THE HISTORY OF THE TROUBLES (ACCORDING TO MY DA). To 28 June.
London
THE HISTORY OF THE TROUBLES (ACCORDING TO MY DA)
by Martin Lynch and Grimes & McKee
Tricycle Theatre To 28 June 2003
Mon-Sat 8pm Mat Sat 4pm
Runs 1hr 30min No interval
TICKETS: 0171 328 1000
Review: Timothy Ramsden 4 June
Comic, yet moving, trip through recent history as lived on one estate.A generation passes, precisely, in this Troubled comedy, as our man Gerry begins in 1969 awaiting his son's birth, commenting on the then-new civil conflict in Northern Ireland. And ends, post Good Friday agreement, wryly reflecting on how there's no more civil strife except the bombings, maimings, killings. He's back in the same hospital waiting room for his grandchild's birth: new life and hope amid stasis.
Through this time we've gone along with a trio of observers and sufferers of life Gerry, his self-certain neighbour Felix and hospital porter Fireball, an ever-smiling darts anorak. Whisked from illegal shebeen to prison cells, full of not-so-smart ideas (early on Felix awaits the Free State army marching in, ready to point out Protestants to them), the threesome resolutely survive with a shoulder-shrugging smile at what life's like, and the politicians who think they can control the problem from outside.
Bill Clinton's merrily insulted, but the threesome's hatred really focuses on Margaret Thatcher. However she upsets them with her government's handling of Ireland, it's the good old insults that count the early seventies 'milk-snatcher Thatcher' takes the blame.
Bar-propping philosophy, with an ease and vigour of insult, give the evening its character - and the contrasts between the reflective Gerry, Felix living on his nerves and happy-go-lucky Fireball.
Whatever - wherever they are, they're in it together. It's the outsiders who seem drained of life be it politicians or Gerry's older brother on his nerved-up flying visits with news of housing opportunities in safer districts.
Comic inspiration varies between scenes - some carried by the infectious energy and expert stylisation in the acting. There are glorious moments as when the three line up for the services of a Post-Traumatic Stress councillor, only to end up mightily cheered by their own impromptu singsong.
For these people's resilience amid the mix of intense misery and the normal run of pain life throws at them, gives the play its optimistic thrust. Set against a wall display of photo-images from the Troubles, the cast's human three dimensionality makes its own point.
Gerry Courtney: Ivan Little
Felix/Maggie/Goon etc: Alan McKee
Fireball/Colm/Andy etc: Conor Grimes
Director: Karl Wallace
Designer: David Craig
Lighting: Amy Smyth
2003-06-05 17:12:17