Dublin By Lamplight
The
Liverpool Playhouse
May 15 – May 19
Author:
Michael West
Director: Annie Ryan
Producer: The Corn Exchange
Cast Includes: Louis Lovett, Janet Moran, Tom Jordan Murphy, Karen Egan,
Tadhg Murphy, Paul Reid.
2hrs
 |
Dublin By Lamplight Reviewed
Anybody who has a penchant for surreal minimalism mixed with a great deal
of fun is in for a rare treat with Annie Ryan’s production of Dublin
By Lamplight. Although the third-person narrative and the
stage being bare does take some getting used to initially, the ability
on offer most certainly does not.
It’s the opening night of Willy Hayes’s mythical opus but
the desperate struggle Willy and his colleagues face is political as
well as artistic, especially since Edward VII is visiting Dublin. Oh,
and Frank is scuttling about with a valise packed with explosives.
Louis
Lovett in the role of Willy is outstanding. Face painted and agile –
as are the entire cast – here is an actor with all the comic timing
and pathos of the great clowns of yesteryear, yet one who also understands
the power of mime and uses it with the effect of a wannabe Marceau.
Equally as adept in being able to wring the most out of his character is Tom Jordan Murphy who in playing the hammed-up thesp Martyn, manages to bring to mind every camp actor from Charles Haughtry to John Inman yet still remains a true one-off. His facial expression and ability to exchange roles at the drop of a hat is remarkable.
With Maggie (Moran) vieing for the main
female lead over the upper-class Eva St John (Egan) there are delicious
parodies of just about every musical ever written yet remains Joyce
in overdrive. How the great Irish author would have enjoyed its simplicity
and understated grandeur, however, is debateable.
9/10
Supported by Culture Ireland
Ten Days on the Island
Brighton Festival 8 -12 May
Playhouse
Liverpool 15 - 29 May
Lowry Quays, Salford
22 - 26 May
Newcastle
Northern Stage 29 May - 2 June
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break the rules as I see fit.” - Chris High 2003.