REVIEW: Stones in his Pockets at Worthing's Connaught Theatre

IT WAS a real treat to see something a bit different at the Connaught, especially a play that was as inspiring as Stones in his Pockets.

Set in Ireland, Marie Jones' award-winning comedy tells the story of Hollywood movie makers descending on a small village and the effect it has on the people who live there.

The village is full of poor farm workers for whom the chance to earn 40 a day as a film extra is irresistible.

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Many of them have big dreams of getting into films, while one, Old Mickey, is already locally famous for being the only surviving extra from The Quiet Man.

Central to the story are Charlie Conlon, played by David Caves, and Jake Quinn, played by Jack Reynolds.

When they meet the crew and stars, things start to change, especially when Hollywood icon Caroline Giovanni causes a stir as she flirts with Jake.

And it is Caroline who is partly blamed for the death of local lad Sean Harkin, who kills himself after failing to get a part in the play and being barred from his own pub after a run in with the star.

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The genius of the play is that Caves and Quinn play not only Charlie and Jake but every other character involved.

From the ditzy assistant Ashley to Caroline herself, as well as her body guard, the pair pull off a marvellous display of their acting talents.

They change very quickly from one to the other and after a short initial confusion, it doesn't take long to recognise which is which, both from the accent and the manner.

The highlight is the brilliant jig, in which they manage to dance their way through each of the characters.

And each gets their bow at the end!

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