In this intense prison drama, Frankie Donnelly (Mark Thomas) must find a middle ground in a field of mind games. Without a decent right hook to defend himself, his only protection against the other inmates? A knack for keeping secrets, a typewriter, and his history of political protests.
Setting the scene, Frankie takes us back to the 1990s, specifically just after the infamous Strangeways prison riots. The conditions in prisons have since improved to try to minimise potential eruptions. However, with each inmate that Frankie meets, it seems this eruption is getting closer and closer.
The first inmate is introduced well before the rest. Just known as Levens, who “grassed” on Frankie’s chocolate bar smuggling cannabis business that landed them both in prison in the first place. Frankie had nothing to do with the attack; he keeps secrets. Frankie introduces the audience to Kenny, a victim of sexual assault who snapped at his abuser. Belfast Tony, a potential IRA operative, and Bron, on the other end of the spectrum, is an aggressively traumatised British soldier. Finally, there is the man who runs the prison, a small white Muslim called Robert.
Much of Frankie’s life is introduced like reminiscent waves whilst in prison. You learn in quick moments of his history as an activist, communist politics, and his recovery from a drug problem. He reminisces most about his partner Josie and her son JJ, especially when she sends him letters to “The Nick”. However, his fantasy of being united with any of these ideals moves further away from his grasp the closer he gets to the outside world.
Mark Thomas brings Ed Edwards’ prison drama to life with just five metal barriers and a prison toilet. Mark spits his lines out with such passion that the audience is entirely sucked in and captivated by 90s prison politics, and this stage play’s advocacy for activism.
Ordinary Decent Criminal 11.50 OR 19.30, Summerhall, until August 25
https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/ordinary-decent-criminal
