Translator: Brídín Nic Dhonncha
Director: Muireann Kelly
An Fathach Leithleasach, based on Oscar Wilde’s The Selfish Giant, is brought to stage in
An Taibhdhearc by the theatre’s creative team. The play is primarily for children but adults too will enjoy this magical retelling of Wilde’s poignant tale of nature turning against a giant who banishes children from his garden. As someone who loves this story (and can never get through it without tears), it was difficult to imagine how it would translate to stage, particularly given the sweep of time and changing of the seasons that are key to the original. However, An Taibhdhearc have succeeded in staying largely faithful to Wilde’s storyline, retaining a poignant theme while introducing music, dance and singing in this heartwarming magical performance.
Key to the success of the production is the stage design, dearthóir stáitse/set designer Saoirse O’Shea has brought the wonder of a flourishing garden into the theatre: we meet an owl, bees, birds and a seriously terrifying spider, trees lose their leaves during the harsh winter and regain them with the coming of Spring. O’Shea’s set is beautifully lit (by dearthóir soilsiúcháin/lighting designer Sarah Jane Shiels), the changing of the seasons and the rhythm of day and night are heralded by different hues and tones with a magnificent moon rising as the performance ends. More could possibly have been made of Denis Clohessy’s sound effects for the frost, snow and north wind – louder would have been more impactful – but his composing throughout is uplifting, while the dancers/singers playing the elements are impressively evil and witchy.
Oscar Wilde, played by Eoin Ó Dubhghaill, features as a narrator, leading us through the story and cleverly allowing for exposition when required. He and Orlaith Ní Chearra who plays a síog (fairy) are excellent at interacting with the audience of young people, deftly capturing attention with their physical play and panto-like clowning. There are children performing children on stage too, all excellent singers and dancers while an fathach leithleasach (the giant) is played more for humour than scares by Séamus Hughes, who insults the audience of ‘smelly children’, to their delight. The entire performance is in the Irish language but An Taibhdhearc are using a phone App which can be downloaded for closed captioning in English or Irish and there are shows with integrated signing and relaxed shows (see their website). An Fathach Leithleasach is great fun, heart-warming and beautifully staged, perfect Christmas fare for everyone!
Runs Until Dec 19th 2025.
