Writer & Director: Seamus O’Rourke
Seamus O’Rourke is a writer, director, and performer. His latest one-man show, The Sand Park centres on a bereaved father and husband, James Anthony Lowery. Set in the heart of rural Ireland in County Offaly, Lowery, a recently widowed famer sits on a bench before two graves, one recently dug, one older. While sipping tea from a thermos flask, he launches into his daily tête-à-tête with two members of his family. His son, who several years previously was killed instantly in a car accident, and his recently deceased beloved wife, Rose.
The field where he sits is called The Sand Park and is part of his land. It is a place he visits every evening after dinner: his coping mechanism for grief. Lowery tells them all the news including how he is trying to cope with looking after his two teenage daughters. He reminisces over old times, revisiting fond memories through his repartee, stories, and incidents from the past. Depictions of relations, neighbours, and friends capture the essence of the importance of community in rural Ireland. Physicality and personality traits are nuanced and realistic. Characters are colourful and larger than life.
A raconteur about rural everyday life, Lowery’s anecdotes are injected with often dark humour. Stories are replete with that type of gallows humour that is often used when dealing with sad or sensitive issues, such as death or illness. Like the time a bevy of local ‘Good Samaritan’ women from the women’s association visited his home intent on making him feel better. In fact, they spoiled his plans of a relaxing night watching football. Part of his monologue also included a lively and realistic sports commentary of his late son hurling at Croke park. In his musings, Lowery also sends himself up with self-deprecatory remarks that are wittily funny. There is a devilment to this character, he is a lovable rogue.
This self-directed solo piece is essentially a graveside reflection. O’Rourke has a wonderful stage presence and voice, including a singing voice – he sang a lovely rendition of My Lovely Rose of Clare as part of his performance. His timing and pacing worked well; the phrasing ebbed and flowed with a pitch-perfect resonance.
From the beginning, O’Rourke, an accomplished performer, both captivates and captures his audience’s attention in this powerful piece. It would be so easy to veer into mawkishness in this work about one man’s double tragedy, but O’Rourke never allows that to happen. Sensitively performed, there was just enough poignancy to be believable.
The Sand Park is about the importance of community in rural life and the centrality of the family unit. James Anthony Lowery will always have his wife and son close to him. Familial bonds go beyond the grave. They are everlasting.
Runs Until 22nd April 2023.
The Review's Hub Score
Tender
