“Brilliant”, “Moving and engaging”, “Ingenius” – audiences of Tiny Room’s drama Loop have taken to Twitter to sing the praises of Peter Mulligan’s drama about a barman considering his life. We’ve rounded up some of the best tweets – have a look then book your tickets.
Following sell-out runs at the Camden Fringe and the Brewdog in Leicester, theatre company Tiny Room returned to London earlier this month with a new, extended version of Loop. This updating of Peter Mulligan’s play, which runs at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre until 20 January 2019, delves into the relationships of the characters that frequent a pub.
Loop was first staged at the Camden People’s Theatre in August 2018 as part of the Camden Fringe. After its London success, when audiences asked for a longer version to be written, it moved to Leicester where it played this autumn from 26 November – 1 December. This new year production at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre has been developed since the play’s first London outing, with greater depth added to original characters and the addition of new drinkers to the pub.
Written by Mulligan in reaction to his own experiences of working in a bar, Loop focuses on Chris, a barman who can barely get through the day anymore. While closing up the pub, he is on the verge of committing suicide when Steve, a volatile regular, bursts in with demons of his own to contend with. The two of them begin an all-nighter of booze, cocaine and half-baked schemes of self-development to fix their problems. They are joined by other regulars throughout the night.
Mulligan’s play explores depression and particularly male suicide, which is the biggest killer of men between the ages of 18 and 45.
According to the Samaritans, in 2015 almost 5,000 men committed suicide in the UK. The same charity states that men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Among some of the reasons the Samaritans found for male suicide are comparisons with a ‘gold standard’ alpha male, a loss of ‘male ‘ identity and the decline of traditionally male industries.
The situation in which Chris finds himself in Loop reflects that of many men suffering from suicidal thoughts and depression. Being stuck in the same monotonous routine only worsens his condition. When life is stuck in a monotonous, exhausting cycle there’s no easy answer or escape.
Loop stars Keifer Jones, David Richardson, Jaz Cox and Zoey Boyd, who also directs the production. It’s co-produced by Mulligan and Joe Idris-Roberts, who recently took the title role in the National Theatre production of Pinocchio and can currently be seen playing Albus Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
What’s being said on Twitter?
To say I’m obsessed with #LoopThePlay is an understatement. Well done @TinyRoom_ for making such a moving and engaging piece of theatre 💕
— Freya (@r_dcl_ff_) January 14, 2019
#looptheplay was so brilliant! Congrats @JoeIdrisRoberts @TinyRoom_ 💖
— nathan deane! (@queenndeane) January 12, 2019
There are few shows that leave me lost for words and wanting more. But #LoopThePlay did exactly that. I was deeply moved by the honesty displayed throughout by both the script & the actors. The characters explored on stage are real, flawed humans that I think we can all relate to https://t.co/4BrBQNif5W
— Lucinda Chaplin (@lucinda_chaplin) January 10, 2019
An ingenious show that makes excellent use of it’s own limitations and pulls you in with a powerful delivery. Loop refuses to sugar coat the realities of depression and as such you receive a raw performance that will leave you stunned. #Looptheplay https://t.co/pX2O56dIeH
— amber (@blast_ended) January 9, 2019
This is such a short, sharp, at times funny, at times moving look at mental health and personhood today. Simply staged and thoughtfully acted — it turns preconceptions about success and fulfilment on their head, and leaves you with plenty to consider. #LoopThePlay https://t.co/kku8a28hDW
— Philippa P (@torestoreamends) January 7, 2019
