This is a one man play that has already enjoyed a considerable amount of success at some festivals throughout the UK. The writer and performer is a charismatic Edwin Mullane, a talented 23 year old from Dublin. Edwin launches himself onto the stage with the confidence and subtlety of a bull in a china shop and compells us from start to finish with a show not for the faint hearted. Some may find the character's accent a little difficult to get used to.
Whacker is a story about a young Irish lad who just wants to make a few quid to impress Maria, the 'wonder of Warsaw'. But when a dodgy Dublin deal goes tits-up, he finds himself in debt to Jimmy Mo Mo - the biggest nutbag around. Other entertaining characters are introduced and do their best to help Whacker out but to no avail. His situation worsens as he digs a deeper hole for himself and tries desperately to get out.
The problem with many one man/woman shows is that they often tend to be rather self indulgent monologues. This isnt. It's a beautiful and articulate piece with every expletive carefuly placed. The direction by esteemed Irish actor, Tom Hickey is slick. Every moment and dialogue Whacker encounters is depicted brilliantly. Edwin paints the various scenes in almost a poetic manner. I can understand why comparisons to Channel 4's brilliant series, Shameless have been drawn, but I do believe Whacker could well deserve a place alongside the Irish classics such as, Playboy of the Western World.
