Oisín McKenna, 'Gays Against the Free State!': The Full Picture

Liberation means assimilation in this thoughtful portrayal of post-Marriage Equality Ireland. Photo: Matthew Mulligan.

Smock Alley Theatre, Tiger Dublin Fringe Festival

Sep 21-24

A quick review of Gays Against the Free State! by Oisín McKenna coming up just as soon as I yell "yaaaasssss" at someone in blackface ...

Fishamble, 'Spinning': Modern Family

The truth of contemporary family life is on Deirdre Kinahan's mind. However, the line between rationality and irrationality feels problematised. 

Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin Theatre Festival

Oct 3-12

My review of Spinning by Deirdre Kinahan coming up after the jump ...

Sugarglass Theatre and Gillen & Belling Productions, 'LAPSE'

With almost sorcerous sensibility, Sugarglass realise magician Shane Gillen's performance about memory. 

Smock Alley Theatre

July 3-12

I've never reviewed a magic show before but I thought LAPSE was worth a few words. Plus, it's co-produced by Sugarglass Theatre, whose work I often admire. 

Through the lens of memories of his deceased grandfather Roddy, magician Shane Gillen's performance explores memory, its substance and transference. His tricks have audience members participate in mind-bending illusions - how he stays a step ahead of the crowd is a mystery. 

With production support by Sugarglass Theatre, Marc Atkinson and Colm McNally continue to provide effervescent design. Atkinson isolates the different acts with an almost sorcerous sensibility, instilling a space obscured by smoke and mystically transformed by incandescent lighting. 

If you are to consider it dramaturgically, you might think Gillen's references to memory theorists and scientists, while heavy handed and not easily absorbed, to be filler between tricks rather than making any considerable point. The finale is also one of the few predictable moments in the evening. 

I wouldn't let it restrain you. Gillen is magnetic, his tricks maddening and unquestionably convincing. Even if his explorations of memory mightn't materialise fully, LAPSE will certainly stay with you for a long time.

What did everybody else think?

Jessica Carri, 'Adventures in Failure'

Concept crushes content in Jessica Carri's physical theatre production.

Smock Alley Theatre

Mar 24-29

I don't have much to say about Adventures in Failure. 

Jessica Carri's production sees three mute individuals in the store room of a lamp shop scrap and scuffle. 

It's unclear what the consequences are of such actions. The problem is in its physicality. Carri has envisioned a wordless romp but the movement is so fuzzy and incoherent that it's hard to derive anything from it. When meaning does reach us, it feels like nothing is at stake.

In terms of design, a guileless guitar track loses its swagger trying to lead us through. The luminosity of Aaron Kelly's set and lighting, however, has a spark to it.

Adventures has the feel of a theatre graduate's production, teeming with theories about form and non-traditional theatre (and before we roll our eyes, let's admit that those of us who studied theatre in college have done the same). I hold out for the day that Carri does bring me on an adventure that is successful in experiencing theatre differently.

What did everybody else think?