Rank: A Tale from Paradise Heights
Poster Design by DARREN McGINN
Take a ride tonight, with The Dogz of Paradise Heights…
It’s Halloween in the Heights, and the Storm of the Century is rolling in off the Irish Sea to the bay town. But something is coming through on that storm, something not of this world…
As the storm crackles across the airwaves disrupting communications, strange voices whisper through the radios at Lucky Cabs, and a mysterious caller wants a taxi to a house that burned down years ago. Out on the streets, there are sightings, wailings — and something moving in the dark. At the centre of it all is Lisa MacGeehan, boss of Lucky Cabs taxi rank. Her decision to turn grass after a local gangland shooting has left her business boycotted, her drivers threatened, and her nights haunted by more than guilt.
Whatever is out there in that storm, Lisa knows it’s heading for the rank.
With riots flaring, the police stretched thin, and Death himself stalking the town, Lisa must face the ghosts of her past — and survive the longest night of her life.
Rank is a taut, supernatural urban thriller — in the flavour of Jimmy McGovern meets Stephen King on the storm lashed streets of Paradise Heights.
It’s Halloween in the Heights, and the Storm of the Century is rolling in off the Irish Sea to the bay town. But something is coming through on that storm, something not of this world…
As the storm crackles across the airwaves disrupting communications, strange voices whisper through the radios at Lucky Cabs, and a mysterious caller wants a taxi to a house that burned down years ago. Out on the streets, there are sightings, wailings — and something moving in the dark. At the centre of it all is Lisa MacGeehan, boss of Lucky Cabs taxi rank. Her decision to turn grass after a local gangland shooting has left her business boycotted, her drivers threatened, and her nights haunted by more than guilt.
Whatever is out there in that storm, Lisa knows it’s heading for the rank.
With riots flaring, the police stretched thin, and Death himself stalking the town, Lisa must face the ghosts of her past — and survive the longest night of her life.
Rank is a taut, supernatural urban thriller — in the flavour of Jimmy McGovern meets Stephen King on the storm lashed streets of Paradise Heights.
Reviews
Jeni Howarth Williams as Lisa in RANK
This is hardcore drama of the first degree...
Stephen Kingston, Salford Star
It was a beautiful piece of work. Gripping, moving, woundingly well acted, particularly by remarkable lead actress, Jeni Howarth Wlliams, man she was brilliant. The whole cast were...it deserves to run and run. And run. Jim Cartwright has got some serious competition in the local playwright states.
Steve Balshaw, Salford Film Festival
The strength of this production as with most of O’Byrne's pieces lies in the writing, as he has a style that juxtaposes sharp dry humour with searching and seering dialogue. Rank is a success but don’t go to see the show if you are looking for an easy ride as this most certainly isn’t one.
John Roberts, whatsonstage.com
Rank, O'Byrne's latest creation - and possibly his best...maintains an almost unbearably tense atmosphere as events build towards a climax. It's all grounded by O'Byrne's language however, his ear for authentic voices rooting all his work in realism and an authentic world we all recognise. His characters are tough yet romantic, grounded and believable. With names and faces reoccurring throughout the different stories of Paradise Heights, you get a real sense of depth and thought - you could take any of the fringe characters and develop them into the focus of another story...Rank will surely be seen again on other stages around Manchester, and it deserves to be seen by a wider audience.
Aaron Lavery, Manchester Metro
Stephen Kingston, Salford Star
It was a beautiful piece of work. Gripping, moving, woundingly well acted, particularly by remarkable lead actress, Jeni Howarth Wlliams, man she was brilliant. The whole cast were...it deserves to run and run. And run. Jim Cartwright has got some serious competition in the local playwright states.
Steve Balshaw, Salford Film Festival
The strength of this production as with most of O’Byrne's pieces lies in the writing, as he has a style that juxtaposes sharp dry humour with searching and seering dialogue. Rank is a success but don’t go to see the show if you are looking for an easy ride as this most certainly isn’t one.
John Roberts, whatsonstage.com
Rank, O'Byrne's latest creation - and possibly his best...maintains an almost unbearably tense atmosphere as events build towards a climax. It's all grounded by O'Byrne's language however, his ear for authentic voices rooting all his work in realism and an authentic world we all recognise. His characters are tough yet romantic, grounded and believable. With names and faces reoccurring throughout the different stories of Paradise Heights, you get a real sense of depth and thought - you could take any of the fringe characters and develop them into the focus of another story...Rank will surely be seen again on other stages around Manchester, and it deserves to be seen by a wider audience.
Aaron Lavery, Manchester Metro