Says I, Says He

Synopsis

Belfast, 1970s

Mick and Pete, lifelong friends from Belfast, find themselves at a crossroads. Mick, freshly unemployed, and Pete, out of work for years, decide to escape their stifling lives and head to London. In Says I, Says He, their dreams clash with harsh realities as they navigate the murky waters of survival in a foreign city. Mick uses his connections to climb the ladder of a construction company, while Pete falls into a comfortable yet dubious arrangement with a landlady. Their ambitious plans unravel, leading them back to Belfast, where they face the ultimate reckoning with their pasts and each other.

Says I, Says He explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the futility of escape. Hutchinson’s play, rich in dialogue and incident, employs a non-linear narrative to depict the cyclical nature of the protagonists’ struggles. The tone oscillates between dark comedy and tragedy, capturing the essence of the Irish experience with a blend of wry humour and grim realism. The play’s style is marked by vivid characterisation and poignant reflections on the socio-political landscape of Northern Ireland.