Writer: Pauline Goldsmith
Director: Muireann Kelly
I attended a wake last night, a quintessentially Irish one, held in a chintzy sitting room/parlour featuring overstuffed sofas wearing antimacassars, floral-patterned curtains, and a highly polished coffin centre-stage on a raised dais. We (the audience) shuffled in a queue to greet and sympathise with the daughter of the man who had died, exchanging classic condolences as she proffered sandwiches, tea, or a drop of whiskey. We then assumed our traditional audience seating as Brídín Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh dives into the first character of her one-woman show (a funeral director), featuring a hilarious deconstruction of the material makeup of the coffin (including plastic handles NOT to be relied on). She continues her disclosure by revealing the do’s and don’ts of preparing the body of the deceased, bearing in mind its tendency to puff up and dry out, clearly signalling the play’s dark but warmly humorous approach to death.
Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh continues in similarly irreverent form as she portrays various recognisable characters from Irish life: she deftly assumes the tics and personas of an elderly aunt and other family members, never losing the wry, knowing humour which owes much to Pauline Goldsmith’s 2003 successful playscript, Bright Colours Only. Goldsmith’s original play has been translated to Irish (Gaeilge) with subtitles in English projected onto the back wall of the stage, along with some clever graphics, and as a ‘school-Irish only’ attendee I found it no problem at all to follow the monologue. An Taibhdhearc is the National Irish Language Theatre, situated in the heart of Galway city, and it lends itself very well to the informal setting of Dathanna Geala Amháin. The inclusive approach to the Irish language extends to the staff of An Taibhdhearc and supporting actors, who are all fluent Irish speakers but switch to English if they feel you are struggling. No one should be intimidated or put off by the fact that the play is spoken in Irish, this production is accessible to everyone, no matter their proficiency in the language.
Ní Mhaoldomhnaigh is a warm funny host who makes the dark subject matter gently hilarious and has the confidence and presence to carry the one woman show with apparent ease. She speaks with Donegal Irish, which sounds very lyrical. Further Ulster connections with the playwright Goldsmith’s Belfast roots emerge in a tangential theme touching on the Northern Irish troubles. Muireann Kelly, the artistic director of An Taibhdhearc, has very effectively fused some audience interaction with the strictures of a traditional staged set; if you want to opt out of taking part (or have physical restrictions on climbing steps) you can do so. A delightful and unique surprise at the conclusion of the play sends the audience away with a smile and an opportunity for a post-show chat with fellow funeral attendees. Recommended for its humour, humanity and inclusivity!
Runs Until 10th May 2025.
