Review: The Thing About Psychopaths

Ben Tagoe’s new play has a strong but simple message – when the going gets tough in today’s world, no-one cares about anyone but themselves.

To consolidate his message Tagoe has drawn on his own life experience of a brief period spent on remand in a Dublin prison. Without this environmental background to draw on it is doubtful if the work would have been as powerful. The plot revolves around Noel (Shaun Cowlishaw) who has grown up comfortably, but he’s ambitious and he’s always wanted more.

When Ray (Babajide Fado), a senior trader at the financial institution they both work for, persuades him that he could have more, he decides the chance is his for the taking. When their activity is exposed, Noel has to face his worst nightmare: prison.

Noel quickly has to cope with the brutal dog-eats-dog environment of prison and learns that if he is to survive he has to stand his ground as he finds himself “banged up” with Michael, a habitual offender and a psychopath.

Rod Dixon’s production is intense and moves seamlessly from the corporate hub to a prison cell, reflecting the discipline of the corporate world by interjecting the opening speeches with some clever movement and choreography.

As Michael, William Fox’s performance borders on brilliance. Everything about his character is so convincing – he could slip into any prison wing and blend in beautifully with its residents.

The clever thing about this play is that it leaves you with exactly the thoughts that the author wanted you to have – that certain aspects of the behaviour of people in the corporate world are shared with those of psychopaths behind bars.

On tour.