Photograph: Lace Market
The Lace Market Theatre is one of Nottingham’s wonders. Entirely run by volunteers, from the actors and stage crew to the front desk and bar staff. And yet this is no ‘am dram’ and at its best can compete with the big boys in town. What a marvellous way of keeping that white chalked building in working order.
Nor does the theatre shy away from challenging or controversial plays. Take Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean as an example. Originally written in 1976 by Ed Gracyzk, the play was turned into an excellent movie in 1982 starring Cher, Kathy Bates and Karen Black. If you haven’t seen it yet, rent a copy.
A small, flyblown town is slowly dying in the heat of an endless drought. Deep in the bible belt, this scratch in the sand is home to rednecks and fundamental Christians. Yes, it’s a town full of bigots.
It’s the twentieth anniversary of James Dean’s death. The perfect excuse for Mona, lifelong James Dean devotee and mother to his only known son, to throw a reunion party for the Disciples of Dean, this being the fan club she ran all those years ago, after working as an extra on Giant, Dean’s last movie.
A handful of former members turn up, as does a mystery woman who seems strangely familiar. Mona plans an evening of reminisces, of the days when Dean’s son brought an all too brief prosperity to the town. But those glories are long faded. Now, everyone is living a lie.
And so the narrative cuts between 1975 and the fateful events of 1955. What happened when Mona’s boyfriend went to senior prom dressed as a girl? Yes, that’s where the jello-filled boobies come in. What terrible revenge was exacted on him by the homophobic locals? And how did Mona come to spend a night with James Dean, and why does his son have a learning disability? These and other dark secrets are about to wriggle their way into the light.
It’s a play about delusion and denial. A piece charting our psychoses and neuroses and the simmering tensions these cause. Tensions that are about to explode and change everyone’s life forever.
The cast are solid and sport convincing American accents. Julie Fleming handles the role of the enigmatic mystery woman with panache. Sly smiles, knowing glances, the quiet confidence of someone who knows something you do not. But even she is in for a shock or two before the night is out.
The flashbacks play out alongside the present day and this cutting to and fro could be a tad confusing, so pay attention. Nonetheless, frequent remarks from the audience were ‘Well, that’s different’ and ‘That was really good.’ So won’t you all come back to the 5 & Dime? You’ll be in for some good theatre.
Come back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean runs at the Lace Market Theatre, from Tuesday 23 May to Saturday 28 May 2016.
We have a favour to ask
LeftLion is Nottingham’s meeting point for information about what’s going on in our city, from the established organisations to the grassroots. We want to keep what we do free to all to access, but increasingly we are relying on revenue from our readers to continue. Can you spare a few quid each month to support us?
