Howie the Rookie by Mark O'Rowe. Red Stitch Actors Theatre.

This play puts the steel cap into kick-arse. It's Dublin's answer to Trainspotting. As you'd expect from the Irish, a humble pint -- well several dozen of them -- replaces the syringe. And the sad-bastard tragedy is never less than pants-wettingly funny. If most theatre is for pussies, this play is for panthers.


David Whiteley and Vince Miller in Howie the Rookie

A feud begins with a burning mattress. The Rookie ("breaker of hearts and hymens") has left behind an infestation of scabies when he slept on Ali's mat, and fellow mate Peaches has since contracted them. The Howie (Vincent Miller) is conscripted to help Peaches exact brutal revenge. But within 48 hours, The Howie changes sides and all hell breaks loose.

Mark O'Rowe's words float like a butterfly and kick like a buffalo. He gives actors space in which to be immense. To dazzle. And Miller and David Whiteley seize those opportunities in Red Stitch's best show yet, and one of the very best shows of the year. Just when we thought we had the company pinned down, it invites Greg Carroll to direct... an inspired decision.

Howie The Rookie is a reminder of what theatre should be: vivid, thrilling and -- well, derr Chris!! -- dramatic.

Highly recommended.

Howie the Rookie by Mark O'Rowe. Directed by Greg Carroll. Red Stitch Actors Theatre. 80 Inkerman Street, St Kilda, until October 27, 2002.

This review was appeared in the October 9 2002 edition of the Herald Sun.