RANK is the debut play from Goldie Majtas who also acts in it alongside Paige Cowell, and is a rather surprisingly fresh dark comedy. They are friends, also flatmates, waiting at a taxi rank after a night out involving a LOT of drinking; and Paige Cowell as Jane plays absolutely plastered so well it actually makes you wonder whether she’s really drunk. Her falling about and almost twisting her ankle, curling up in a ball on the floor while she waits for the taxi: we all know or have been a Paige. The epitome of lowered inhibitions and bad judgement calls is taking a flash photograph of a man doing something he shouldn’t be doing in the street. Goldie Majtas as Gemma is slightly less obviously drunk but the lowered inhibitions are still there: these two could give a masterclass in how to act drunk well on stage; the way they both try to act sober is excellent. Hearing their fragmented and bizarre conversations as they lust over the man they’ve just seen in the club and discuss how to make the perfect pot noodle are utterly hilarious.

This is a brilliant combination of crisp clear writing, wonderful acting and tight direction provided by Julia Mandler. Gemma and Jane know each other so well they can finish each other’s sentences. The following days in their flat through fairly simple interactions you see exactly what their close friendship is like: where they support each other, challenge each other, and push each other. The comedy timing in writing and delivery is superb. There is a scene with a skirt where the penny drops for the audience before it does for Gemma and Jane and this is enormously satisfying and very funny, plus hilariously disgusting at the same time. The scene where Gemma is so nervous to go on a date they both end up drinking masses of shots and dancing instead is so recognisable: the 20 something life of drinking and dating and going out that some of us had or some of us wanted. It’s vicariously joyful to experience.

This piece holds your attention right through but just before it ends, when you don’t realise it’s near the end, there is a sudden complete genre change, which leaves you on the edge of your seat. It’s either a masterstroke of refreshing risk taking in writing to end it there, or it’s a play that needs a second act: it’s really hard to tell which. As a stand alone play this is fresh and exciting which holds promise for the future: both in acting and writing. It would be satisfying to know what happens next in the story, or maybe it wouldn’t: you could argue either way and both would be right. Fresh, raw, energetic, bold, and extremely funny.

The Lantern Theatre, 25 May 2024
RANK runs until 25 May 2024
Photos credit: Goldstone Company