‘A Life’ by Hugh Leonard
‘A Life’ was Hugh Leonard’s follow up to his hit play ‘Da’ which we featured in this column early last year. Written in 1981, this poignant, dark comedy, features a secondary character from ‘Da’, that of Desmond Drumm.
Set in Dalkey in 1977 and 1937, the play with a cast of eight (4m/4f), is made up of two couples both in their early 20’s and in their 60’s. There’s Drumm and his wife Dolly and Drumm’s lifetime friends, Kearns and his wife Mary.
As a result of his visit to the local doctor, Drumm calls upon Mary and Lar Kearns, friends from whom he has been estranged, in an attempt to assess himself, his life and to discover, in his own words, what he amounts to. During one unremarkable day, he strives to ‘total his sums, to demand an audit to know what he amounts to’.
Drumm is a bitterly cynical civil servant who now finds himself facing death and so, decides to make peace with his lifetime friends (Mary and Kearns) with whom he has not spoken to for six years.
Moving between 1977 and 1937, we see the young foursome as youths and seniors. We also see what makes Desmond (Drumm) bitter as he drives Mary (the only woman he truly loved) into the arms of Kearns while he himself settles for Dolly.
The play is filled with droll wit and biting insults from Desmond who uses his command of language and ascorbic wit to attack others as a means of self-defence. He now realises of course that the insults have cost him friendships.
‘A Life’ is a character driven drama with outstanding performances, stinging dialogue that is darkly humorous and poignant. It is also a cautionary tale, warning us that the power of words, especially insults, can be devastating.
Ed Smith, presenter on Today FM radio with ‘Songs of Praise’ and ‘Ed’s National Anthems’, considers himself a very lucky man!
Two years ago, he attended Electric Picnic and was staying in a local hotel when he suddenly felt very unwell. He was rushed to James’ Hospital where he had a procedure to insert two life-saving stents.
He says if someone had said to him September 2nd 2019 that he would survive and that in two years time there would a little’un to take care of as well, he would have said “Go away! You’ll give me another heart attack!”.
Ed, however, is so glad things worked out as they did. The heart attack did turn his life around in a positive way. He began to live a healthier lifestyle and a lot of maturing and growing up followed.
The presenter grew up in County Cork and now lives in Castlebar with his partner Michelle, who gave birth to their son one month ago. They met through his radio show.
Michelle, too, bounced back after a thyroid cancer scare some years ago. Both of them are fighting fit now and charmed with their lovely bundle of joy, born in lockdown.