They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

One hundred and forty couples, 879 hours of dancing, a possible one thousand pound cash prize. Set at the end of a pier in 1930s America, the Citizens Theatre adaption of Horace McCoy’s 1935 novel follows the desolation and eventual downfall of a group of desperate, jobless hopefuls who attempt to dance their way out of the depression. The audience witness the deterioration of the characters, as they slowly begin to unravel, both physically and mentally. What began as an exciting, upbeat contest devolves into manipulation and misery, climaxing in a murder. Pushed by the prospect of money, the light-hearted becomes ill-hearted as the contestants begin to kill in order to survive.

The play is narrated by the ruthless ‘Rocky’ Gravo (George Drennan), who gives an excellent performance as the host of the contest, his gameshow-style narration giving a sinister overtone to the event. Flashing lights and a live piano band initially provoke an exciting atmosphere, but eventually become a sinister, unnerving background to the contestants’ demise.

The play ambitiously combines an array of actors from different backgrounds across Glasgow, including performers from the Citizens Community Company and Young Company, and Turning Point Scotland, sourcing actors from projects such as Govanhill Community Development Trust and Glasgow East Regeneration Agency. The result is a variety of acting abilities and accents, combining strong American with broad Glasgweigen (an angle that the Citizens has used before). However, the variable acting doesn’t take too much away from the play itself, which is an impressive production, especially considering the short, four week period in which it was compiled. Subtle detail regarding costumes, set and choreography heighten the appeal of the piece.

They Shoot Horses, Don’t They is as relevant today as in 1935; the dance marathon perhaps stands as one of the original reality entertainment productions. It is a chilling exhibition of manipulation, filled with hope, mystery, humour, seduction, desperation and tragedy. Dancing has never been so dangerous.