WHAT THE ANIMALS SAY
Finborough Theatre
★★★
“sharp, funny and provocative”
David Ireland’s debut play ‘What The Animals Say’ makes its long-awaited London premiere. Written in the late 2000s, its themes of tribalism and male identity remain sharply relevant – even if it doesn’t quite land a knockout blow.
A chance encounter on the Stranraer ferry reunites former classmates Jimmy and Eddie. As old truths resurface and new rivalry takes hold, can their fragile bond survive?
This timely revival of David Ireland’s debut play grapples with uncomfortable truths about tribalism, masculinity and success. Jimmy and Eddie’s uneasy reunion strips away their carefully constructed façades to reveal a shared insecurity beneath. An expected reversal forces a confrontation and raises the stakes. Ireland’s dialogue is sharp, funny and provocative, though some of the play’s richer ideas could be pushed further. The barrage of slurs – while serving a dramatic purpose – occasionally feels more uncomfortable than illuminating. Thought-provoking and often compelling, a keener edge would help it reach its full potential.
Harry Burton’s direction keeps the tension simmering, pleasingly exposing the flaws and contradictions in both men. The humour builds well, bringing out Ireland’s sharp writing. The risky baseball bat sequences are executed with impressive precision. However, the pacing occasionally hesitates and an overly long scene transition disrupts momentum. Eddie emerges as the richer character, leaving Jimmy feeling a little underdeveloped. Even so, it’s a solid production that largely lands its blows.
Alex Marker’s design is inventive, cleverly concealing two equally bleak locations within a single set. Joe Dines’ sound design vividly evokes a ferry port, while rumbling thunder signals trouble. Ellie Landrebe’s costumes and Sophia Knight’s hair and makeup instantly establish each man’s curated persona, masking their hidden similarities. Jodi Rabinowitz’s lighting bathes the stage in desolate tones, with dramatic flashes of lightning heightening the tension.
Matthew Blaney’s Jimmy and Robbie Martin’s Eddie are an engaging pairing. Blaney skilfully balances Jimmy’s contradictory persona, channelling both self-importance and self-doubt before unravelling spectacularly. A touch more edge in places would better foreshadow the darkness to come. Martin’s mercurial Eddie keeps both Jimmy and the audience on edge, never quite revealing how far he can be trusted. When the simmering tension finally boils over, Martin’s surge of rage is expertly judged.
‘What The Animals Say’ remains provocative and relevant. Though it could go further in places, it’s still an absorbing watch.
WHAT THE ANIMALS SAY
Finborough Theatre
Reviewed on 1st October 2026
by Hannah Bothelton
Photography by Gavin Watson
