Don’t unravel when Granny is locked up

The play Selvage by James Riordan is launched this week in Inis Oirr, on a nationwide tour taking in 10 venues and finishing in Dublin’s Smock Alley. Selvage is a word meaning the first or last line of knitting, or an edge on fabric that prevents it unravelling. First performed here in 2019, the play is a funny piece of physical theatre, using puppetry and choreographed movement, with original live music from musician and composer Anna Mullarkey. It explores the themes of charity, self-help, religion and the avenues people trudge in an attempt to calm themselves and keep from unravelling when things don’t feel right. And, right now, Granny has been incarcerated and something is gnawing at Joe…

On its first outing the play was nominated for several awards, including Best Actor for James Riordan who also directs and performs with Brú Theatre (brutheatre.com) on the tour. unstable fable: Selvage explores how people stay calm

■ The Last Return runs at The Gate Theatre (Oct 13–Nov 5) as part of the Dublin Theatre Festival. Sonya Kelly’s comedy is about conflict, peace and the pursuit of theatrical territory. There’s just one last chance of a ticket to the hottest show in town and five people are in the queue. So who will walk away with the Last Return?