It’s always a risk to turn up for a show with high expectations based on a company’s previous success, especially one like the M Boat which gained an enviable reputation and an Argus Angel at last year’s Fringe. Set in Dublin, M Boat had a distinctive Irish flavour, yet was broadly accessible. Not so Eddie Alford’s latest production, which satirises Irish society on the eve of economic growth beginning around 1995, known as the Celtic Tiger.
The show is very well performed and notwithstanding loud music which travels up through the floor from the pub, it’s not difficult to maintain interest: the characters are larger than life, it’s humorous and contains amusing scenes from pig racing to the confession box - although the use of slides to situate the characters unfortunately competed, unsuccessfully, with bright stage lights and were pretty much lost to us.
Sadly it’s a bit like going to see, say, a Brecht play without prior preparation – it might be engaging to watch, and obviously cleverly written, but without an understanding of the relevant political climate of Ireland, it’s largely elusive as a commentary. In this case the play succeeds on cheap laughs directed at Irish stereotypes, which frankly felt a bit non-PC. Curiously, the largely Irish audience did not appear to be laughing any more than anyone else.
There’s no doubt this is a well-written, intelligent satire but it’s not for everyone. Ironically, it’s quite possibly ahead of its time to be appreciated for what it is.
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