“The Plough and the Stars” is now showing in the Abbey Theatre until 25^th September 2010.

 

The Plough and the Stars is a play by the Irish writer Seán O'Casey which was first performed on February 8, 1926 in the Abbey Theatre, Dublin.

 

It is set in Dublin around the time of the 1916 Easter Rising. The play shows little of the leaders of the rising, but instead concentrates on a cast of ordinary working-class Dubliners. Among them are a young married couple called Jack and Nora Clitheroe. Jack is a member of the Irish Citizen Army, but Nora would prefer that he stay at home with her. Jack learns that Nora has burned a notification that he has been promoted Commandant and he is to lead a reconnaissance attack on Dublin Castle. Jack is furious and leaves the house.

 

Throughout this play we are introduced to the period were my generation’s parents grew up. We are brought down the familiar road of Irish lifestyle, lingo and livelihood which resonates in us all. Jack is played by the devilishly handsome and all grown up Barry White who we seen strut his stuff previously in “Lay me down Softly, in Late 2008.

 

The audience seem to love many of the additional characters throughout this play bringing us barrels of laughter at there persona.

 

Booking Information

Tuesday 27 July – Saturday 25 September
Previews Wednesday 21, Thursday 22, Friday 23, Saturday 24, Monday 26 July
Monday – Saturday evening 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2pm

Book now or call 01 87 87 222

 

MOVE OVER ABBEY THEATRE. PACINO’S SUPPER CLUB HAS ARRIVED!!

 

What’s a supper club and where is Pacino’s I here you ask!? A supper club is the latest brain child of Paul Ryan where we can all go to dine & wine while watching theatre. Doesn’t that sound brilliant? Well it is! Pacino’s is a stunning little Italian restaurant on Suffolk Street, Dublin 2 (To the right of Molly Malone’s’ wheel barrow). The staff are friendly, the food is ridiculously cheap and the wine is delicious. Pacino’s proprietor is a splendid young man, Mick Martin and the supper club is on every Thursday at 10pm. There is an admission charge of €10 on the door which goes straight into the actor’s pockets. http://www.pacinos.ie/

On arriving into the venue I was ushered by a gentleman to the bar where I chose a glass of house red merlot. Please try it because it was sensational. As the place crowded up and everyone was greeted and seated we had a look at the menu. For a measly €20 you get a selection of any two Tapas or a large delicious Italian pizza with 2 glasses of wine. No wonder they advertise the night as “unscene”! The tapas where delicious and I tried a slice or two of some handsome devils Pizza and it was truly gorgeous.

A young lady came on the microphone and introduced the fire exists and explained that we would see five, 10 minute plays with 10 minute intervals in between for us to chit chat and the likes. The set up of the restaurant was perfect for this night. There are lots of high seated stools with tables and bar seating which all face a stage which I’m sure they use as an area for dinning during the day. The restaurant it quaint with stone brick interior, soft dim lighting and an exquisite Italian feel.

As the first act came on we are introduced to a hilarious scene of two ladies who are dinning and confessing their thoughts which have the audience in barrels of laughter, particularly at all the characters performed so hilariously by Actor Rebecca McGurrell who you can’t help but love and laugh out load or hysterically to yourself. As the 5 acts are performed they get better and better particularly in the 4th act where Johnny Williamson will stun you with his character of an actors agent about to sign an actor. The level of acting demonstrated by Johnny Williamson is second to none as he performs very different characters throughout the night with his excellent American accents and ground breaking performances. Every week we can expect to see different acts so it’s worth getting down to see this guy before he’s gone or snapped up by Hollywood.

The true star of the night however was the concept itself. Everyone seemed to like the new buzz of theatre while dinning and everyone is right. It is the first time something like this has been introduced on the Dublin scene and it’s about time. There is a buzz amongst the art and actor types of Dublin about this new concept and I predict a whole new array of these supper clubs popping up everywhere, where the talented actors, writers and director of Dublin strut their stuff. I personally am looking forward to being entertained while dining, particularly with menus as cheap as Pacino’s.

 

When your finished eating and watching the theatre you can go down stairs where they provide live music or a dj until some made hour!

Paul Ryan mentioned to us last night that there is a group on Facebook called “Entertaining Dublin” where he urges all entertainment industry professionals to get involved so they can get up and perform to the wonderful audience of Pacino’s on a Thursday night. http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=145973135417036&ref=ts 

 

Date: Every Thursday Night

Time: 10pm

Location: 18 Suffolk Street, Dublin 2, Ireland

Admission: €10

Booking Line: 01 677 5651

Website: http://www.pacinos.ie/

 

Marti Stewart

UK Theatre Network

 

Interview

Actor Johnny Williamson was kind enough to do a short and sweet interview with UK Theatre Network, sponsored by the UK Theatre Network, here’s how it went:

UK Theatre Network: Johnny, captivating performance there, I see tonight the production company performing are Company D. How did the company come about and how did you get involved:

Johnny: Well a guy called Dave is the director along with Rebecca there who spoke on the microphone earlier. They started up the production company who is performing tonight and I met Dave along the way in acting classes and he asked me to be a part of it.

UK Theatre Network: How did you chose the pieces to perform tonight, did someone write them, and if so who?

Johnny: well actually we just took little scenes out of plays that are already written by excellent playwrights and performed them.

UK Theatre Network: How long where you in rehearsals for?

Johnny: about 3 weeks

UK Theatre Network: Which is your favorite character to perform amongst the 4 scenes you play?

Johnny: Oh definitely the actors agent. He’s a great one to play and just takes over.

UK Theatre Network: Yes, he seems ready to go, you could make a movie on him alone!

Johnny Williamson is originally from Tipperary, he travelled around the states studying acting and returned to Dublin in 2008. He is currently represented by Julian Benson.

Keeping Up Appearances

Darlington Civic Theatre

Staging a theatre production of Roy Clarke’s classic television sit-com, Keeping Up Appearances, is an ambitious undertaking. Already our theatres have been swamped with a plethora of such shows, including Dinnerladies, Dad’s Army, Porridge, ’Allo, ’Allo and Last of the Summer Wine, and one wonders how long this appetite for gems of the small screen transferring to the stage will last.

Yet, The Comedy Theatre Company’s production has a lot going for it. Firstly, the original writer, Roy Clarke, has written an entirely new script especially for the stage. This is a big advantage over many of the others, which are merely four half-hour episodes performed in succession. Secondly, a stellar cast has been assembled and the characterisations are as near as you could possibly hope to get. Indeed, there are no weak links to be found in this production.

Rachel Bell has the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of Patricia Routledge as the social-climbing supersnob Hyacinth Bucket (pronounced Bouquet, if you don’t mind!). From the instant she appears, from the rear of the stalls, she nails the part and has the audience in the palm of her hand.

Former ’Allo, ’Allo star Kim Hartman is superb as nervy next-door-neighbour Elizabeth and Brookside’s Steven Pinder is a suitably highly-strung Emmet. Gareth Hale only needs to shuffle onto the stage, as Onslow, to generate laughter, whilst Christine Moore is great as the slovenly Daisy. Debbie Arnold completes the line-up of principal characters as the lascivious Rose. Her performance should, perhaps, carry a government health warning as I’m sure she had an extraordinary effect on the blood pressure of more than a few men in the audience.

Two new characters appear in the play – Mr Milson (David Janson), a computer geek and plaything for Rose, and Mrs Debden (Sarah Whitlock), the formidable chair of the local charity committee.

Fans of the original television series will not be disappointed by this hugely enjoyable production, And for that matter, neither will anyone else.

Steve Burbridge.

Runs until Saturday 17^th July 2010.

Eyes Front!

Darlington Arts Centre

Singer and broadcaster Isla St Clair has collaborated with film-maker Patrick King in an exciting combination of live performance and archive footage about the effect of music in wartime, Eyes Front!

Isla performed a selection of songs, some instantly recognisable and others which were less familiar, ranging from Napoleonic times through to the popular hits that were born out of two World Wars. The quality of her voice - which combined clarity and purity - not only did justice to each of the songs but also made the ballads, in particular, hauntingly beautiful. Her renditions of ‘The Scottish Soldier’ and ‘When The Pipers Play’ were two notable highlights.

In addition to performing the songs, with only her guitar for accompaniment, Isla also told the fascinating stories behind them. Tales of heartache and separation lay behind many, others were used to make political points and some clung to the promise of peace in the future.

Patrick King used film clips to illustrate the importance of songs and music during wartime, and explain their effect upon the everyday lives of both soldiers and civilians. His encyclopaedic knowledge of the methods employed in filming warfare through the ages provided a multitude of fascinating insights.

  Eyes Front! is a deeply affecting show that evokes feelings of pride and patriotism. Indeed, it is impossible not to feel humbled by the sacrifices made by all those who have fought in defence of the freedom and liberty of our green and pleasant land.

Steve Burbridge.

Macbeth is currently showing in the Abbey Theatre until May 15^th, 2010. Directed by Jimmy Fay, written by William Shakespeare and starring award winning actress Eileen Walsh you can almost hear the sounds of footsteps running to the Abbey to buy tickets but overall I would have to say, unless you are studying it in school/college you won’t walk away with a life changing or brilliantly entertaining night.

 

The stage design, costume and theatrics are second to none, as are all of the Abbey’s productions but in raising the question “how many times have we all come across Shakespeare Macbeth” I was hoping to be brought on a journey that wowed me but instead I was brought on the typical theatrical production of Macbeth, which was disappointing.

 

Eileen Walsh takes on the role of Lady Macbeth but I couldn’t help thinking that the role must have been insultingly easy for her. I think we all would have loved to see her explore more areas of Lady Macbeth particularly in the second half but unfortunately Fay left it unexplored which was disappointing. For those of you who are not familiar with Eileen Walsh, you might remember her in the Magdalene sisters (2002), where she played the role of “Crispina”.

 

Another well known face in there is Michael McElhatton who plays the role of Banquo. You may be familiar with McElhatton from starring in the hilarious “Fergus’s Wedding” and “Paths to Freedom” many moons ago as well as “Spin the bottle”. McElhatton’s stage presence is excellent and he commands the stage brilliantly, bringing us on the journey of a well thought, humble and Nobel gentleman, almost overshadowing the lead.

 

Oh by the way the programme is something definitely worth grabbing. The arts council have a page in their letting you know that you (the tax payer) contributed €75 million in 2009 to the Arts council (that’s about €1 a week for every household) to fund the arts in the country. Nice work!

 

For more information on this production or to book your tickets if you’re going to go along to see it visit: http://www.abbeytheatre.ie/whats_on/event/957

 

Venue:	The Abbey Theatre
Dates	7th April – 15th May 2010
Time	7.30pm (2pm matinee on Saturdays)
Price	€13 - €38 (Book online and get 2 for 1)
Booking Line	(01) 8787222

 

Robin Stewart
UK Theatre Network/Irish Reviewers   

 

 

A DOLL'S HOUSE by Henrik Ibsen

A New Version by Alan Stanford based on a literary translation by Paul Larkin

Alan Stanford takes on Henrik Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House” at the Helix Theatre, DCU and is showing there until the 27th of November 2009.

A Dolls house is a play centred around Nora- A housewife and mother of two set in 1879. (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Doll's_House )

This play explores the feminine housewife role in the late 1800’s and brings us on a journey of what seems like a ditzy blonde housewife which turns into a story about a smart woman with dark secrets. As we are introduced to the basic set design/home of the Helmers we are introduced to the role of husband and wife and the hilarious but business like relationship between Nora and her husband Torvald played by Lisa Lambe and Peter Gaynor, superbly. As the play unravels we discover dark secrets, which as the plot unfolds we begin taking a frantic and daunting journey with the central character. How will she keep her secrets or what will be the consequence of keeping them? This play explores blackmail, deceit, love, friendship and betrayal.

Overall this play didn’t offer an exhilarating thrill. It seemed like the perfect play to take your grandparents to though!

Robin Stewart
Irish Reviewers

1pm shows– 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th & 27th November

8pm shows- 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 17th, 19th, 20th, 24th, 26th & 27th November
Venue: The Helix Theatre, DCU
Tickets: €24 (conc. €22)
Weblink: http://www.thehelix.ie/2009_Q4/SecondAge.htm

‘Arina’-The reluctant tyrant in question, a poor servant girl, who marries into a family a class above her. Who then works tirelessly, to build a property and land empire, ruling her new family with a ‘velvet-glove’ that only a true matriarch can.

Spawning three sons, Steven, Peter and Paul, and expanding her empire, at the expense of all else, including her own salvation. The death of the prodigal son-Steven, makes Arina rethink her life and relinquishes her power, divides up the empire, to her remaining sons and moves out to seek a better life.

The ensuing collapse, deaths and hopelessness’ of her family to carry on the family empire, see Arina once again return to the head of the family, to save what is left.  The final scene of the play is Arina’s; played by Marie Mullen, Tour de force performance, and had me quaking in my boots.

Inspired by a 19^th Century novel – The Golovlyov family by Mikhail Saltykov-Shehedrin it emphasises the futility of greed and religious insincerity. Using the dramatic effect of playwrights such as Anton Chekhov, the long speeches and the characters physicality, help develop the underlying tension, and unsaid thoughts and dreams of all on stage.

The play set over a 10 year period, includes a large ensemble cast who all play their parts well. This all helps to establish an epic Brechtian feel to the piece.

Steven-played by Darragh Kelly gives a wonderfully extravagant performance, as the long-lost son, who has been living the life of excess for many years. The other two brothers; Peter played by Declan Conlon, develops a sinister and pious character, whilst Paul played by Frank McCusker as the under-valued son both play their parts well. One other fine performance, was from Anna played by Janice Byrne, a joy to behold on stage.

The play has a ‘Groundhog day’ feel, with events continually repeating them selves. Tom Murphy’s writing is epic, which makes the show nearly 3 hours long.

Tom Piper’s set, with large planks of wood towering over the stage, creates a very masculine back-drop, where only the strongest survive. These multi-layered sets have been seen in other productions lately namely: Solemn Mass for a Full Moon and Jason Byrne’s The Comedy of Errors. This helps to use the space to great effect, allowing the family ghost to re-appear as if to prick the conscious of the remaining characters. The lightening too, by Ben Ormerod, works magically to transform the stage from one scene to another.

Overall the show is an enthusiastically played piece, leaving you breathless at the end. The epic nature of the writing and acting, builds to a magnificent climax, where only the reluctant tyrant could survive

Location:  The Abbey Theatre, Dublin
Dates : 27 May – 11 July
Time: 7:30
Tickets: From €15-€35
Bookings: +353 878 7222

 

 

 

The Duchess of Malfi

Produced by Black Sun Theatre Company

Directed by Jemma Gross

The White Bear Theatre Club

Black Sun Theatre Company gives us a stark, modern Malfi, free of the omnipresent trappings of Fringe Jacobean drama. Gone are the inevitable cobbled together outfits and period costumes, and in their place we are treated to sharp suited nobles, prowling an economical but effective white space.

What stood out for me in this production was director Jemma Gross’s courage in approaching the text, and her refusal to adulterate the less popular themes of the play, instead remaining true to many of the original Jacobean viewpoints. This Duchess is a naïve, spoilt royal, unaccustomed to taking responsibility and ignorant of consequences. Ferdinand and the Cardinal – monsters though they may be – are genuinely wronged by their sister’s betrayal, and this is the first time I have seen a production that examines this. Gross is unafraid to embrace the darker aspects of the play, which is greatly to the production’s credit.

This is a tremendously committed, energetic and talented young cast. Trudy Hodgson’s Duchess and Bethany Audley’s Cariola exhibit terrific chemistry throughout the play, teasing Antonio and creating a true friendship. Henry Doulton’s foppish Antonio gives us the sense of a man swept up in events beyond his control, along with Sam Child’s likeable and excellently judged Delio. Alex Tanner brings a powerful, brooding Cardinal. Steven Rostance and Paul Mooney play a terrific comic double act as well as multiple characters, with Mooney’s Doctor a highlight. The excellent Jack Cole fills in the peripheral roles, and particularly excels in a gleeful portrayal of a demented lunatic. Rose Romain plays a wonderful Julia, strutting her way across the stage like a splash of blood.

However, the most watchable scenes for me were the ones between James Rose’s conflicted, tortured Bosola, and David Fensom’s brilliant Ferdinand. Bosola is a tremendously difficult character to play, and Rose tackles him perfectly, showing a man torn between his greed and his conscience. Fensom’s Ferdinand is a revelation – funny, sexually ambiguous, sadistic – and tremendously enjoyable to watch.

The Duchess of Malfi is a difficult play, and I’m always curious to see how theatre companies approach staging the trickier aspects of the piece. Jemma Gross deals with devices such as the wax corpses and copious violence with sensitivity, never allowing the production to swerve into Grand Guignol. This production is clever, well-played, intelligently directed, and certainly worth the trip to the White Bear.