The Gangs of New York review – explosive romance on America’s mean streets

Grosvenor Park, Chester
In this open-air production, audiences become citizens of an unruly city in which violence and corruption abound

The prize for adventurous programming goes to Chester’s Storyhouse, whose lineup in Grosvenor Park’s outdoor theatre-in-the-round includes this vision of a lawless America where fist fights, gambling and bribery abound. Quite a contrast to the familiar summer fare of The Importance of Being Earnest and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (don’t worry: they’re doing them as well). And quite refreshing to see a large audience lapping it up without qualm.

True, it is based on Herbert Asbury’s 1928 nonfiction book rather than Martin Scorsese’s bleak 2002 movie, which frees playwright Kieran Lynn to up the romance and push towards something like a happy ending. But that is not to understate the themes of violence, anti-Irish racism and political corruption that define this picture of mid-19th century New York.

At Grosvenor Park, Chester, until 31 August