What I liked
This is some top drawer writing, to start with. A really fleshed out, fully realized story with characters that are 3 dimensional and complex. Add to that performances by all the actors of the highest integrity, and you have a story that keeps you fully engaged from start to finish. The actions of the characters are completely earned, regardless of your moral notions of the acts. The writer turns out to be a wonderful director as well, using the limitations of this intimate space to ultimate efficiency. It is a really Irish story… there’re rhymes, laughs, alcohol and tears – the lines of tale versus fact are tantalizingly blurred.
What I didn't like
Really, for what was presented, it was quite perfect. Ideally, a different space that could accommodate more of this play would be an interesting notion. Maybe, MAYBE (and I don’t want to give anything away, so I’ll be vague) a certain special effect thing could be more impactful with a bigger budget.
My overall impression
An absolute excellent use of an evening… one of the best things I’ve seen at the Fringe Festival ever! All the elements – writing, directing and acting – are there and of the highest caliber.
