Writer & Director: Joe Wright
Colombia March is a show of perfect absurdity. From the moment Eoin O’Sullivan steps onto the stage to introduce the piece and remind the audience to turn off their phones the farce begins, to the point where this reviewer is still not sure if the plan is to eventually have more actors or to always have O’Sullivan madcap as every character other than Joe Wright’s delightful Ger. The level of energy in the show, particularly from Wright himself, is absolutely incredible; the momentum is breakneck and the urgency builds to an uncomfortable level by the end of the play, it’s extremely engrossing. Alongside this it’s hilarious, there are frequent roars of laughter from the audience and it sometimes feels as if Wright or O’Sullivan may join in. Whether due to the intimacy of the space in Bewley’s Café Theatre or the opening gag that O’Sullivan is part of the performance only tonight or even the nature of the text and Wright’s storytelling, there is a really endearing connection between audience and performers and it feels as if we’re in on the joke, in the best way possible.
The set is non-existent, and there are minimal props. Wright has gone for Fishamble’s “show in a bag” system for this piece with the idea that it could be packed up and brought anywhere, which feels completely possible. It’s easy to imagine this show being performed anywhere, not only in any theatre, but truly anywhere – on the side of the road, in a park, wherever you like. Wright’s energy and fairly impressive projection skills would serve him well and with only a mop and an inflatable dinghy needed to set the scenes it would certainly be achievable. That said, Bewley’s is a fantastic venue for it, not only because of the intimacy mentioned above but also because of the space itself; Wright and O’Sullivan make use of the three actor entrance points to great comedic effect and the technical work from Tessa Brewer and Claire McLoughlin creates atmosphere and makes the unbelievable scenes slightly more believable.
O’Sullivan is a fantastic everyman in this piece; his expressions, timing, physicality, and frantic energy bring so much comedy to the show and he is truly delightful to watch. However, it is obviously Wright who is the powerhouse here; from the clever and witty writing to the glint of barely controlled madness in Ger’s eyes there is really nothing to fault him for, he takes the audience on an hour-long rollercoaster ride of insanity and it’s so much fun to be a part of. Truly one to watch.
Runs until 23rd September 2023.
