Writer: Jimmy Murphy
Director: Lee Coffey
This one-man tour-de-force play explores superbly loss and bereavement, and its impact on a solitary gay man whose life changes utterly when he loses his soulmate and partner tragically in a violent altercation on a Dublin street.
Actor Luke Griffin uses all the qualities of great acting to immerse us in his fractured, lonely world. Griffin’s voice is as restless and significant as his emotional expression. It is intertwined with the stark reality of his world when he recounts his story before appearing in court as a crime victim.
The playwright carefully plans the pacing and pauses in the writing, using dynamic rhythms to create a sequence of vivid images that accelerate toward a climax. The story’s twist is revealed through the controlled tempo of the performance, guiding the scene to its ending. The persistent tension is shaped by Luke Griffin’s portrayal and Jimmy Murphy’s skill as writer in collaboratively defining what his character represents, especially in a moment where he is overwhelmed by violence and prejudice. This story still resonates strongly in contemporary Dublin.
Leo Coffey’s clear direction offers the audience more than just a random story told by a stranger. It provides us with a piece that has form and a definitive meaning; a collection of impressions so carefully arranged that they leave a mark on the mind and memory.
Lighting designed by Eoin Byrne and graphic design by Mark Griffin support the actor, playwright, and director in delivering a fully rounded piece of theatre.
Jimmy Murphy’s author’s note says
Theatre, after all, has its own way of remembering; all we have to do is give it the means to continue.
The performance and the play will remain in my memory for a long time.
Runs Until 29th Nov 2025.
