One Act Season - Irish Theatre Players

The Irish Theatre Players One Act Season is a short run of three very different one act plays. Featuring Irish Theatre Players’ wonderful hospitality, the three shows offer great variety and are being well received by the audience.

Edward Albee’s Zoo Story is one of the strongest short plays of the year, and I would not be surprised to see it featured heavily, come awards season. Directed with sensitivity by Michael McCall, the set consists of a single bench. Outstanding performances from Grant Malcolm as Peter, hoping to have a quiet afternoon in the park with his book, and from Patrick Downes as Jerry, a compelling personality with a very different agenda. Excellent counterplay and convincing New York accents add to this very strong performance.

Local writer and director Noel O’Neill has produced several seasons of plays set on a park bench, and this latest offering, Two Birds with One Stone, although longer than most in this series, could fit nicely into this succession. Set in a cemetery, in front of the temporary headstone of a priest, two brothers reflect on recent events. Covering some controversial events including the abuse of children by Catholic Priests, this play hits hard at times. Solid performances from Aidan Murphy as Seamus and John McCarthy as Shaun.

The final offering, after interval, is The Fat Lady Sings in Little Grimley, written by David Tristram and directed by Christine Ellis. Set at successive committee meetings of a declining amateur theatre company in a small village, we follow what happens when a company is on its last legs. Fun follows as the committee members act in desperation. Peter Foley makes a promising theatrical debut as committee chairperson Gordon. He is well supported by Tim Riessen as Bernard, in one of my favourite roles of his to date - lovely laconic delivery, by Denise Byrne as Margaret, with convincing characterisation and by Pamela Allen Chang, who is good fun as Joyce. While the delivery is at times uncertain and this play sometimes feels a little undercooked, anyone who has served on a theatre committee, will find things to like in this production.

A very well curated short play season, Irish Theatre Players offer something for all tastes.

Kimberley Shaw