☆★★★★ Good Gracious, Good Friday
Philip
Catherwood's new play, Good Gracious, Good Friday takes place on 22 May 1998.
This was the day that the result of the vote on the Good Friday Agreement
Referendum was announced.
Set in
Belfast, Northern Ireland, we meet ‘four, mostly hung-over, twenty-somethings
(who didn't vote) come together, to use the historic outcome as an excuse to
drink all over again. Although they claim they have no interest in "that
boring news on the telly" - as the night draws on, their true feelings for
their country, and each other, will be revealed'.
Ciaran and
Eva are long-term flatmates used to watching endless daytime television.
Everything from Rug Rats, Catchphrase to Supermarket Sweep as they recover from
hanging hangovers in anticipation of doing it again with horrendous concoctions
of random alcohol. As Eva expects a visit from her friend Megan, she struggles
to recover from the previous night's excesses when Donal, Ciaran's friend also
arrives. This is a heady melange of characters set against the backdrop of the
referendum result, whether they voted or not, coded identification of religion
and ultimately relationships - even the unspoken concept of love.
And all
this in a short 70 minutes!
Conor O'Kane
and Katrina McKeever as Ciaran and Eva cleverly set up the story as long-term
flatmates. Their performances are beautifully paced, with some cleverly nuanced
scenes with genuinely laugh-out-loud moments. Their comic timing is exemplary,
yet also betrays sensitive warmth as they deal with each other's inbuilt
frustrations, confusing relationship status - maybe even verging towards love?
Sharon Duffy
and Mario McEntee as Megan and Donal cleverly extend the dynamic of the group
with some sharp dialogue and even sharper performances. Both skillfully act as
catalysts for discussion of the three Rs - religion, referendum and
relationships.
Jessica
Arden's direction maintains a positively breathless, even at times farce-like
quality – no criticism intended. She smartly explores Catherwood's erudite,
funny and unquestionably relevant exposition of youth at the time of the Good
Friday agreement. All in all, decidedly talented, cohesive acting from a
compelling ensemble.
Sadly Good
Gracious, Good Friday is only playing for three performances. But I feel sure this
will not be the last time we hear of it, and it will undoubtedly be back –
soon!
Good
Gracious, Good Friday
plays at the White Bear Theatre, Kennington
until 19 October 2019
plays at the White Bear Theatre, Kennington
until 19 October 2019
For tickets,
click here https://www.whitebeartheatre.co.uk/whatson/Good-Gracious%2C-Good-Friday
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