“…Quite the story, I wonder how it ends…”

The world première of ‘The Gangs of New York’ at the Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre delivers a captivating blend of drama, action, and unexpected humour in this outdoor performance. The show masterfully blends historical drama with high-energy performances, creating an experience that kept the audience on the edge of their seats.   From the outset, the production drew us into its world through clever audience interaction. This approach effectively blurs the line between spectator and participant, making the tumultuous events feel immediate and personal – and is almost an expectation when you watch a show at GPOAT!

John Morrissey (Thompson) and Hellcat Maggie (Kamen) are friends arriving in America from Ireland wishing for a better life.   The story of Morrissey then unfolds: an ambitious immigrant, who rises through the social hierarchy from a feared gang leader to a well-respected politician within a well-told story of love, hate, corruption and power.

Morrisey, played by Oisín Thompson is the roguish protagonist.  The actor’s cheeky charm infuses the character with an irresistible appeal, even as he navigates the treacherous underworld of the Bowery neighbourhood. His performance is standout, and strikes a perfect balance between swagger and vulnerability, making Morrisey a compelling figure to follow through the story’s twists and turns.

Hellcat Maggie is portrayed with fierce intensity by Hanora Kamen.  She emerges as a loveable rogue who stole every scene she was in, and brought to the role a real depth and demonstration of Maggie’s heart of gold, beneath her tough exterior.

The fight scenes are nothing short of spectacular. Meticulously choreographed by Kaitlin Howard, these brawls capture the raw brutality of the era, whilst maintaining a balletic grace. The actors execute these complex sequences with precision, creating moments of breath-taking tension and excitement – particular mention must go to James Sheldon (Bill) and Lucas Button (Lew) whose fight in Act 2 was incredible to watch. 

Bill ‘the Butcher’ Poole’s relationship with his mother Lize (Joanne Howarth) provides an emotional anchor to the tale. Their scenes together reveal a tenderness that contrasts sharply with the violence of the outside world.   The actors portraying Bill and Lize share a palpable chemistry, bringing authenticity to their complex mother-son dynamic. Their moments of vulnerability and connection add depth to Bill’s character, making him loveable and understood than just another tough guy in his violent world.

Perhaps the production’s most impressive feat is a range of stunning tonal shifts that occur at various points throughout the show. A joyous Irish jig, full of life and celebration, seamlessly transitions into a sombre funeral cortège, and a moment of tenderness in secret is suddenly shifted into a bare-knuckle boxing match. These segues are executed flawlessly, and encapsulate the precarious nature of life in this violent world.  They showcase the production’s ability to evoke a wide range of emotions, and John Young has done this exceptionally well.

The comedy scenes involving Lewis were particular standouts for me. These lighter moments provided welcome relief from the show’s grittier aspects, with Lewis’s antics eliciting genuine laughter from the audience. The actor’s impeccable comic timing and physical humour added a layer of depth to the production, proving that even in the harshest environments, humanity’s capacity for joy persists.

This is a production that doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of its setting, yet still finds room for humour, heart, and hope.  It is a strangely poignant piece to watch, and at many times, found myself giving a wry smile or roll of the eyes that the issues that mattered so much in 19th Century Manhattan have never really gone away.

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5 stars

https://www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/the-gangs-of-new-york/

Thanks to our reviewer Fiona