DON’T WRITE OFF THIS AGEING ODD COUPLE!
Small things count in Deirdre Kinahan’s moving exploration of growing older
DPatricia is not quite the bouncing symbol of vigour she initially portrays
eirdre Kinahan must be the country’s most prolific playwright. The programme for Halcyon Days lists 12 new works by her in the past four years and still doesn’t name her full output. First produced 10 years ago, Halcyon Days remains an entertaining, thoughtful piece about a subject that never goes out of fashion – growing old and losing a sense of usefulness. Theatrically, it can be an excuse for sentimental nostalgia or introspective gloom. The play dabbles in both but never gives in fully to either stereotype and keeps things alive with gentle humour.
Here we have Barry McGovern as Seán, former actor, and Una Crawford O’Brien as Patricia, notquite-retired teacher, both living in a nursing home.
And Patricia, not easily pleased, is unimpressed by the place, her attitude summed up in her opening remark to Seán, ‘What are you in for?’ Shades of the prison house. Seán is not so critical, in fact he seems barely aware of anything going on around him as he slumps in his wheelchair waiting for tea to be delivered.
Such surrender is a challenge to Patricia’s snap-out-of-it teacherly routine aimed at getting him into shape.
But the roles don’t stay so rigidly set as the play proceeds.
Seán just needs a minimum of inspiration to get him at least thinking about living again. And while Patricia is not quite the bouncing symbol of vigour she initially portrays, Seán gradually faces life and reality with a modicum of enthusiasm.
His re-interest also gives McGovern an opportunity to give a beautifully gauged extract from Shakespeare’s Henry V, in a way that kills any idea that this character is beyond help.
One of the features of the production is the way both performers project their voices with great clarity, even in their quieter moments, something that’s not always the case nowadays.
The action is all about small revelations that reveal emotional undercurrents as the two personalities vie with each other about expected rescuers who have a habit of not turning up.
The dialogue switches from humour to occasional moments of activity and fear, but manages to keep sentimentality at bay.
However, there’s an element of clumsiness about the frequent switches between scenes as the pair go and return, that tends to upset the carefully built-up atmosphere, although the show remains an enjoyable clash of personalities equally scarred and equally in need of support.
Touring: Everyman Cork, Mar 21-23; Siamsa Tire, Tralee, Mar 26, 3pm & 8pm; Solstice, Navan, Mar 30; Táin, Dundalk, Mar 31; Town Hall, Cavan, Apr 1; Linen Hall, Castlebar, Apr 2.
An element of clumsiness about the frequent switches between scenes
Deirdre Kinahan’s second play showing this week is historical drama Outrage. It is about the role of women in the revolutionary wars – especially the Civil War – based on testimonies from women at the time. Outrage runs at The Pumphouse Dublin
Port, March 23 until April 3. It will also be available online on demand, April 14-23. Tickets are €15 from fishamble.com
X’ntigone continues at The Peacock theatre until March 26. Darren Murphy has condensed the Greek tragedy of Sophocles into a 70-minute two hander with modern aspects added to show its universal relevance. It explores the battle between X’ntigone (Eloise Stevenson) and her ruthless uncle King Creon (Michael James Ford) who is weaponising a plague that
has killed thousands and that has rocked the economy.
On one side is a leader with all the power, on the other side a young woman with nothing to support her but the natural law that she believes gives her the right to bury her brother, despite her uncle’s insistence that she obey a law she believes is immoral. It’s a situation in which truth is sacrificed to political expediency.
Our Shaman Of Dublin 1, a new play by Rex Ryan, directed and starring Ryan with Andy Kellegher (Game Of Thrones) will run at Glass Mask Theatre (Bestseller Cafe, 41 Dawson Street) from April 4-23, starting at 7pm. A lost soldier in a balaclava meets a retired, drunk psychologist for breakfast.
Seating is unassigned, and a table is included with the ticket. Optional pre-show food and drink are available. Doors open at 6pm. Tickets €22 (+€1 fee) from glassmasktheatre.com