CityLife

For the Love or Money?

By Chris Hannon

FOR The Love or Money? is a script in hand performance (after only three rehearsals) of Gerard Jenkins-Omar’s debut play.

When gangster Jackie Five Thumbs discovers that his wife Casita plans to rob him and elope with her lover he offers her an ultimatum: either she kills her lover and keeps the cash or Jackie will systematically begin blowing up her extended family.

This is an entertaining, hyper real, Martin Amis-inspired world, where the purchasing power of money is explored. It can buy material satisfaction but can it also offer love and freedom?

Of the three performers Murray Taylor stands out, attacking the hoggish character of Jackie with relish.

There is a good ear for comedy and rhythm in the writing and some nice Tarantino-esque dialogue, which leads me to my one concern.

The writer is clearly a film fan and as such has written a screenplay where the action unfolds in ninety second scenes.

Theatre affords the opportunity to develop theme and character gradually and a good deal of cohesion is lost by continually switching time and place.

There is great fun to be had though and surely more to come.

Reviewed: Mon, 06 July, 2009

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