I wasn't sure about going all the way to Doncaster to see Get Carter - it's not my absolutely favourite novel, but I'm so glad I did. The https://www.northernstage.co.uk/ production was superb - dark, menacing and gritty in a way the Michael Caine movie could never have been.
Kevin Wathen as Jack Carter was perfect, with northern accent and the ability to turn from nice young man into terrifying vicious monster in a moment. The set was magnificent - totally adaptable at a moment's notice - so clever!
It was a shame that the theatre was so empty - I know it was Saturday afternoon and football's on the telly, but really, people missed a fantastic afternoon.
It was also sad that the movie and this production were set in Newcastle. I don't think it says in the book where it's set, but it should be Scunthorpe and Barton on Humber - the Ted Lewis group in Barton are beginning to identify where scenes in various Ted Lewis novels are set and take guided tours around the 'scene of the crime'. But having said that, the North East accents really made the Northern Stage production work well - I'm not sure a Lincolnshire gangster would work nearly as well!
It's the last night in Doncaster tonight, so if you don't have tickets, it's too late (we heard they've sold out!), but you can still catch them in Durham, Salford or Southampton. And if you have tickets for tonight, spare a thought for poor Kevin - he's already done one performance today - yet I'm sure he'll be excellent tonight too.
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