Writer: Meade Conway
Director: Sally Hennessy
The subject of the play: a scandal within a school, one of the boys is suddenly shunned by the others. Ms Turley grows increasingly concerned, particularly as her son Tommy is at risk of being next. It’s never revealed to the audience what the scandal is. It felt like a relief that it was never named, as it’s difficult to imagine the playwright could’ve handled anything like the abuses within schools with the degree of sensitivity and gravity that would be required. Unfortunately this play is more like a thin sketch, a vague outline of what the play could be.
The script was repetitive and at times dull, struggling to be comical in parts and then rushing into darkness in a way that lacked finesse. The direction by Sally Hennessy was stunted: a sense of deja vu pervaded the piece, such were the basic set ups of each scene.
Despite the uninspiring material, there are some decent performances here. Ben Carolan fits the bill as the weaselly Peter, though he looks far more like a school boy skulking around than a teacher. Eoghan Quinn, who’s stooped stance and ‘earnest’ headmaster Paul is reminiscent of Simon Harris, gives a strong performance. He navigates between soft and sinister well. Senna O’Hara gives a limited performance as Ms Turley, plenty of lip quivering but little substance. It was difficult to determine whether the lack of characterisation was on purpose (women’s voices being silenced as a theme here), or merely accidental. The three actors are distractingly young, and it feels more like watching teenagers playing adults here, which wouldn’t be a problem in another show but for a subject such as this it doesn’t fit.
I’m not sure what the purpose of the flickering lighting between scenes was, but it only served as an irritant. The refrain of Danny Boy which Ms Turley whistles at the beginning of the show, and Paul ends with made me cringe.
An hour is short for any play, however I was checking my watch as the time ticked on wondering when something of note would be said or done.
Ran Until September 4th 2024.
The Review's Hub Score
Needs development
