’s weary perch—lends a sense of cohesion, turning chaos into a kind of nocturnal poetry.
Standout Performances
The success of the evening rests largely on the driver’s shoulders. Here, actor John May gives a masterclass in controlled reaction, using the subtlest eyebrow raise or exasperated sigh to punctuate the absurdity around him. He anchors every scene, providing emotional ballast for the revolving door of characters. He is superbly supported by Emma Grace Arends, Jenna Sian O’Hara, John Gorman and Sam Jones-Arthur.
The ensemble deserves equal praise for their lightning-fast transformations. Highlights include amongst others:
- A sex worker
- An overburdened Father Christmas with tummy troubles
- A naked member of a stag party left in a wheelie bin
- A drunken couple in the middle of an argument.
Each performer slips into these roles with clear, evocative physicality, minimal costume tweaks and maximal comedic precision.
Direction and Design
Under Chantelle Joseph’s direction, Night Collar never loses momentum. Scene transitions are seamless, the pacing relentless without ever feeling rushed. Her decision to pare back the set to a bare-bones taxi interior and street scene backdrop is inspired. With a suggestion of city lights keeping the audience’s gaze fixed on character interactions rather than scenic spectacle.
Themes and Emotional Resonance
Despite its bawdy humour and regional banter, Night Collar doesn’t shy away from the ache of hidden loneliness. Brief though they are, certain scenes linger: a stranded mother desperate for connection, a passenger who finds fleeting solace in small talk. These quieter beats remind us that beneath every sarcastic quip lies a human longing for recognition.
The play also celebrates the city itself—its rough vernacular, its midnight customs, even its self-deprecating wit. While some jokes lean heavily on Merseyside references, the universal underpinnings of mischief, regret, and camaraderie ensure broader appeal.
Conclusion: A Midnight Journey Worth Taking
Night Collar is unapologetically unpolished theatre, but it’s precisely that raw energy which makes it so captivating. Full of hearty guffaws, sudden silences, and unexpected tenderness, it feels like eavesdropping on the midnight confessions of an entire metropolis. Whether you’re a local seeking familiar fare or a visitor craving unvarnished stories from the underbelly of city life, this lively production at the Theatre Royal is a cab ride you won’t soon forget.
Night Collar
Fri 26 Sept – Sunday 5 Oct
St Helens Theatre Royal
Box Office: 01744 756000
Tickets
