What The Animals Say is the first play written by David Ireland. This production is directed by Harry Burton, and stars Eddie Harrison as Robbie Martin, a star footballer, and Matthew Blaney as Jimmy Culver, a struggling actor.
The play opens at a ferry station, where the two await a ferry to Belfast. They begin to reconnect after recognising each other as classmates from their younger days in Northern Ireland. The script explores themes of sectarianism, masculinity, class and identity through conversations about football, films, goals, aspirations and the contrasting opinions of its two characters. Jimmy is an intellectual, seemingly progressive modern man, while Robbie is the stereotypical brawny lad. Both actors bring an explosive energy to the confrontation. Harrison plays the bull-headed celebrity footballer with conviction, while Blaney is impressive as the performative, ‘woke’ intellectual. The visceral verbal jabs between the two, alongside the play’s dark and often absurd humour, are delivered perfectly by both performers.
We soon realise that the two classmates have gone on to lead wildly different lives and have developed contrasting views of the world. Neither character is entirely straightforward: both can appear genuine in their opinions while simultaneously becoming caricatures of the social attitudes they represent. This friction gives the dialogue much of its humour, especially as the pair attempt to assert their superiority over each other. Beneath the banter, the play gradually exposes the insecurities and prejudices that underpin their interactions, particularly around class, masculinity and Northern Irish identity.
The versatile set design makes effective use of the Finborough’s intimate space, transforming the relatively sparse setting into the locations required by the play. The costume design is equally effective, establishing the play’s late-2000s timeline quite well.
Where I was left slightly unsatisfied, however, was with the script itself. The play introduces several potentially rich themes: sectarianism, class, masculinity, identity and the lingering effects of Northern Ireland’s troubled past, but often only scratches the surface of them. The play is undoubtedly funny, some might even feel its humour is borderline blasphemous (in the best way), but much of its social commentary ultimately feels more familiar than revelatory. The arguments between Jimmy and Robbie are entertaining, yet I was left wanting the script to push further beneath their opposing personas and explore more fully why they have become the men we see on stage.
That said, the strength of the production lies in its explosive performances. Harrison and Blaney have an excellent dynamic, moving effortlessly between comedy, hostility, moments of genuine vulnerability and, well, violence. Their performances breathe life into the dialogue and make the increasingly volatile exchanges compelling to watch, even when the ideas behind them feel underdeveloped.
What The Animals Say is an entertaining, foul-mouthed and frequently hilarious two-hander, elevated by two committed performances. While I found the script a bit generic in its treatment of the deeper themes it raises, the production is still an enjoyable watch, especially for those who appreciate dark comedy.
Reviewer: Prateek Sonny
Reviewed: 1st October 2026
North West End UK Rating: