Killer Joe – Trafalgar Studio’s, London 03.08.2018

I was invited to attend this production by a very close friend who didn’t want to miss out on a chance on seeing Orlando Bloom on stage. I kindly accepted – like i was going to turn down a chance to see a play in London?!?

When we took our seats in Studio 1 at Trafalgar Studios in Row R, which was the very back row. The view was fine but when we were offered the chance to upgrade – no charge to row F, it didn’t take us long to jump out of our seats! The view was fantastic and made the experience much more enjoyable. So thank you Trafalgar for upgrading us.

Killer Joe by Tracy Letts is a black comedy that tells the story of a young drug dealer named Chris who finds himself in desperate need of some cash. He and his father Ansel come up with the idea to murder Chris’ mother for her life insurance policy. To help them they hire the help of Joe Cooper a hitman by night and police officer by day to kill their mother. However, when Chris doesn’t have the money to pay him upfront Joe decides to accept Chris’ strange and childlike sister Dottie as “retainer” until his money comes through. 

What I didn’t expect from this production was the comedy value to it, I just wasn’t expecting to laugh in this play – but it helped lighten the mood and balance out the darker side of the story. Set in a caravan van the setting was very intimate with most action going on in this small box, allowing you to focus on the story. The story itself can be loved or hated, being that the story can be violent, at times degrading, and full of male dominance, but that’s what makes this play and you have to focus that it is a fictional story…enjoy what your watching and don’t read to much into it. I personally loved it, mainly due to the excellent acting that was portrayed by the small cast:

Killer Joe Cooper – Orlando Bloom

Dottie Smith – Sophie Cookson

Chris Smith – Adam Gillen

Sharla Smith – Neve Mcintosh

Ansel Smith – Steffan Rhodri

I was very intrigued to how Orlando would take to the stage in the role of Killer Joe, he was perfect for the role! Not only did his presence on stage overpower the other cast – that’s not because he was taller and broader than all of them, but he had the dominance and authority to portray Joe perfectly. But also had a calm, chilling menacing side which gave him the perfect balance to complete the role that the play had created – you also got a cheeky bum glimpse too!

My bigget praise however has to be for Sophie Cookson as Dottie Smith, I just couldn’t fault her one bit. She has studied that role completely ensuring that she portrayed Dottie to the best of her ability that leaves the audience love and sympathize with her. From her speech to her body languages and twitches, she much have been exhausted and drained each night with the amount of power she gave that role! She was just mesmerizing to watch, along with the relationships with each of the character each with their on uniqueness than the next.

The remainder of the Smith family were also excellent in their roles, Adam as Chris has the comic moments yet at times he was vulnerable and his love for Dottie was clearly displayed in an uncomfortable way at times. Sharla and Ansel played by Neve and Steffan also performed brilliantly, carrying the story well and gave some excellent moments throughout.

This play may not have been for everyone, but for me I loved it, it had power, love, and amazing acting! I was so happy that I accepted the invitation to see this play during its run!