What the Animals Say
★★★★★
Every so often, a fringe production comes along that reminds you just how exhilarating theatre can be when exceptional writing, assured direction and outstanding performances come together. What the Animals Say, David Ireland's debut play, is precisely that: a fiercely funny, unpredictable and at times explosive piece of theatre that punches well above its modest scale.
The premise is deceptively simple. Two former schoolmates, Jimmy and Eddie, find themselves waiting for a ferry from Scotland to Belfast. What begins as an apparently casual reunion soon develops into something far more complicated, as old resentments, political allegiances and personal insecurities begin to surface. To reveal much more would spoil the pleasure of a script that continually wrong-foots its audience.
Ireland's writing is superb. The dialogue is razor-sharp, frequently outrageous and delivered at a pace that barely allows the audience to recover from one laugh before the next arrives. Yet beneath the humour lies something considerably darker, with the shifting relationship between the two men generating moments of genuine unease. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, another twist changes everything.
Matthew Blaney and Robbie Martin are both exceptional. Their chemistry is immediate, their comic timing impeccable and their physicality quite extraordinary. Every movement, gesture and change in posture contributes to the characters and their increasingly volatile relationship. Both actors navigate the transition from comedy to confrontation with remarkable confidence, making even the most explosive moments feel entirely believable.
Harry Burton's direction is equally impressive, making excellent use of the Finborough's intimate space. Alex Marker's inventive staging is deceptively economical, with a particularly effective transformation that demonstrates how much can be achieved through imagination rather than elaborate production values. The physical action is superbly choreographed, adding another dimension to an already compelling production.
What makes What the Animals Say so successful is its refusal to settle into a predictable rhythm. It is funny, uncomfortable, occasionally shocking and constantly surprising, yet never loses its grip on the audience.
A terrific piece of writing, brilliantly performed and imaginatively staged. This is fringe theatre at its very best, and an absolute joy to watch.
Finborough Theatre
29 September - 24 October 2026
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