Writer: Colm Keegan & Loughlinstown, Ballybrack and Shanganagh Men’s Shed
Before What Are We Waiting For? begins, Colm Keegan addresses the audience, explaining the inspiration for the work. Keegan is an award-winning writer and facilitator at the Loughlinstown, Ballybrack and Shanganagh Men’s Shed, and worked with its members over several months to create the piece, based on their own experiences and feelings. He acknowledged the importance of being involved with the Dublin Fringe, but also wryly commented that “this is the fringe of Irish theatre”. He was correct in more ways than one, as Loughlinstown Community Rooms is a considerable distance from the city centre, and the experiences of middle-aged working-class men is rarely if ever presented on the stage in Dublin. Their show is perhaps a model for community theatre, as it was funny, relevant, and expressed considerable emotional depth.
The performers were all members of the shed, not professional or even aspiring actors, so a certain amount of verbal and physical awkwardness was to be expected. Set in a doctor’s waiting room, though, the piece instantly and deftly addressed its themes. Three men are waiting to be seen, and as it happens, they have been overbooked, and so must wait – for God knows how long. There are echoes of everything from Waiting for Godot and The Connection to The Royle Family, as the men pass the time, share their experiences, get angry, get morose, and talk about everything and nothing.
The frustrations they feel are evidently based in their own lives – the difficulty in communicating, the inadequacy of medical and mental health services, detached administrative staff, and the absence of social spaces for men outside of the pub. These come to a head with Jimmy, the calmer and more articulate of the three men, who repeatedly does magic tricks to try and build camaraderie with the others. He decides to go for a walk to the local quarry, practically daring the others to stage an intervention.
The background radio provides prompts to the conversation, with humour provided by actors performing satirical radio ads in between scenes. All are well-received by the audience, most of whom know the actors and members of the shed. This genuine community atmosphere, warm, affectionate, and caring, shows there is impressive work being done in the LBS Men’s Shed. Keegan and its members deserve huge praise, as performing in front of your community is far more stressful than doing so to an audience of strangers. This production is a triumph, and shows that we should all look to the fringes a bit more often.
Runs Until 21st Sept 2025.
