The Ushers @ Tron

Raindog, founded around a group of actors with a vision of the plays that they wanted to see, has become more famous in the past decade for their film and television work. Since The Ushers was written and directed by a team who met on Coronation Street, it is unsurprising that this return to the stage reflects the style of the TV sit-com.

At almost two hours, this light exploration of friendship's end wanders around a minimal plot, dropping in revelations and twists and relying on repeated gags and comic ineptitude. It is too long, and while the rambling, anecdotal narrative attempts to examine the shared history that binds young men, the characters are too subservient to the humour: the female character is more of a device than a personality, while the Scottish banter creaks. There are moments of hilarity, usually around the recent death of a grandmother, but the set piece speeches, full of huge emotions and symbolic weight, slow the action.

Raindog's intention to create light comedy is undermined by the slow direction and a script that could use sharper editing. The finale, which suddenly become serious, lacks bite and although the time ambles along pleasantly, it fails to deliver any killer punchlines.