DANCING AT LUGHNASA. To 21 May.
Newcastle-under-Lyme
DANCING AT LUGHNASA
by Brian Friel
New Vic Theatre To 21 May 2005
Mon-Sat 7.30pm no performance 12,16 May
BSL Signed 11 May
Runs: 2hrs 45min. One interval
TICKETS: 01782 717962
www.newvictheatre.org.uk
Review: Ranjit Khutan: 30th April 2005
Strong performances in revival of complex but rewarding play.Set in Ireland in the 1930s, Brian Friel's award winning play is a haunting tale about five sisters searching for happiness.
Seven-year-old Michael lives with his husband-less mother and her four sisters in the lonely hills of 1930s County Donegal. Two arrivals disturb their lives - brother Jack returns, malaria-ridden from 25 years as a missionary in Africa; and Michael's philandering father Gerry appears, a charming Welshman whose every word is a joke, a song or a lie.
It's the time of the old Celtic festival of Lughnasa (pronounced 'loo-na-ssa') with its bonfires, drinking and dancing. But, as the sisters prepare to celebrate, emotional and economic storms threaten to tear the family apart.
As soon as the play begins the sister's different personalities are brought to the fore as we see Chris examining her reflection in the mirror stating how drab and pale she looks and how she needs more colour. This sets the tone for the piece and begins Michael's reflective journey of that summer in 1936.
The modern world is having an impact on their simple existence and the cracks soon begin to show. In contrast to Chris who hopes for change in herself and the world around her, the mother-like elder sister Kate feels there is no need for change. Michael's direct address to the audience provides further insight into the events we hear and see in the kitchen and around the house.
Michael is never seen on the set is his memory now so detached from experience, is he still trying to work out what happened that summer, or is he retelling this story to finally lay it to rest?
The players find their ways through a complex script with ease and all provide moving performances. At times the play's dense texture is evident but each line is so well crafted that meaning soon becomes clear.
Marianne March's Maggie brings welcomed humour to this play and her energy and confidence is well paced throughout. This is given more energy through juxtaposition with Caitriona Hinds' stern and earthy Kate. Both these characters are very different to Pauline Shanahan's Rose, whose concerns and thoughts are more introverted a difficult part to play but one that Shanahan captures with ease.
An interesting insight into rural life in Ireland at a time of great social and economic change.
Chris: Alison Darling
Kate: Caitriona Hinds
Michael: Paul Lloyd
Gerry: David Lyndon
Maggie: Marianne March
Agnes: Melanie MacHugh
Rose: Pauline Shanahan
Father Jack: Peter Shorey
Director: Gwenda Hughes
Designer: Mathew Wright
Lighting: David Plater
Sound: James Earl-Davis
Choreographer: Beverley Edmunds
Voice Coach: Mark Langley
2005-05-04 01:49:31