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drinks Monday 2 June 08
DUBLIN ... Colman Higgins describes the scope and history of Dublin Gay Theatre Festival ... and reviews two of its shows ... Down Dangerous Passes Road ... Confessions of A Mormon Boy /// LONDON ... film on now ... La Question Humaine / Heartbeat Detector /// BRIGHTON ... It's on till 26 May and here's at least 20 Things you might want to know about Brighton Fringe /// PEOPLE ... Who was there at Fringe Report's First Monday 5 May - photographs & article /// CULTURE ... One Culture ... film screening 30 May booking now ... details
The Drowning Room
Verdict: Queerbasher's father faces victim's friends
Dublin Gay Theatre Festival 06 Andrew's Lane Studio 1-6 May
Friends of Sean, a gay man beaten to death, meet in a forest to scatter his ashes - after his attackers have been given a lenient sentence. But they are joined by the father of one of the attackers - Breno - who has come to 'pay his respects'.
He is allowed to stay, but is attacked by most present for not having provided enough evidence for justice to be done. Breno tries to explain his son's side of the story and finally, he reads out a detailed account of the attack and offers it to Sean's brother, Cillian. But Cillian chooses to burn it on the ashes rather than use it for a retrial. He includes Breno in a final ritual.
The play lasts for 90 minutes without an interval, but is so well-written that it holds the attention throughout. Most of the cast perform well - Bren Barnett is particularly good as Conor, Seans former lodger. The ending is moving and enthralling particularly the ritual at the very end, where Cillian applies lip-gloss to all present. It's almost like the Catholic communion ceremony, with a fascinating pause before also applying it to Breno.
Leo, a bitchy-queen character, sends the audience into hysterics, but is a little too over the top in the early stages. And the part of Breno needs a more multi-dimensional performance.
Overall though, it's a good first production of an excellent new play.
Cast Credits: (alpha order): Conor Bren Barnett. Breno Eamonn Doyle. Bob Simon Fogarty. Leo Declan Gillick. Cillian Patrick McGrann. Kevin Gordon Mahon. Maura - Elaine Reddy.
Company Credits: Director - Nuala Kelly. Author Verity-Alicea Mavenawitz. Casting Assistance from The Attic Studio and Crooked House. Company - Three Wise Women.
END
(c) Colman Higgins 2006
reviewed May 06 / Andrew's Lane Studio
Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2008
