If you thought that this memorable name was the title of a
film, starring the attractive Cillian Murphy, then you'd be spot on. Released in 2001 this film was actually an adaptation of a play written in 1996 – and Murphy originated his film role as Pig in the stage version – which must have been one of his earliest roles, seeing as this play is about two seventeen year olds.
In the play they're the only two characters. The other's name is Runt. All the other characters in the play are only described by them, they never get their own voices. The story follows these two – who were born in the same hospital at almost exactly the same time, and have lived next door to each other ever since, sharing an almost telepathic relationship, and a similar taste for destruction, drunkenness and reckless adventure. Which is fine until, as in so many stories of childhood best friends, one wants something more romantic from the other – something the other isn't prepared to reciprocate.
The author of of the play, and the film, is
Eda Walsh, who's probably best known for the film
'Hunger', which is the story of the last six weeks in the life of Irish republican hunger striker, Bobby Sands, and was directed by Steve McQueen, who took it on to win the Caméra d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2008. Disco Pigs is less harrowing and funnier, but it still has a lot to say.
The play is on in The Clare Theatre, which is one of the Young Vic's smaller venues.
