The Irish...and how they got that way!
Thu, 11 Jan 2001, 05:58 pmWalter Plinge2 posts in thread
The Irish...and how they got that way!
Thu, 11 Jan 2001, 05:58 pmI saw this show at the Playhouse, Victorian Arts Centre, Melbourne on 29/12/00 and thoroughly enjoyed it. It is I suppose a narrative play with songs and dancing, originally by Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes) and adapted for Australia by WA's Graham Pitts (Emma - Celebrazione!).
There were 4 main actors (including golden-voiced WAAPA 94 graduate Ben Harkin) plus an ensemble of 4 plus 4 musicians onstage virtually throughout. It did seem that while some of the cast were chosen for their acting ability, others were obviously chosen for their singing or dancing skills, however I did find the end result quite seamless and impressive.
The storyline I found quite moving, running as it did through the history of Irish immigration with all its tragedies and triumphs, tears and tittilations, although my companion (a Curtin Theatre graduate) felt that it was too didactic and more representational use could have been made of the acting talent at hand. The musical arrangement was excellent - it's great to hear all those wonderful Irish tunes played by skilled musicians in a venue other than a noisy bar. The choreography was also very good, albeit not quite Flatley.
In all, I felt it was a worthwhile theatrical experience and the sort of show that could be picked up done well by any of several WA companies, apart from the obvious one!
There were 4 main actors (including golden-voiced WAAPA 94 graduate Ben Harkin) plus an ensemble of 4 plus 4 musicians onstage virtually throughout. It did seem that while some of the cast were chosen for their acting ability, others were obviously chosen for their singing or dancing skills, however I did find the end result quite seamless and impressive.
The storyline I found quite moving, running as it did through the history of Irish immigration with all its tragedies and triumphs, tears and tittilations, although my companion (a Curtin Theatre graduate) felt that it was too didactic and more representational use could have been made of the acting talent at hand. The musical arrangement was excellent - it's great to hear all those wonderful Irish tunes played by skilled musicians in a venue other than a noisy bar. The choreography was also very good, albeit not quite Flatley.
In all, I felt it was a worthwhile theatrical experience and the sort of show that could be picked up done well by any of several WA companies, apart from the obvious one!