A rum deal

Trouble is on the cards for a group of poker players when they are joined at the table by a stranger in Patrick Marber’s tense drama Dealer’s Choice.

Playing at the cornerHOUSE on March 18 to 21, this emotionally charged black comedy unfolds over the course of one testosterone-fuelled night, where friendships are pushed to the limit and a father and son’s fragile relationship comes to an inexorable conclusion.

You don’t have to be a poker fan to enjoy the play; anyone who likes good drama with some comedy thrown in is in for a real treat. Although based around the build-up and eventual climax to the poker game itself, the story is based on human relationships and the tensions that exist between family and friends.

“Seeing this play in the West End we just knew that we had to do it,” said director Chris Masters. “The amazing mix of characters and the emotional rollercoaster ride they take us on was exhilarating to watch, and hopefully our audience will feel the same as we did.”

Masters has directed a number of short plays, all self-penned and some of his work has featured in the annual cornerHOUSE oneACT festival as well as the Woking Drama Festival.

Dealer’s Choice is the first production by new theatre company junkelephant, but the group of actors have staged numerous productions before including Orpheus Descending, Popcorn, Stags and Hens, Memory of Water, Glengarry Glenn Ross and Chorus of Disapproval, to name but a few.

Dealer’s Choice is not suitable for children as there is adult content and very strong language.