MAMIL-Herald Theatre

Last night saw the Herald Theatre’s first performance of MAMIL, written and directed by Gregory Cooper. Bryan Cook is a property developer whose life goes belly-up thanks to a ruthless business associate, and a disillusioned wife who has finally chucked him out. Bankrupt and alone, he turns to a new mode of transport and a new group of buddies to help him through. He starts to become part of that leotard lot, a ‘MAMIL’, or middle-aged man in lycra.

Mark Hadlow takes to the stage with energy and confidence. He stays there for the duration without a break, during which he plays an impressively wide range of ten male characters. He transitions seamlessly between each persona, often at break-neck speed. Distinction between characters is made through different accents, but needn’t have been. Hadlow is enough of a pro to convey the change in character through even the slightest change in posture.
As the story unfolds, the focal point becomes the mighty Pinarello, Bryan’s bike. A special mention must be made to the set design, which incorporates this impressive machine into a moveable stage, allowing costume changes to take place in front of the audience (you don’t see… that every day!).
The play, laden with penis jokes, seems to rush the feel-good ending. The 90 minute running time could use more review due to some repetitive, and weaker gags.

The story of MAMIL uses comedy to discuss issues which face many men as they go through middle Age; what it means to be a man, what it is to love, friendships and how to get back on the bike when you think you’ve taken the hardest fall. This is a real bloke’s story.

MAMIL is on at Herald Theatre until 16 August.

Reviewed by Steph Bean

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