(reviewed at Cork Midsummer Festival Saturday 27 June 2009)

Susurrus is an audio play, set on this occasion in Fitzgerald Park, a riverside park in Cork city. People are given headphones, an iPod with eight sets of monologues or 'acts', and a map pointing to eight spots in the park where it is suggested they listen to the monologues in sequence. While this may seem a logistical challenge, the operating technicalities are well-organised and easy to understand.

The story that emerges is of the dysfunctional family of an opera singer. It becomes more disturbing as a story of child abuse unfolds. Each of the monologues tells the story of past events in the present tense, from several points of view, but this second-hand viewpoint does not stop the tension in the story from building.

The writing is first-class, and while all the elements of the story appear confusing after the first act, it comes together in a complex but elegant symmetry by the end. In spite of the disturbing material, there is an overwhelming gentleness and calmness.

Part of this may be due to the setting. Being in a park is itself relaxing, and the opera music in the interludes between acts - when walking from location to location - soothes the nerves. While listening to the piece, one sees little things with one's eyes which provide a visual 'soundtrack' to the events in the story.

Cast Credits: (alpha order): Stewart Ennis - The Researcher. Paul Thomas Hickey - Moth. Karen Ramsey - The Singer. Wendy Seager - Helena.

Company Credits: Writer - David Leddy. Director - David Leddy. Recording and Mixing - Mike Lancaster. Artwork - Laura Molloy. Producer - Jayne Gross. Company - Fire Exit / David Leddy. Website - www.davidleddy.com.

END

(c) Colman Higgins 2009

reviewed Saturday 27 June 2009 / Fitzgerald Park, Cork, Ireland

Fringe Report (c) Fringe Report 2002-2012

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