Ballyturk is back... and it’s as manic as ever
The all-too brief life of Francis Ledwidge gets an emotional retelling
‘Ledwidge comes alive... turning the poet of birdsong in Slane into a writer’
Ledwidge New Theatre until March 11
Because of his early death, Francis Ledwidge, became almost a footnote in Irish literature and history, but he’s one of the more interesting people associated with the First World War and 1916. I suspect many only know him through his poem, Lament for Thomas MacDonagh, a one-time standard in Irish schools, more because it was about MacDonagh, executed in 1916, than for Ledwidge, killed at Ypres a year later.
Ledwidge, from a poor family in Slane, had a strong commitment to workers’ rights and Irish independence, yet joined the British Army at the outbreak of the war for reasons that are not totally clear. The play suggests it was a mixture of social pressure, his being broken-hearted over the marriage of his great love Ellie Vaughey, mental confusion over the Allied cause or possibly loyalty to his employer and the supporter of his writing, Lord Dunsany.
But the play is also clear about his admiration for James Connolly and his anger at the executions after the Rising.
The pace and dialogue were a bit ponderous up to the time when Ledwidge is being courtmartialled for insubordination.
At that point the dialogue improves, and Ledwidge comes alive as a person, especially when his poems and enigmatic character develop through his wartime experiences in Gallipoli and Flanders, turning the poet of birdsong in Slane into a writer with a tougher streak.
Ethan Dillon is excellent as Ledwidge and Ian Meehan creates an impressive character as his friend Timmie, and later as Lord Dunsany, especially when Dunsany drops the legalistic persona of an unfeeling officer.
The facts of Ellie’s tragic life add emotional depth when Ledwidge finds himself caught between his feelings for his new love Shivvie (Katie O’Kelly) while he’s haunted by memories of Ellie. Amy O’Dwyer is convincing as the passionate Ellie, but could do with a slightly more spectral presentation to capture the poignancy of her ghostly figure reciting Ledwidge’s poems.
For touring details go to thenewtheatre.com