Since a large part of the text is based on real-life interviews, it has plenty of immediacy, particularly when individuals who have been perpetrators or victims of violence tell their stories. This is ultimately where the play’s best moments lie, particularly in the first half. There is no judgment – just someone’s story.

However, some other characters have a more second-hand relationship with terrorism – such as the colonel, the journalist, the ambassador, and a narrator who appears to be a psychologist. As a result, their monologues are not as attention-grabbing and can more easily trip into overtly political material.

One of the most successful parts of the piece is where the ex-IRA man tells his story interspersed with several IRA victims, because one sees both sides of the same conflict at the same time. By the same token, it may have been useful to see an Israeli perspective and a Palestinian one, for example, rather than the two Palestinians who appear instead.

The actors do a good job on most of the several characters given to each, but particularly Helen Norton, who is excellent in every role, and also David Pearse, Michael Grennell and Laurietta Essien.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Damien Devaney – Faiser (Muslim living in Luton), ex-Head Kurdish Workers’ Party, Matthew (MI6), Archbishop’s Envoy. Laurietta Essien – ex-member of the National Resistance Army of Uganda, Nadira (dancer from Uzbekistan), Ingrid (carer) & Marjory (cleaner). Michael Grennell – John Norton, Momsie (Muslim living in Luton), ex-member of the Al Aqsa Brigade, British Colonel (served in Sierra Leone). Chris McHallem – Edward, Michael (Foreign Office legal advisor), ex-Secretary of State. Padraic McIntyre – Jad (Muslim living in Luton), ex-member of the IRA, Dermot (Dublin Special Branch). Donna Nikolaisen – Phobe (relief worker), Rima (Lebanese journalist), Bethlehem schoolgirl. Helen Norton – ex-Secretary of State, Dublin waitress, Linda (MI6), Caroline (English landowner), Margaret. David Pearse – Aftab (Muslim living in London), ex-member of the UVF, ex-British Ambassador to Uzbekistan. Barya Shafaq – Second Palestinian girl.

Company Credits: Writer – Robin Soans. Director – Bairbre Ni Chaoimh. Assistant Director/Researcher – Ronan Phelan. Producer – Claire McEwen. Set Design – Moggie Douglas. Lighting Design – Eamon Fox. Costume Design – Catherine Fay. Sound Design – Denis Clohessy. Production Manager – Mairead McGrath. Production Administrator – Joanna Corscadden. Stage Director – Anne Layde. Stage Manager – Martin Cahill. Set Construction – Alan Clarke. Set Transport – Oddie Sherwin. Scenic Artists – Sandra Butler, Luca Mattanan. Wardrobe Assistant – Elmarie Collins. Hair/Make Up – Val Sherlock. Public Relations – Gerry Lundberg PR. Photographer – Tom Lawlor. Graphic Designer – hexhibit.com. Crews – Matt Ashauer, Mick Kelly, Kevin Smith, Kevin Treacy, Orla Kavanagh. Company - Calypso Productions presents

END

(c) Colman Higgins 2007

reviewed Friday, 23 March 07 / Samuel Beckett Theatre, Trinity College, Dublin.

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

www.fringereport.com