As luck would have it, I am working from home today. Thanks to a mishap with my toilet, I needed to call a plumber to repair the flush on my throne. It is a far more efficient idea than the temporary practise of flushing with a bucket of water. This allowed me to sit in my pyjamas and plot my strategy. Continue reading Theatrical: I know what I am talking about
Yesterday was the final rehearsal in the studio for my looming play ‘Mother’s Little Treasure’. Next weekend is the get-in to the theatre. When the fun and frolics begin in earnest. As luck would have it Dublin is on total lockdown next weekend as the Pope is in town. He’ll be doing two gigs – one in the Phoenix Park for half a million faithful; and the other in Croke Park for 80,000 people. The entire city centre is shut from about 8am on Saturday morning, until midnight on Sunday night. Highly inconvenient for an atheist trying to carry the set for a play, to a theatre for a Tuesday premiere. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Mother’s little treasure’
During lunch break today I sat at my desk browsing the internet (my brow furrowed while doing so, in case anyone passing thought I was slacking). I read a heart-breaking story about a mother and her six children seeking refuge in Tallaght Garda Station for the night, because there were no available emergency beds through homeless services. As there are currently 10,000 people in Ireland officially homeless (including 4000 children), the housing crisis has escalated to emergency levels. Continue reading The occupation of 35, Summerhill Parade
In February 2017, Firedoor Theatre held one of their successful ‘Uncut’ evenings at the Pearse Centre in Dublin. This is a regular showcase event where writers, actors, directors are given a platform to try out material. If you have written a piece then you can stage it. A particular monologue you’ve always wanted to try out in front of an audience – well here is your opportunity. Continue reading The return of ‘Mother’s Little Treasure’
My original tickets were for Friday July 20th. However as I was sunning myself in Malta on that date, somebody else got the use of them. Having seen his previous play ‘Town is Dead’, I was keen to see Irish playwright Phillip McMahon’s latest work ‘Come on home’ at the Peacock Theatre. I booked a new ticket for last night. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘Come on home’
Last night I went to see ‘The Laramie Project’ – the final production by the students at the Gaiety School of Acting. Based on the 2000 play by Moisés Kaufman and the Tectonic Theater Project, about the reaction to the 1998 homophobic murder of gay University of Wyoming student Matthew Shepard in the small town of Laramie. The play draws on hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company with inhabitants of the town, journal entries, and published news reports. Last night ten actors portrayed more than sixty characters in a series of short scenes. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘The Laramie Project’
It is such an uplifting feeling to march with thousands of your own kind, through the city streets, dressed in all our gaudy finery, with our fists in the air, celebrating our strength. Continue reading Pride makes me happy
*UPDATE* June 1st 2022 – the following post is from 2018. Last year for Pride, some male managers dressed up in drag – remotely. I shudder to think what this year will bring.
The rainbow flag fluttered proudly in the breeze as I approached the office. I entered the building. Someone had been busy overnight. The lobby was festooned with rainbow flags and balloons. Gay Pride had reached the Wastelands and my office was celebrating. Continue reading Wastelands Pride
Currently in preview at the Gate Theatre is the stage adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s book ‘The Snapper’. The official opening is on Wednesday 20th June. Theatrical etiquette rules that reviewers don’t review plays until opening night. Preview shows are intended to allow the director and the cast to iron out any last minute issues with the play. I am going to ignore that rule – for the simple reason that I paid full whack for my preview ticket (no freebies for regular audience members). As the show I saw, was the fourth preview performance, if they are not about 99% stage ready by this point then they never will be. Continue reading Theatrical: ‘The Snapper’ at the Gate
Friday evening was spent at the theatre – the final evening show for ‘25/The Decriminalisation Monologues’ at Outhouse. Having written one of the monologues – ‘The Number’ – I had found it very difficult to watch my own piece initially. I was feeling a touch self-conscious and insecure about it. Not by Friday however. I had gotten over my nerves and was able to sit back and enjoy the entire show. It was a privilege to be included in this project. It is important to remember how different this country was in the very recent past – how cold, hard and cruel it was to anyone who fell outside the boundaries of what was considered ‘normal’ by mainstream society. How it crushed many people. But how people resisted and pushed back, eventually transforming the social landscape. I hope there will be continued life in ‘The Decrminaliation Monologues’ as it gives an insight to young people about those who fought, although their struggle is largely unknown to younger people. Continue reading Showbiz trooper
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