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Latest items? Unedited? Fringe Report Uncut
Homelands
Verdict: Odyssey through modern Ireland
Dublin Abbey Theatre 18 Jan to 18 Feb 06
Homelands is a tale of an accidental journey to redemption by a crooked communications consultant, through present-day Dublin.
The story is loosely based on the Irish myth of Oisin, who returns home from the land of eternal youth but is not allowed to touch the ground. If he does, he will revert to his true age.
Similarly, the communications consultant Gerry Newman (expertly played by Liam Carney), has had to leave Ireland after a bribery scandal, but returns from his Mediterranean villa to attend a meeting at Dublin airport. He is adamant that he cannot leave the airport complex, but he is tempted out by a party and after meeting a girl, he wakes up alone without any money or return ticket.
So he wanders around Dublin, meeting all manner of both strange and ordinary people, until finally he meets the girl again. She turns out to be a heroin addict on her last legs, who is seeking the daughter she gave up for adoption many years ago. In his first-ever selfless act, he helps her to find the daughter briefly a genuinely tear-jerking moment. As a result, she gives him the money to enable him to leave again.
The choreography of the group scenes is quite brilliant, particularly in the airplane, the fast-food restaurant, the phone shop and a crowd of junkies. Often Newman walks on the spot to give the impression of movement which works because there is so much other movement going on behind him. Many of the actors play multiple parts.
The play runs for 90 minutes straight through, and in the middle of the show one could do with an interval, but the climax is so touching that one doesnt feel the length by the end. Several characters particularly the corrupt builders who Newman used to work for - are mentioned regularly but never appear, which can be a little confusing.
Overall, Homelands is a well-rounded tale of a journey to redemption, with fantastic group choreography and an assortment of wonderful characters.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Andrew Bennett, Catherine Byrne, Liam Carney, Denis Conway, Katy Davis, Michael FitzGerald, Joe Hanley, Eamonn Hunt, Eleanor Methven, David Pearse, Gabrielle Reidy, Norma Sheahan.
Company Credits: Writer and Director Paul Mercier. Set & Lighting Design - Paul Keogan. Costume Design - Niamh Lunny. Original Music - Conor Linehan. Sound - Liz Fitzgerald. Producer - Abbey Theatre.
END
(c) Colman Higgins 2006
reviewed February 06 / Abbey Theatre, Dublin
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012
www.fringereport.com
