DOLLY WEST'S KITCHEN: McGuinness: Leicester Haymarket, till 17th Novmember
Leicester
DOLLY WEST'S KITCHEN: Frank McGuinness
Leicester Haymarket: Tkts 0116 253 9797
Runs: 2h 35m: till Sat 17 November
Review: Rod Dungate, 7 November 2001
Engaging, enlightening, earthy humour and something to say that couldn't be more timely nor more valid.
Eire may have been independent during World War II but, judging by Frank McGuinness's play, its inhabitants were much affected by it. It is refreshing to find McGuinness offers all his characters a path leading to a better and happier future. Or perhaps it is just that he's expressing the optimism people felt Hitler having been defeated and is inviting us to see how we are in danger of squandering their sacrifices.
The play takes place in Rima West's house in Donegal – she lives here with her two daughters (Dolly and Esther), her gay son (Justin), Esther's husband and a live-out maid. Into the house come English Alec (an ex-affair of Dolly's) and two GIs – one straight and one gay.
Against the back-drop of war – tension heightened by the Irish political situation – the younger people work out their destinies having to sort out a lot of personal baggage on the way. The old lady, Rima, watches over all, seeing reality within the relationships the others hardly know themselves and knowing that the world is on the brink of destroying itself.
Rima is one gem of a part. Her desire to speak her mind whatever the consequences gives rise to much earthy humour – 'Shit flies higher when you hit it with a stick' she says, looking as if Irish butter wouldn't melt in her mouth. Ann Rye wastes no opportunity and is every mother we never had, always wanted, and certainly couldn't live with if we did have.
Aislinn Mangan's Dolly is intriguing. Well educated, intelligent, a mind of her own yet we feel her inner sadness. David Leonard's Alec Redding is a perfect foil for her – he looks and sounds as English as she looks and sounds Irish. He has all the camp of the upper-class Englishman and a perfect accent too.
Chook Sibtain is totally engaging as the gay GI, Marco. I was never entirely at home with his early outrageous queen performance but we learn, later, that neither is Marco, himself. In the first half he and Justin (Jonjo O'Neill) have what must be the shortest and most understated love scene in theatre – and a super moment it is.
Cast:
Dolly West: Aislinn Mangan
Rima West: Ann Rye
Esther Horgan: Stella Madden
Justin West: Jonjo O'Neill
Ned Horgan: Gary Lilburn
Anna Owens: Veronica Leer
Alec Redding: David Leonard
Marco Delvicario: Chook Sibtain
Jamie O'Brien: Antony Hickling
Director: Paul Kerryson
Designer: Adrian Rees
Lighting: Chris Ellis
Sound: Scott George
2001-11-08 11:07:50