Well. What can I even begin to write about 'Barflies'? Simply, if you don't go and see it, you're missing one of the best pieces of theatre you will EVER get to see in your life. Sure, the price tag is a little steep, but you get a free drink of your choice out of it! Though sincerely, even without the prospect of free alcohol as a teaser, this is a stunning performance piece by actors, and indeed a musician, with talent that left me open-mouthed.You enter the pub. It's an ACTUAL pub. It's even smoky. Clever, clever. It becomes obvious by the placement of the audience that the bar itself is going to be the 'stage' and when taking on the work of Charles Bukowski, why wouldn't it?! 'Barflies' is a truly epic piece based on his writings, both prose and poetry, brought vividly to life, sometimes uncomfortably so, for a voyeuristic audience. If you don't know who Bukowski is; go out, buy the book 'What Matters Most Is How Well You Walk Through The Fire' and when you've fallen in love with his dirty, truth-ridden stanzas, go and see 'Barflies'.Keith Fleming plays 'Henry', a drunken writer, scarily reminiscent of Bukowski himself. He is overwhelmingly strong in his performance, spitting his story out and drawing you completely in. Gail Watson assists in bringing his narrative to life, hypnotically taking on five different roles, making each astonishingly separate from the others with a talent that is nothing short of incredible. Both monumental actors are pushed along in their tale by the subtle and complementary use of music, played on the pub's old piano by the super-talented David Paul Jones as 'Silent Dave', the darkly comic bartender.The production mirrors Bukowski's style to perfection. It's dirty, sexy, painful, violent. In short; it's Life. The performers treat the bar like a playground, jumping all over it like monkeys, like children at the best party ever. They utilise every inch of the space, every door, every hook, leaving you flabbergasted by the sheer levels of what you're watching. They move seamlessly from a drunken, Dionysus-like dance (front row, bring your umbrellas) to poignantly still scenes of loss or reconciliation. All the while, you're senses are bombarded by the amalgamation of what you are seeing with some of the most beautiful lighting effects I've ever witnessed and Jone's soaring, formidable score.This is utterly believable, thought provoking theatre. The physicality, acting talent and musical prowess seen in this show is exceptional. Combined with some unbelievable lighting and sound 'Barflies' contrives to hit every single one of your senses with every single raw human emotion that we, as polite society, keep pent up. Such is the way of Bukowski. It's a fitting tribute to the man and one which should be savoured, like a good whiskey, by as many people as possible, over and over again until you fall down drunk with pleasure.
