| Theatre and Gig Reviews THEATRE
REVIEW
The Aristocrats
By Catriona Campbell
From the opening curtain of Brian Friel’s The Aristocrats, I am in Ballybeg
in 1970s Ireland.
The expansive staging is evocative of lost summer days as we follow Friel’s
chronicle of the O’Donnell family as they reunite for a wedding. The crumbling
house is representative of the end of an opulent lifestyle as we, like the
inquisitive Tom Hoffnung, study the family and the displacement of the Big
House, and this family, in Irish society.
The use of Hoffnung as a thesis writer studying “the upper strata of
rural Ireland society” is a ploy by Friel to provide the audience with insight
to this fading way of life. It is through Hoffnung’s interrogations that
we realise that the fantasy, bohemian-like tales the family recite are in
fact false.
Coupled with the honesty with which director Cairns treats his characters,
we realise that each of the siblings have struggled to find their place
in today’s world, indeed, as Alice, the willing alcoholic laments, they
are “not fit for anything”.
This all may sound a bit too serious, but there is much to enjoy about
one of Friel’s most famous plays. While the pace of the play, at times,
is something of a slow-burner, this makes the interruption of Chopin’s music
even more striking, and the limited action makes for some great conversations.
This is a sterling cast, bypassing even one’s expectations of a National
Theatre production. However it is Andrew Scott as the eccentric Casimir
who particularly shines — his portrayal of the lonely son of the house is
one that evokes both pathos and humour, particularly the poignant scenes
with Eamon, eminently played by Peter McDonald.
Overall, the quality of this production makes it well worth a look.
Starring Andrew Scott, Peter McDonald and Dervla Kirwan and Gina McKee.
For ticket details call the National Theatre box office on 020 7452 3000.
COMEDY REVIEW
David O’Doherty — Grown Up, Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh
By Richard Purden
David O’Doherty has an old-fashioned and surreal sense of humour reflecting
on experiences and relationships that almost anyone can relate to.
He’s a regular visitor to the Edinburgh Festival and has won countless
awards but unlike other reams of comedians, who use the festival as a springboard,
O’Doherty doesn’t seem to have a careerist bone in his body. Happy with
his lot he seems to care little when a boozy punter in the front row falls
asleep during his act — gifting him some hilarious improve.
He looks ripe for inheriting Terry Wogan’s mantle on Radio 2 with a haircut
that hasn’t been seen around since the late 1970s — but after all this is
a show packed with nostalgia.
As he approaches 30, O’Doherty considers what advice he would give himself
15 years ago at the age of 14.
“Don’t spend five years of your life waiting on that second Stone Roses
album — it’s not that good.”
It’s the kind of humour that those of his generation will relate to,
like receiving texts from his mother in Dublin who is learning to use a
mobile phone. His family pet Florence the cocker spaniel features in one
of his many Ben Folds style musical interludes, displaying O’Doherty’s self-confessed
gift for songwriting.
Surprisingly as a Dubliner, his favourite place is Belfast revealing
his childlike view of the city was not to associate it with the Troubles
but a place where you could obtain fruit-flavoured Polos. Hilariously he
talks about his namesake, a mathematician who has little time for O’Doherty’s
antics when he encourages fans to bombard his internet rival’s website.
It’s refreshing that he doesn’t have to pick on the audience or drag
his act through the gutter to get a laugh — his set is a fantastic mix of
wholesome humour mixed with sharp observation that has the audience completely
losing control.
|
