Writer & Director: Aisling Smith
Making my way through a sunny Temple Bar with a singer belting out ‘Summer in Dublin’ (Bagatelle) and a belly full of Elephant & Castle chicken wings, I’m happy and excited to finally visit The New Theatre, which I’ve heard so much about.
This magical, 66 seater was founded in 1997 by a vanguard of artistic visionaries led by Anthony Fox and Leanne Willars. Accessed via Connolly Books in the city’s historical quarter, it’s like entering Narnia through the wardrobe. The New Theatre is one of the most important platforms in Ireland’s drama scene today for supporting, promoting and showcasing emerging talent – from writers, directors and actors to creatives and technicians.
This evening’s offering, ‘OCD Me’, is presented by the Writer and Director’s own company, ‘Just Friends Theatre Collective’. Carrickmines native, Aisling Smith, has drafted a courageous, autobiographical piece based on her struggles with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Stepping out onto the bare stage and into character, Laura Whelan becomes inordinately likeable, 30 year old Sarah. Dressed simply in a black top under white overalls and with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she is reminiscent of a labourer, tasked with faithfully conveying to us the true difficulties and challenges of living with OCD. And during an hour-long monologue (feels more like half an hour) filled with anecdotes, humour, drama, dance and music, Whelan executes the job superbly.
The script is deeply personal, “Sorry, I’m just a bit stressed, this is my chance to tell you my story”. We learn of Sarah’s fear of contamination, of harm, of symmetry obsessions and hoarding obsessions. We hear how intrusive, recurring thoughts and compulsive, repetitive behaviours impact her life on a daily basis. “It’s like being bullied by myself” and she is “afraid all the time”. She cannot cope with “change, uncertainty or death”. The essence of Smith’s story and experience imbues every syllable and informs every twist and turn so much that I wonder if ‘Sarah’ should just have been ‘Aisling’.
Lighting and sound by designers Marie Hegarty and Ellen Kruger underscore the darker moments of panic attacks and nervous exhaustion. Choreography by Gemma Trimble is ingrained so completely as to appear entirely natural to the actor. She is a skilled physical performer. Michael McIntyre wouldn’t have a look in. Likewise, Whelan’s interpretation of Jocelyn Clarke’s dramaturgical direction.
Stepping back out onto Essex Street in buzzy Temple Bar, where ‘everyone’s looking so well’, I’m aware of, and grateful for, a greater understanding of this largely misunderstood condition. My companions and I are also laughing at how disappointed her mother was to discover that Sarah was “not an obsessive organiser” but was in fact, “a hoarder”. That having been compelled to spray herself “16 times with the perfume” Sarah “stank”. And who knew the side effects of psychotropic medications include “vivid dreams and vaginal dryness”.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment in a fab and interesting space. Well done Aisling Smith and crew and brava, Laura Whelan.
Reviewed on 30th May 2023.
