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Howie the Rookie

 
Richard Beck Review by Richard Beck 2 Published: 28 Apr 2026 The Cockpit Show Dates: 24 Apr 2026-2 May 2026

Contracting scabies and the death of a Siamese fighting fish are the somewhat minor incidents that set in motion a series of chaotic events with disastrous consequences in Mark O’Rowe’s visceral drama Howie the Rookie at The Cockpit Theatre, in collaboration with Burning Coal Theatre for their biennial UK visit, directed by Jerome Davis.

The drama unfolds in two fast-paced, intense monologues

The drama unfolds in two fast-paced, intense monologues set over an action-packed 24 hours. In part one we meet the scabies-riddled Howie Lee (Lucius Robinson), who is trying to track down The Rookie Lee (Andrew Price Carlile), from whose old infested mattress he contracted the condition. He intends to “give him a hiding” for the discomfort he is enduring. In the second half it’s the turn of The Rookie Lee to give his side of the story, but mostly to explain his own troubles in finding the money to repay Ladyboy, whose expensive fighting fish he killed in an unfortunate accident. Here, it seems, not even the fish can live in peace.

Both actors give powerful performances. Robinson, playing the rougher of the two, relishes the seediness of the role, immersing himself in all the filth and sexual depravity of everyday life, along with the essential threats, violence and aggression that come with the territory. Price Carlile plays a softer role that relies more on charm and good looks to survive, while suffering the panic of a repayment deadline he has little hope of meeting. They each introduce us to some eccentric characters and mingle humour with wounded pride in a plot that ultimately ends in tragedy.

The action takes place in Dublin’s gritty underworld. It is here the production falls short, despite the masterful performances of both actors. Their utterances have a generic Irish sound to them but are lacking in precision. The tones and lilt of Dublin are missing. Some sentences are rendered unintelligible and trying to grasp what is going on, particularly in the first half, is very difficult.

The level of effort and concentration required to understand what is being said and to follow the story is way beyond what should be necessary to appreciate the play.

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The Blurb:

The Cockpit in collaboration with Burning Coal Theatre presents Mark O'Rowe's wild and hilarious haymaker of a play about two lowlife punks from Dublin's seedier side of town who stumble upon a friendship, salvation, and even grace..