Tag Archives: Peacock Theatre

Rising – Review

Dublin Youth Theatre

Peacock Theatre

19/8/16

rising

Some productions are made for the stage. Dublin Youth Theatre’s Rising, though it takes place in the Peacock, and with great success, is not one of those productions. This show, developed by Helena Enright, Tom Creed and the cast, is the sort of production that should stop the traffic on O’Connell Street, interrupt the feeding of ducks in Stephen’s Green or stir up the orderly queue at the Tesco checkouts. Described as a “wide-ranging contemporary look at what revolution means to young people now,” this production uses archive material, interviews, iconic songs and the boundless energy of the 20-strong Dublin Youth Theatre cast to awaken a range of ideas and ask vital questions about revolution, youth, art and activism.

In a series of vignettes, working with movement, music and text, the production explores various social issues and political causes through the years, probing the reasons behind why people engage, what makes people care. Decked out in an array of shirts and badges from the Palestinian Freedom Theatre, the Repeal the 8th movement, the Yes Equality campaign, and many others, the cast presents a strong ensemble that, though they may not all be united in the same causes, are powerfully united in their energy and enthusiasm towards taking a stand and making a difference.

Not only do the cast present a strong political energy, they also produce an impressive work in terms of artistic quality. The versatility of the performers, with many doubling as musicians as well as actors, and all engaging in dynamic movement pieces was impressive and engaging. Alongside this, Sarah Jane Shiels’ lighting design is the North Star guiding the energy of the piece, as even the most subtle changes in lighting have a pointed effect on the mood and perfectly parallel the tone of the script.

Rising will make you reconsider any presumptions you may have had about young people’s supposed political apathy, and leave you inescapably and inexhaustibly awake.

 

 

Review – what happens to the hope at the end of the evening

what happensaa

Peacock Theatre.

Dublin Theatre Festival 4/10/2014

This gem of a piece directed by Karl James and performed by Tim Crouch and Andy Smith was a perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon. From the moment Smith walked through the auditorium, sat in his chair and began to speak, I knew I was going to enjoy the show.

Telling the story of an evening between two long time friends who have been apart for some years, the piece examines the changes in each of their lives, the changes in their friendship and in the way they communicate. In doing this, light is also thrown on how we communicate, on how we are present in a space with other people. This was an interesting idea told through a compelling story.

Crouch and Smith delivered top-notch performances. Smith moved between narration and acing out scenes seamlessly and Crouch brought the character of his friend who has lost direction, who hasn’t moved on like Smith’s character, to life with expertise. The two actors bring the characters credibly to life while still maintaining interesting stylistic techniques such as talking to and looking out towards the audience and only rarely looking at each other. These devices are very effectively used to convey the traits of each character; Crouch’s character in his own world, looking beyond the audience and Smith’s more settled, talking to the audience and acting as a bridge between the characters and audience.

The tale of these men’s friendship, of the evening they spend together and the many past spent is further reinforced by moments such as those when Smith asks the audience to shake hands with each other and asks them to take off their shoes. As well as drawing the audience further into the story, these features served to strengthen the ideas of presence and togetherness that were central to the piece.

In terms of design this was a simple piece. However, the fully lit set changes carried out by Crouch were, like every other aspect of the piece, very effective in maintaining and developing the tone of the piece. They meant that the audience was never torn out of the story by a blackout; there was a flow to the piece that gave it a very natural feel despite the unnatural devices such as the positioning of the actors’ gazes.

In short, this piece was a powerful and compelling yet comfortable piece of theatre that drew the audience in from the start and delivered a captivating narrative with startlingly real characters and a potent message.